Dhaka: Prime Minister's Political Adviser and Chairman of the '250 Million Trees in Five Years' Cell, Nazrul Islam Khan, emphasized the need for inclusive participation in the nationwide tree plantation programme, aiming to transform it into a social movement. Speaking at the fourth meeting of the cell at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he highlighted the importance of involving all societal segments, including women, youth, students, and rural communities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nazrul Islam Khan outlined the programme's ambitious target of planting 514,889,300 saplings by 2026, in line with the government's election pledge. This target involves collaboration across various ministries, divisions, and agencies, with nearly 43 percent of the goal already achieved. He urged those lagging to accelerate plantation activities, especially during the current monsoon season.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo reiterated the necessity of not only planting trees but also ensuring their post-plantation care, protection, and effective monitoring. He called for enhanced capacity in nurseries and adherence to the "Right Tree, Right Place" principle, prioritizing indigenous species and economically beneficial trees like coconut, palm, date, and areca nut.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam announced plans to plant 20 million trees in coastal areas during December and January, aiming to meet this year's target by next January. Additionally, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez advocated for an action plan to create over 350,000 green jobs through the programme, involving women, youth, and rural communities, while nurturing new nursery entrepreneurs.
The meeting also focused on the development of a "Tree Monitoring App" designed to digitally track tree data, including GPS-based locations, species information, and maintenance records. This app is expected to facilitate monitoring of tree survival rates and plantation progress, offering real-time reporting through a national dashboard.
Other attendees included Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary Shamima Begum, and Technical Expert Prof. Dr. Md. Nurul Islam.