Bangladesh Plans 250 Million Tree Plantation, Faces Implementation Hurdles

Bangladesh is preparing to plant 250 million trees nationwide over the next five years as part of a government initiative to increase green cover. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is coordinating with various government agencies and NGOs to carry out the program, allocating funds from existing budgets.

The project aims to restore degraded mangrove forests, hill forests, and urban areas, with a specific focus on coastal regions vulnerable to erosion and cyclones, 100 million saplings are earmarked for these areas. The government is prioritizing native species, but also considering fast-growing trees to benefit local communities involved in the planting.

A task force has been established to monitor progress using an internet-based dashboard tracking planted trees, species, and agency involvement. Experts caution that success depends on ensuring sapling quality, conducting thorough ecological assessments, and implementing effective post-plantation care to avoid wasting resources. The initiative contributes to Bangladesh’s commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its national climate action plans.