The government has announced an extensive plan to plant 25 crore trees across Bangladesh over the next five years, prioritising environmental conservation and biodiversity protection, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a discussion held at the Forest Department in Agargaon to mark World Wildlife Day 2026, the minister highlighted the government’s ‘National green mission,’ a five-point plan introduced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman aimed at preserving forests, wildlife, and the environment,according to a press release.
This year’s World Wildlife Day theme was “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
As part of the initiative, nearly 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals will be dredged or restored to protect aquatic biodiversity and maintain ecological balance. Measures to gradually phase out harmful plastics and toxic industrial chemicals will be implemented, alongside eco-friendly alternatives.
In response to climate change, saline-tolerant agricultural systems will be promoted in southern regions, and sustainable infrastructure will be developed. Environmental education on biodiversity will be integrated into school curricula to foster awareness among future generations.
The minister also recalled the country’s past efforts, including the nationwide canal dredging and tree plantation campaigns launched by former president Ziaur Rahman in 1977, which laid the foundation for the current Forest Department’s Environmental Pollution Control Project.
Under the plan, about 200 hectares of mangrove plantations will be established in coastal and island areas of Chattogram, Bhola, and Patuakhali to create protective green belts.
Social forestry programmes will see 11 lakh saplings planted along roads, highways, and embankments, with maintenance entrusted to local communities, who will also benefit financially from the sale of matured trees.
Citizens are encouraged to plant forest, fruit, and medicinal trees at home, including areca nut, mango, mahogany, kadam, mahua, bahera, arjun, neem, haritaki, jackfruit, and chalata.
State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam emphasised the vital role of wildlife in maintaining biodiversity in the Sundarbans and warned against illegal practices such as poisoning fish. He called for inter-ministerial coordination to strengthen forest conservation and wildlife protection.
The event was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury and attended by Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, IUCN Bangladesh Country Representative Bipasha S Hossain, retired chief conservator Ishteyak Uddin Ahmed, and other officials.
Presentations were made by Prof Sheikh Bakhtiar Uddin, vice-chancellor of Meherpur University, and Deputy Chief Conservator Md Zahidul Kabir.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Forest Department, Department of Environment, environmental experts, university students, and media representatives were also present at the programme.
