Highlights
- The government is preparing a Tk 1,500 crore project to plant 25 crore (250 million) trees.
- The programme aims to restore shrinking forest cover and biodiversity.
- Tree plantation will be carried out in phases from 2026 to 2030.
- Coastal areas will receive the largest share, with 10 crore trees planned.
- A digital app named “My Tree Monitoring” will be introduced to track tree growth.
Government Moves to Fulfil Election Pledge
Forest areas and tree cover in Bangladesh have been declining for years. To address this, the BNP promised in its election manifesto to plant 25 crore trees to restore biodiversity and protect the environment. After coming to power, the government is now moving forward to implement that promise through a major project worth Tk 1,500 crore, led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Project to Be Sent to Planning Commission in April
The Forest Department is working quickly to finalize the development project proposal and plans to submit it to the Planning Commission in April. The national tree plantation programme is expected to be officially launched in June, and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to inaugurate the campaign. Forest Conservator (Finance and Administration) RSM Munirul Islam confirmed that the project preparation is currently underway.
Manifesto Promised Jobs and Nurseries
The BNP’s election manifesto included Project to Plant 250 Million Trees but also to:
- Create 10,000 nursery entrepreneurs
- Generate around 600,000 jobs through tree plantation and nursery activities
The manifesto also mentioned using drones for tree plantation in coastal islands and char areas, and planting trees in cities along parks, footpaths, and playgrounds.
Read More: MP Rumeen Farhana Promises Equal Space for Religious and Cultural Programmes
Tree Plantation Targets and Phases
According to Forest Department documents, the plantation programme will be implemented in three phases over five years:
- 2026 (Short-term): 1.5 crore saplings
- 2027–2028 (Mid-term): 13.5 crore saplings
- 2029–2030 (Long-term): 10 crore saplings
The department has already set a target to plant 1.5 crore saplings between March and June this year, including one lakh neem trees.
Digital Monitoring Through ‘My Tree Monitoring’ App
To ensure proper care and survival of planted trees, a digital monitoring system will be introduced through a mobile application called “My Tree Monitoring.” This feature was also part of the BNP’s election manifesto and is expected to help track tree growth and maintenance in real time.
Where the Trees Will Be Planted
The 25 crore tree plantation programme has been divided into six sectors, considering geographical, environmental, and socio-economic factors:
Coastal Areas to Get the Largest Share
- 10 crore trees (40%) will be planted in coastal regions
- This includes newly emerged chars, degraded coastal forests, and green belt development
Hill and Sal Forest Restoration
- 5 crore trees (20%) will be planted in degraded hill forests in Chattogram, Chattogram Hill Tracts, Sylhet, and sal forests in central Bangladesh
- The goal is to improve water retention, prevent landslides, and restore soil fertility
Urban Tree Plantation
- 1.25 crore trees will be planted in cities to reduce air pollution and urban heat
Community-Based Plantation
- 3.75 crore trees will be planted on marginal lands, roadsides, railway tracks, canal banks, and riverbanks
Institutional and Homestead Forestry
- Another 3.75 crore trees will be planted in schools, religious institutions, government and private offices, and household premises
Bangladesh Losing Forest Cover Over Time
Recent forest surveys show that Bangladesh lost 100,000 hectares of forest land between 2015 and 2025, with the highest loss occurring in hill regions. In 2015, forest cover was 12.76%, which has now declined to 12.11%. The total forest area has decreased from 18.84 lakh hectares in earlier surveys to 17.84 lakh hectares in the latest assessment.
Source: Prothom Alo
