Bangladesh launches plan to plant 250 million trees over five years

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman launched Bangladesh’s five-year programme to plant 250 million trees, beginning in Cox’s Bazar, aiming to expand forest cover, protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday launched a nationwide programme to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, marking the start of an ambitious afforestation drive aimed at strengthening environmental protection and tackling the impacts of climate change.

The programme was formally inaugurated at around 2:55 pm at the Malumghat Reserved Forest in Dulahazara under Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, where the Prime Minister planted a sapling of a Garjan tree, according to UNB.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and other ministers and lawmakers joined the event by planting saplings of 11 different species.

Upon arriving at the plantation site, the Prime Minister greeted hundreds of local residents gathered there, waving to the crowd.

Officials said 1,180 saplings of indigenous tree species will be planted in the forest during the first phase of the programme.

The large-scale plantation initiative stems from a commitment made by the ruling BNP in its election manifesto to plant 25 crore trees nationwide within five years after assuming office. Saturday’s event marked the formal commencement of the pledge’s implementation.

Following its landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election and the formation of the government, the BNP administration began introducing pilot initiatives across the country. These included the Family Card programme in Korail slum in Dhaka, the Farmers’ Card initiative in Tangail and the ‘Nutan Kuri Sports’ programme in Sylhet.

The Prime Minister also introduced honorarium schemes for imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths, alongside stipends and sports cards for athletes under various social protection measures.

According to officials, the afforestation campaign will be implemented over five years under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The first phase targets the plantation of 1.5 crore saplings across 149 upazilas in 49 districts.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo presiding over the event.

Among those present were Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam and Environment Secretary Raihan Kawser.

A munajat was offered at the conclusion of the programme, with prayers for the success of the nationwide tree plantation initiative.