Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday wondered if natural gas would be safe in the hands of present government that came to power "giving an undertaking of selling out gas."

"This government, which has no concern for the nation, can do anything to hold on to power," she said, calling upon the people to decide whether gas would be utilised for removing poverty or sold

out to others to make the nation resource-less.

Addressing a discussion meeting at Jatiya Press Club on the occasion of World Environment Day, Hasina suggested that instead of handing over the country's gas resources to others, it should be used for national development.

Awami League organised the discussion to create awareness among the people about environment pollution and to protect the environment for the survival of all.

This year's slogan for the day is "Give Earth A Chance".

The Awami League chief said the developed countries are prone to preserving their natural resources by going for the resources of the poor countries. "We've a little gas and everyone's eyes are on that scanty resource."

She said only two to three per cent of the population are using gas in Bangladesh when some quarters suggest exporting gas to earn Tk 1,000 crore per year.

"If we export fresh vegetables, poultry, meat and processed foods, we will be able to earn Tk 2 to 3 thousand crore a year," she said urging the people to produce organic agricultural products for capturing foreign markets.

There is a good scope for economic development by exporting agricultural products, Hasina said mentioning that her government had taken massive initiatives to set up agro-based industries in the country.

Gas is also necessary for agrobased industries, she said, adding that her government had installed gas line over the Bangabandhu Bridge on river Jamuna to supply gas to the northern region having the prospect of setting up agrobased industries.

Referring to the signing of his-

toric Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India, Hasina said: "Through this treaty, we've realised our legitimate share of the Ganges water... this stopped the ominous desertification process in the northern region."

"And because of this treaty, the necessary quantum of water flows to Bangladesh through the Ganges, which also solved the problem of salinity in the Sundarbans," she said.

She said salinity used to badly affect the mangrove forest and also created problem for the reproduction of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger.

The former Prime Minister mentioned the steps that were taken by her government in controlling environment pollution for the preservation of forests and ensuring pure water.

She said her party has a special programme on tree planting and urged her party leaders and workers to plant at least three trees one fruit bearing, one for timber and one herbal.

Hasina said that to halt misuse of natural resources, it is essential to have a patriotic and people-oriented government, which will not think about its own interest, rather about the welfare of the people.

"If we can utilise our resources in a proper way, we will be able to develop ourselves and make the country rich and prosperous," she added.

Presided over by former Environment and Forest Minister Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, the meeting was also addressed by Awami League leaders Zillur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Abdul Jalil, Motia Chowdhury, and HN Ashiqur Rahman. Awami League Health Secretary Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin conducted the function.