The country’s largest private sector tree plantation program ‘Banayan’ will distribute 50 lakh saplings across the country to celebrate World Environment Day. This initiative has been making an important contribution in protecting the environment for the last 44 years.
Bangladesh is facing the adverse effects of climate change. Natural disasters like cyclones, floods, heat waves and desertification are increasing. Increasing the number of trees can play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change and the role of tree plantation programs in protecting the environment and coping with disasters is immense. In this regard, the ‘Afforestation’ program has been playing a leading role for more than four decades.
‘Banayan’ has prepared 50 lakh saplings from 19 nurseries of the country.
Ahmed Raihan Ahsanullah, the spokesperson of the ‘Banayan’ programme, said that the World Environment Day highlights the importance of adopting a coordinated and holistic strategy to protect climate balance. As part of our efforts to ensure a promising future, we will once again distribute 50 lakh saplings under the ‘Banayan’ programme. We are proud to have the opportunity to work alongside the government to strengthen forestry efforts across the country to restore ecosystems. In this case, if everyone works together, we are hopeful that we can achieve the goal of 25 percent vegetation cover.
The ‘forestry’ program was started in 1980 to ensure the protection and diversity of the environment and to combat the adverse effects of climate change. Under this program, 12.5 million fruit, forest and medicinal plant seedlings have been distributed free of charge across the country so far; 119 medicinal plant gardens have been developed. At present, ‘forestry’ activities are in total 24 districts of the country including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Tangail, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, Jessore, Chittagong, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati and Noakhali (Subarnachar). ongoing
The ‘Banayan’ program has won various national and international awards in recognition of its consistent efforts in combating climate disasters and its positive role in protecting the environment and biodiversity. These include – Prime Minister’s National Award (five times), Chief Advisor’s National Award, SDG Brand Championship Award 2023, ‘Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award’ for Green Leadership from ‘Enterprise Asia’ and ‘Bangladesh Innovation Award 2021’ in the SDG Inclusion category.
MHR
