Government Launches Three-Day Tree Planting Campaign to Protect Saint Martins Island Biodiversity
Photo Collected
ST. MARTIN’S ISLAND, Bangladesh — Authorities have launched a three-day tree-planting initiative on St. Martin’s Island, aiming to plant 20,000 saplings to preserve the ecological integrity of the environmentally critical area. The program, which runs from August 8 to August 10, falls under the government’s broader national goal of planting 250 million trees over five years.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Aftab Uddin inaugurated the drive on Saturday afternoon by planting a coconut sapling at the Bangladesh Coast Guard office grounds. Speaking at the event, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the island’s unique biodiversity, including its coral reefs, marine life, and coastal vegetation. He urged residents to take personal responsibility for nurturing the newly planted trees and keeping the island free from plastic and pollution.
The saplings selected for the island include a variety of fruit-bearing and coastal species, such as mango, guava, bahera, haritaki, neem, pomelo, jujube, krishnachura, sonalu, jarul, sagarlata, hargoza, keya, and coconut. The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the Bangladesh Coast Guard, international development organization World Vision Bangladesh, Enroute Foundation, and BGS.
Beyond reforestation, the program incorporates ongoing beach cleanup operations. Following the planting ceremony, the state minister and local stakeholders removed plastic waste, polythene, and discarded cans from the shoreline. During an address to the local community, the minister underscored that the survival of the island depends on local vigilance, particularly in mitigating the risks posed by climate change, rising temperatures, and frequent natural disasters.
The minister traveled to the island via the Naaf River and the Bay of Bengal after arriving at Cox’s Bazar Airport earlier on Saturday. The visit also included officials from Enroute Foundation and World Vision Bangladesh, alongside local government representatives.
World Vision Bangladesh reported that it has planted 3.2 million trees across the country over the last three years. The organization plans to plant an additional 7.5 million saplings over the next five years to support the government’s environmental targets. Specifically for the Cox’s Bazar district, the organization has set a target of planting 171,070 saplings by 2026, with allocations distributed across the Teknaf, Ukhia, Ramu, and Cox’s Bazar Sadar sub-districts.
The state minister is scheduled to inspect various parts of the island and review biodiversity preservation efforts on Sunday morning before returning to Teknaf.
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