The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, has announced that the government will plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years as part of a national environmental initiative.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking World Wildlife Day 2026 at the Forest Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on March 11, the minister said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has introduced a five-point programme called the “National Green Mission” to protect forests, wildlife, and biodiversity. The tree plantation program will be implemented nationwide on a priority basis under this mission. The event’s theme this year was “Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Improving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods.”
The minister also stated that, according to the government’s election manifesto, around 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals will be excavated and re-excavated across the country to help protect aquatic biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
At the same time, the government plans to gradually ban environmentally harmful plastics and toxic industrial chemicals, replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives.
