Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 5, 2023) urged the people to plant trees in a bid to protect Bangladesh from the adverse impacts of climate change.

 “I would like to urge all to save the environment because it is our duty to offset the impacts of climate change in Bangladesh,” she said after three saplings on the Ganabhaban premises to mark the World Environment Day 2023.

She also inaugurated the Environment Fair-2023, National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair-2023 on the occasion.

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“Since today is World Environment Day, I planted trees. I hope all (the people) of Bangladesh follow it (to plant trees),” she said.

The PM said they have been implementing the tree plantation programme on a massive scale so that Bangladesh would be more beautiful and developed.

“I want Bangladesh to face no sort of damage from climate change. So, I ask all to plant trees,” she added.

She asked the people to plant trees in every available place and to bring every area under production to grow fruits, vegetables and others amid the global price hike of commodities.

Noting that many developed countries are also struggling due to the global high inflation, she said the government will continue efforts to protect the people of the country.

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“I would like to request each of the citizens to plant three trees and if not possible, plant at least one tree,” said the prime minister.

She asked the students to plant trees on the premises of their schools, colleges and universities.

 Hasina said her party –Bangladesh Awami League— started a tree plantation programme in 1985, taking its decision in 1984.  Bangladesh Krishak League has been implementing the programme too. Every AL leader and activist was given an order to plant at least three trees of wood, fruit and herbal, she said.

Read more: 16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city.

The AL president said her party will start the tree plantation campaign on the first day of Bangla month Ashar as it did in the previous years.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Deputy Minister for Environment Habibun Nahar, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Environment Secretary  Farhina Ahmed were present at the event.

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The environment fair is being held at Sher-e Bangla Nagar adjacent to Bangabandhu International Conference Centre from June 05 to 11. The fair is open for visitors from 10am to 8pm every day.

The tree fair 2023 is being held from June 5 to June 26 and July 1 to July 12, keeping a 4-day break due to Eid-ul Azha.  

The World Environment Day 2023 is being celebrated with the theme of “Solutions to plastic pollution” throughout the globe.

Read more: LankaBangla tree plantation programme held at Sheikh Hasina Software Park