Bangladesh launches mega tree planting campaign, eyes over 80 mln saplings-Xinhua

People view plants at a national tree fair in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 5, 2024. The Bangladeshi government Wednesday launched its mega annual nationwide tree plantation campaign with a target of planting over 80 million saplings during this monsoon season.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2024 and the World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2024 at the premises of the Bangabandhu International Conference Center. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government Wednesday launched its mega annual nationwide tree plantation campaign with a target of planting over 80 million saplings during this monsoon season.

Urging all to plant and nurture saplings, she said they have a target of planting 83.8 million saplings during the monsoon season with a view to increasing the country's afforestation.

Hasina said Bangladesh must be protected from the adverse effects of climate change and her government is determined to act on it.

The month-long annual campaign, first launched in 1994, is considered an important yearly event to motivate people to save the environment of the delta country, which is crisscrossed by about 250 rivers and is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. ■

A girl walks past plants at a national tree fair in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 5, 2024. The Bangladeshi government Wednesday launched its mega annual nationwide tree plantation campaign with a target of planting over 80 million saplings during this monsoon season.