Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the people to plant trees to protect Bangladesh from the adverse impacts of climate change.
“I would like to urge all to save the environment because we must offset the impacts of climate change in Bangladesh,” she said to mark World Environment Day 2023.
She also inaugurated the Environment Fair-2023, National Tree Plantation Campaign, and Tree Fair-2023.
“Since today is World Environment Day, I planted trees. I hope all (the people) of Bangladesh follow it (to plant trees),” she said.
The prime minister said the government has been implementing the tree plantation program on a massive scale so that Bangladesh would be more beautiful and developed.
“I want Bangladesh to face no sort of damage from climate change. So, I ask all to plant trees,” she added.
She asked the people to plant trees in every available place and to bring every area under production to grow fruits, vegetables, and others amid the global price hike of commodities.
Noting that many developed countries are also struggling due to the high global inflation, she said the government would continue efforts to protect the country's people.
“I would like to request each of the citizens to plant three trees and, if possible, plant at least one tree,” said the prime minister. She asked the students to plant trees on the premises of their schools, colleges, and universities.
Hasina said her party – Bangladesh Awami League — started a tree plantation program in 1985, taking its decision in 1984. Bangladesh Krishak League has been implementing the program too. She said that every Awami League leader and activist was given the order to plant at least three trees of wood, fruit, and herbal.
The Awami League president said her party would start the tree plantation campaign on the first day of Bangla month Ashar as it did in previous years.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Deputy Minister for Environment Habibun Nahar, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed were present at the event.
The environment fair will be held at Sher-e Bangla Nagar adjacent to Bangabandhu International Conference Centre from Monday to June 11. The fair is open for visitors from 10 am to 8 pm daily.
The tree fair 2023 is held from Monday to June 26 and July 1 to July 12, keeping a 4-day break due to Eid-ul-Azha.
World Environment Day 2023 is being celebrated with the theme of “Solutions to plastic pollution” throughout the globe.
Source: DT
