Special Correspondent :
Bangladesh has been grappling with an intense heatwave since April, exacerbated by deforestation and climate change.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that Bangladesh’s annual deforestation rate is nearly double the global average, at 2.6 percent.
Amidst this environmental crisis, the country has recorded its highest temperatures in 50 years, with the mercury soaring to 43.8 degrees Celsius in Jashore and 43.7 degrees in Chuadanga in recent days.
In response, the Bangladeshi government has initiated various measures to combat deforestation and promote reforestation.
As part of these efforts, the government plans to plant at least 8.33 million saplings during the current monsoon season across the nation.
On World Environment Day (June 5), the country will observe a nine-day programme titled ‘Environment and Tree Fair’.
The programme will be organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change. The fair is scheduled to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar ground in the capital.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Ahead of the fair, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, along with Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, briefed journalists on the National Tree Planting Campaign and Tree Fair at the secretariat on Tuesday.
“Trees are being planted on a large scale to preserve the country’s forests, biodiversity, and wildlife,” said Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
“By the year 2030, the country’s tree cover is set to increase from 22.37 percent to 25 percent, and forest cover from 14.1 percent to 16 percent. To this end, the government has continued afforestation and forest conservation, restoration of degraded forests, and sustainable forest management.”
The minister highlighted that from 2009–2010 to 2022–23, a total of 2,17,402 hectares of block plantations and 30,252 kilometres of seedling strip gardens have been created, with 11.21 crore seedlings distributed and planted across the country.
In a recent announcement, the minister detailed a comprehensive afforestation initiative involving multiple government departments.
The Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Health, RAJUK, and Dhaka North and South City Corporations are collaborating to identify areas in Dhaka city for planting trees.
“We have lost green areas and water bodies too. So, we think that these should be included in the main plan for urban development. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
So, it is difficult to find out the places, and we have already started some work in this regard,” the minister stated.
He also mentioned that 140 acres of land in the Purbachal project by RAJUK have been allocated for afforestation.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury emphasised the need to meet minimum environmental requirements to maintain Dhaka’s livability.
The ministry’s secretary highlighted a national effort to plant over 8.33 million saplings during the monsoon season. “The National Forest Survey has been started this year to determine the amount of trees and carbon in forests across the country.
The green belt of Bangabandhu’s dream is being created along the coast through afforestation, dams, and polders in the country.
From 2009 to 2023, about 89,853 hectares of coastal afforestation have been created,” Dr. Farhina Ahmed stated.
She said that from 2009 to 2023, a total of Tk 326,95,46114 has been distributed among 1,60,699 beneficiaries involved in social forestry.
“Coordinated activities have been undertaken to restore encroached forest land. As a result, from October 2020 to April this year, around 30,000 acres of forest land have been freed from encroachment, and afforestation has been completed across the country,” ministry’s secretary said.
According to sources, between 2010 and 2020, the net loss in forests globally was 4.7 million hectares per year. However, deforestation rates were much higher. The UN FAO estimates that 10 million hectares of forest are cut down each year. The annual deforestation rate in Bangladesh is almost double the global average.