Barishal, Jul 13 (V7N) — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that the government will plant 250 million trees across Bangladesh over the next five years as part of a nationwide afforestation campaign aimed at improving the environment and increasing the country's forest cover.
He made the announcement on Monday while inaugurating a tree plantation programme in Gournadi Upazila of Barishal during his first official visit to the division since assuming office.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh still lacks the required number of trees and stressed that planting alone is not enough.
"It is not sufficient to only plant trees; they must also be properly cared for so they can grow and benefit future generations," he said.
Recalling the initiatives of late President Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister said the former president had introduced nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation programmes, and that the current government is reviving those initiatives.
He said that as the newly planted trees mature, they will improve air quality and contribute to a healthier environment.
"People will be able to breathe cleaner air when these trees grow. To make our communities and the country greener and more beautiful, we must plant more trees and ensure their proper maintenance," he added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed his Gulshan residence in Dhaka by road shortly after 6:00 a.m. and arrived in Barishal at around 10:00 a.m.
According to his schedule, the Prime Minister will also participate in separate tree plantation programmes in the Trish Godown slaughterhouse area and the adjacent Sagardi area in Barishal city. In the afternoon, he is expected to exchange views with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy.
This marks Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first official visit to Barishal Division since taking office as the head of government.
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