Desk Report:
A large-scale tree plantation program has been started nationwide under the initiative of the Road Transport and Highways Department. Sheikh Rabiul Alam, MP, Minister in charge of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping, has called for transforming this program, which was taken with the aim of preserving environmental balance and ensuring sustainable development, into an individual-level movement.
In his speech as the chief guest, the Road and Bridges Minister said that this is a priority-based program of the government and there is no alternative to this initiative to build a livable Bangladesh. He said, “We do not want to see tree plantation as just a formal or social program; rather, we want to transform it into an individual-level movement. Every department, ministry, organization, official and employee of the country must take this responsibility from their respective positions.” He further said that today’s inauguration ceremony is just a beginning – it should not be limited to formalities in any way. Rather, from today onwards, a practical tree plantation program should be started on all the roads and highways of the country under the Road Transport and Highways Department. In this regard, he directed to work in an economical, unostentatious and process-friendly manner by avoiding unnecessary pomp and show.
The Minister of Roads and Bridges said, “By process-friendly, we mean selecting trees that grow well in the area, using seedlings of appropriate quality and ensuring proper care for them after planting. We do not want the responsibility to be completed by just planting trees; rather, we want at least 80 to 85 trees to survive and reach maturity out of 100 trees planted.” At this time, he laid utmost importance on the care, protection and regular supervision of trees.
Giving special emphasis on involving the people, the Minister said that to make this program successful, it must be made a part of people’s personal lives. He said, “If every family plants a few trees on the arrival of a new member in the family, on any good news or joyful occasion, then we will be able to build a green Bangladesh in a very short time.” He added that along with the concerned officials and employees, their families and relatives should also be involved in this program. This will create a large social awareness and the program will expand spontaneously.
Highlighting the issue of maintaining environmental balance, he said that currently there is a shortage of necessary forest land in the country and ensuring a habitable world in the future has become a big challenge. In this context, under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, a plan has been taken to plant 5 crore trees this year and 25 crore in the next five years, an important responsibility of which falls on the Road Transport and Highways Department. The minister further said that wherever there is an opportunity, trees will be planted in a planned manner in the national highways, regional roads, link roads and new road construction projects under the Road Transport and Highways Department.
He expressed optimism that this program will be successful with the sincerity and collective efforts of all concerned. “This will benefit everyone – individuals, society and the state – and we will be able to build a green, safe and livable Bangladesh,” he said.
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railways Habibur Rashid said that as part of the government’s far-reaching plan, the “250 million tree plantation program in 5 years” has been taken, which is an important step to build a sustainable and livable Bangladesh. He said that this program is being implemented with the aim of building a safe, green and environmentally friendly country for future generations under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister. He further said that to make this initiative successful, it should not be limited to the government level; rather, the active participation of the people must be ensured. The program must be spread among everyone and the people must be motivated so that each person comes forward to plant trees from their own position.
Speaking as the chairman, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque said, although tree plantation usually starts during the monsoon season, this program has been started from April 1 this year to ensure the best use of time. He said that this program is being implemented simultaneously in 64 districts of the country through all the departments and organizations of the Road Transport and Highways Department. Suitable species have been selected for road-based tree plantation in a planned manner and after planting, tree care will be ensured through regular monitoring. At this time, he added, “Our main goal is green infrastructure development. This program will be made more sustainable and fruitful by involving the local people.” Officials and representatives of the concerned departments were present at the program. Finally, the president declared the program over after thanking everyone present.
