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PM Sheikh Hasina Launches Massive Tree Plantation Campaign to Combat Climate Change in Bangladesh

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Salman Akhtar
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PMHasina initiates extensive tree planting drive to mitigate climate change in Bangladesh
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Image Credit: Dhaka Tribune

On World Environment Day 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh expressed a compelling plea for her countrymen to join in the fight against climate change. Addressing the nation, she emphasized the vital importance of individual action to safeguard the environment, asking each citizen to plant at least one tree, ideally three.

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Call to Action

In her speech, PM Hasina elucidated the significant role every citizen can play in protecting their homeland from the severe consequences of climate change. She urged all Bangladeshis, young and old, to contribute by planting trees in every available space, highlighting the essential role of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also suggested that such action would not only be beneficial in countering climate change but would also help enhance food security amid rising global commodity prices, as the trees could bear fruit, provide shelter and bolster local economies.

The Prime Minister inaugurated three major initiatives: the Environment Fair-2023, the National Tree Plantation Campaign, and the Tree Fair-2023, as a part of her broader environmental strategy. She used the occasion to inspire her countrymen to replicate her action: “Since today is World Environment Day, I planted trees. I hope all (the people) of Bangladesh follow it (to plant trees),” she said.

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(Read also: PM Sheikh Hasina Addresses Global Crises and Bangladesh’s Mitigation Efforts Amid Rising Uncertainties)

Looking to the Future

PM Hasina noted that the government has been implementing an extensive tree plantation program, aimed at beautifying and developing Bangladesh while mitigating the effects of climate change. She spoke about the Awami League's longstanding commitment to environmental preservation, tracing the party's engagement in tree plantation back to 1985. She indicated that the party's leaders and activists had been tasked with planting a mix of timber, fruit, and herbal trees, in an effort to diversify the ecosystem.

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She reiterated her party’s pledge to continue this campaign every year, launching it on the first day of the Bangla month Ashar, as has been the tradition in previous years.

(Read Also: Bangladeshi Prime Minister Criticizes U.S. Visa Restrictions, Calls for Self-Reliance)

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 also present at the event.

The Environment Fair 2023 and Tree Fair 2023 are ongoing, with a short break planned for Eid-ul-Azha. They are held at Sher-e Bangla Nagar and are open for visitors daily from 10am to 8pm.

World Environment Day 2023 has been celebrated globally under the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution".

climateaction climatechange TreePlanting BNNBangladesh EnvironmentDay
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