Play store
The government aims to protect at least 25 crore trees across Bangladesh over the next five years as part of efforts to tackle climate change, combat rising temperatures and maintain environmental balance, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said on Tuesday.
He said the government plans to plant around 30 crore to 32 crore saplings during the period to replace trees lost to natural disasters, disease and other causes.
“We are working with this slogan in mind: ‘We will beautify the country with tree plantation, Bangladesh first’,” he said.
The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a tree plantation programme at Nayabazar Degree College in Keraniganj.
Faridul said the ministry was directly monitoring not only the number of trees planted but also whether they were being properly cared for and maintained.
He said the success of tree plantation depended not merely on planting saplings but also on ensuring their survival.
Recalling his recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, the state minister said around 40 lakh saplings had been planted in the district.
“People are planting trees very spontaneously and taking care of them, which is a great hope for us in protecting the environment,” he said.
Faridul stressed the importance of expanding tree cover as Bangladesh faces increasing climate risks, including rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh needs greater participation from families and communities in tree plantation and conservation, he said.
‘One Child, One Tree’ initiative
The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced an “One Child, One Tree” programme under which students will plant and nurture saplings themselves.
He said such initiatives could help develop environmental awareness among the younger generation while increasing the country’s tree cover.
Speaking as a special guest, Dhaka-2 MP Alhaj Aman Ullah Aman said the Prime Minister had adopted a five-year plan to plant 25 crore trees.
As part of the plan, five crore trees would be planted this year, he said.
Faridul also called for greater public awareness about environmental cleanliness and urged people to stop using single-use polythene.
“We should develop the habit of using dustbins instead of throwing garbage or tissues on roadsides,” he said.
He urged grocery shops, fruit shops and kitchen markets to reduce the use of single-use polythene.
“If the use of non-biodegradable polythene is reduced, waterlogging and plastic pollution will be largely addressed,” he said.
The programme was presided over by Dr Lubna Sharmin, president of Bangladesh Rotary International.
Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Umar Faruk, Nayabazar Degree College Principal Abdul Malek, Keraniganj Model Upazila BNP Acting President Md Shamim Hasan, its Joint Secretary Monir Hossain, local political and civil society leaders, teachers and students attended the event.
Later, the guests planted saplings on the college premises.