Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. The event, themed 'Let's Beautify the Country Through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh Comes First,' began with recitations from religious scriptures and a documentary showcasing the government's environmental achievements.
Award Ceremony and Tree Planting
At the ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, and the National Tree Plantation Award 2025. He also distributed dividend cheques to beneficiaries of the social forestry programme. Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister planted saplings of olive, jarul, and neem trees on the conference center's premises and visited various stalls at the Tree Fair held at the old Trade Fair Ground.
National and Divisional Fairs
The fair aims to encourage public participation in environmental conservation, forest expansion, and climate change mitigation. In addition to the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in Dhaka, 15-day tree fairs are being held in seven divisional cities, seven-day fairs in 56 district headquarters, and three-day fairs in 29 upazilas. A total of 120 stalls are participating in the National Tree Fair in Dhaka.
Government's Afforestation Plan
To implement the government's master plan of planting 25 crore saplings over the next five years, a special cell has been established under the Prime Minister's Office. The initiative will use GIS, remote sensing, a National Tree Database, and drone technology to digitally monitor afforestation activities. This is expected to create approximately 350,000 new green jobs and develop 10,000 new nursery entrepreneurs.
Historical Context and Legacy
Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman transformed tree plantation into a national movement in Bangladesh. Under his initiative, the country's first National Forest Policy was formulated in 1979. Later, in 1994, then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia launched the National Tree Fair and played a significant role in expanding social forestry. The present government is continuing this legacy by developing a technology-driven and sustainable forest management system.
Significance and Future Prospects
The inauguration of the environment fair and tree plantation campaign underscores the government's commitment to environmental sustainability and ecological balance. By leveraging technology and community involvement, the initiative aims to enhance Bangladesh's green cover, mitigate climate change impacts, and create economic opportunities in the forestry sector.
