PM Tarique Rahman Launches Nationwide Drive to Plant 250 Million Trees, Visits July Martyr Wasim's Grave in Cox's Bazar

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday launched a nationwide initiative to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, describing the programme as a major step towards strengthening environmental protection, combating climate challenges, and generating employment opportunities across Bangladesh.

The programme was officially inaugurated at Ringbhong in Malumghat under Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar district, where the prime minister planted a garjan sapling to mark the beginning of the campaign.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and other senior government officials accompanied the prime minister during the ceremony.

According to government officials, the nationwide afforestation initiative aims to plant a total of 25 crore saplings throughout the country by 2031. Beyond its environmental objectives, the programme is also expected to have a significant socioeconomic impact by creating employment opportunities for approximately 350,000 people, both directly and indirectly.
 

Under the implementation plan for the 2026–27 fiscal year, authorities have set an ambitious target that includes planting more than 4.28 crore saplings across 25,960 hectares of block plantations.

The programme also envisions the establishment of 37 lakh saplings along 3,727 kilometres of strip plantations, while over 1.77 crore saplings are scheduled to be planted across 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests to strengthen coastal resilience and ecological sustainability.

In addition, around 56 lakh saplings will be distributed under homestead afforestation schemes to encourage community participation and expand green coverage at the household level.
 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Cox's Bazar Airport at approximately 10:00am aboard a US-Bangla Airlines flight before beginning a series of official engagements throughout the district.
 

Following his arrival, he visited the site of a canal excavation project and later toured Dulahazara Safari Park in Chakaria.
 

One of the most emotional moments of the visit came when the prime minister travelled to Pekua upazila to pay tribute at the grave of July Uprising martyr Mohammad Wasim. He met members of the slain activist's family, enquired about their well-being, and expressed solidarity with them.
 

As a gesture of support, the prime minister handed over savings certificates worth Tk20 lakh to Wasim's mother, Josna Begum.

He later attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila, where he was scheduled to participate in a special prayer session.
 

The prime minister is also expected to address a public rally in Chakaria municipality as the chief guest, where he is likely to outline the government's development priorities and future plans for the region.
 

Following the rally, he is scheduled to inspect the Marine Drive road and Cox's Bazar sea beach, two of the country's most prominent tourism assets.
 

As part of the final phase of his tour, Tarique Rahman is expected to attend an exchange-of-views meeting with local community leaders at the Long Beach Hotel in Kolatoli later in the evening.
 

Government officials described the nationwide tree-planting initiative as one of the country's largest environmental campaigns in recent years, reflecting Bangladesh's growing focus on sustainable development, climate resilience, and community-based economic opportunities.
 

The programme, they said, represents a long-term investment in the country's environmental future while simultaneously creating livelihoods and encouraging greater public participation in conservation efforts.