Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan Launches Five Year National Tree Plantation Drive in Barisal
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is prioritizing sustainable, long-term national development, highlighted by a nationwide initiative to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. Under this program, the government aims to plant 50 million trees annually to combat climate change and bolster environmental preservation.
The minister made these remarks while inaugurating the divisional tree plantation campaign and tree fair at Bells Park ground in Barishal. During the ceremony, Swapan emphasized that the initiative must extend beyond mere planting to include the ongoing care and conservation of the saplings. He urged citizens to transform tree planting into a widespread social movement to enhance greenery in both urban and rural landscapes.
Addressing the environmental vulnerability of the southern region, the minister noted that residents of coastal areas are acutely aware of the shifting climate patterns. He pointed to rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and increasing water levels as signs of an existential threat to coastal populations.
Minister Swapan stressed that climate change is a global crisis that cannot be managed by any single country or region in isolation. He argued that international cooperation is essential to ensure the planet remains habitable for future generations. Furthermore, he called for greater public awareness regarding energy consumption, warning that the failure to adopt responsible energy practices will accelerate global warming, eventually rendering many regions of the earth uninhabitable.
The minister encouraged individuals, educational institutions, social organizations, and local government bodies to collaborate with the Forest Department to ensure the success of the conservation efforts. Following the formal inauguration, the minister toured the fair, interacting with representatives from various nurseries and examining the fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal saplings on display.
The event was attended by local administration officials, law enforcement personnel, forest department staff, students, and educators. According to the organizers, 50 nurseries from across the Barishal division are participating in the fair. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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