Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a landmark plan to plant 25 crore saplings nationwide over the next five years to combat the adverse effects of climate change and protect environmental balance.
He outlined the massive eco-friendly master plan while inaugurating the National Tree Plantation Program in Gournadi, Barishal on Monday (July 13).
The Prime Minister made the announcement after launching the plantation drive next to the newly excavated Sorikol Canal in Batajor union under Gournadi upazila in Barishal district.
He said that the country does not have the required amount of trees. Therefore, 25 crore saplings will be planted across the country over the next five years.
The Prime Minister said that due to climate change, rainfall patterns have currently changed. It is now raining more than before. Therefore, there is no alternative to extensive tree plantation to maintain ecological balance.
He said that it is not enough to just plant saplings, but their proper care must also be ensured.
Emphasizing the importance of taking care of every tree alongside tree plantation to keep the country beautiful and livable, he further said that "we have to fix our own country ourselves, no one from the outside will come and fix it for us."
Earlier, Prime Minister Tariq Rahman left for Barishal by road on Monday morning for a one-day visit. The Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary, Atiqur Rahman Rumon, said that as part of the visit, he participated in separate tree plantation programs next to the newly excavated Sorikol canal in Batajor union of Gournadi, at the Trish Godown mass graveyard area in Barishal district headquarters, and in the Sagardi area adjacent to Trish Godown.
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