25cr trees to combat climate change

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has said the government is working to save at least 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years to address climate change risks and maintain environmental balance.

He said 30 crore to 32 crore saplings will be planted during the period to replace trees that may be damaged by natural disasters or other causes.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a tree plantation programme at Nayabazar Degree College in Keraniganj upazila on Thursday morning.

“We are working with this slogan in mind: ‘We will beautify the country with tree plantation, Bangladesh first’,” Faridul said.

He said the ministry is directly monitoring the number of trees being planted as well as whether they are being properly cared for and maintained.

Recalling his experience of visiting Cox’s Bazar, Faridul 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.

Referring to the rise in temperature caused by climate change, he said Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Increasing tree plantation at the family level is therefore important to help check temperature rises and maintain normal rainfall, he added.

Faridul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced the “One Child, One Tree” programme, under which each student will plant a sapling and nurture it.

The state minister also stressed the need for environmental cleanliness and urged people to stop using polythene. “We should develop the habit of using dustbins instead of throwing garbage or tissues on roadsides,” he said.

He also called for an end to the use of single-use polythene at grocery shops, fruit shops and kitchen markets. Reducing the use of non-biodegradable polythene would help address waterlogging and plastic pollution to a large extent, he said.

Speaking as a special guest, Alhaj Aman Ullah Aman, MP from Dhaka-2, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken a five-year plan to plant 25 crore trees. As part of the plan, five crore trees will be planted this year, 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 at the venue.