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Country Profile: Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south. It is one of the world's most densely populated countries, Poverty is deep and widespread; almost half of the population live on less than one dollar a day.
Capital: Dhaka
Population: 150,448,339
Population below national poverty line: 45%
Life expectancy: 62.81. years (male), 62.86 years (female)
GDP: $209.2 billion
GDP per capita: $1,400
Religion: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%
Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being only in 1971, when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter civil war, Bangladesh spent 15 years under military rule and, is now a democracy. In recent years political tensions have spilled over into violence and hundreds of people have been killed.
Bóthar in Bangladesh: Bóthar began working in Bangladesh in 2007 with tree planting and environment protection projects.
Bangladesh Project Profile
Project Title: Economic Growth and Environmental Restoration Tree-Planting Project
Location: Sirajgonj District, Bangladesh
Total number of families: 100 schools will be targeted, with an average 300-400 pupils per school
Animals: 3-4 Trees per pupil (mahogany, mango, lemon, jack fruit and shegun)
Other inputs: N/A
Training: 2 trainers will provide instruction on sitting of trees, optimum species selection, preparation of ground, planting procedure, mulching & protection of trees
Brief synopsis of the project: Beacon of Light will tackle the cause of flooding in Bangladesh by providing this tree programme in Sirajgonj District primarily targeting schools. Students will plant the trees on their own home plots.
Pass-on obligations: A cash gift is returned to the project by the beneficiaries over a period of time to form a revolving fund so that a next round of planting can take place.
Expected benefits: The trees will prevent soil erosion; provide fruit, shade and shelter for livestock and building material for houses and livestock units once the plantations are established.
Co-financing partners: N/A
Local partners: Beacon of Light (BOL)
Other relevant data: Funding for BOL is provided for by a group of mainly Irish healthcare professionals within the HSE Southern Region. The Director, Doctor Habib Millat is based in Midleton, Co. Cork.
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