Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged every citizen of the country to plant at least one tree to help ensure that future generations can breathe clean air and live in a healthier environment.
“I would like to request everyone in the country, keeping in mind the future of your children so that they can breathe in a clean and healthy environment, please plant a sapling wherever it is possible for you,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while formally inaugurating a nationwide programme in Cox’s Bazar to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years, aiming to strengthen environmental protection and address the impacts of climate change.
“I am formally announcing the launch of this tree plantation campaign. We are inaugurating it. We hope that, Insha’Allah, we will be able to create an environment where our future generations can breathe freely and live in a clean environment,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said if the tree plantation campaign could be made successful, it could be assumed that future generations would be able to breathe clean, pollution-free air in the days ahead.
“Let us ensure a guarantee for our future generations that they will be able to live in a clean and pollution-free environment,” Tarique said.
The Prime Minister also recalled the BNP’s election pledge to launch a nationwide afforestation programme.
“Before the election, we had promised the people that if we were able to form the government with the mercy of Almighty Allah, we would launch a tree plantation programme in the country. Our target is to plant at least five crore saplings every year and 25 crore saplings over the next five years,” he said.
“Let us all work together so that we can transform Bangladesh’s air into a much cleaner and purer one in the coming days,” he added.
Calling upon district administrations, the Prime Minister said, “Today, particularly Deputy Commissioners from various parts of the country are connected here. I would like to instruct you all to take initiatives to turn your respective districts into green sanctuaries.”
The Prime Minister inaugurated the programme by planting a sapling of Garjan tree at Malumghat Reserved Forest in Dulahazara under Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila at around 2:55pm.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and other ministers and lawmakers also planted saplings of 11 different species during the event.
PM inaugurates nationwide programme to plant 25 crore saplings
Upon reaching the tree plantation venue, the Prime Minister greeted hundreds of people assembled there by waving at them.
Officials said a total of 1,180 saplings of indigenous tree species will be planted in the forest in the first phase of the programme.
The ruling BNP had pledged in its election manifesto to plant 25 crore trees across the country within five years after coming to power. Saturday’s inauguration marked the formal start of implementing that commitment.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo presided over the event.
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, among others, were present.