Photo: BSS

NETROKONA, Sept 5, 2026 (BSS) – To combat the adverse impacts of climate change and maintain ecological balance, an initiative has been taken by the local district administration to plant 3,000 saplings here.

Under the slogan, “Let us decorate the country through tree plantation, Bangladesh first,” a social tree plantation programme has begun at Kallamkanda upazila here, in line with the government’s target of planting 250 million trees in five years.

The programme was inaugurated this afternoon at Bamangao area under Kharnai union with personal funding from Mostak Ahmed Palash, Liberation War Affairs Secretary of the local union BNP.

The initiative was undertaken as part of a union-based afforestation programme under the guidance of Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

In the first phase, 500 saplings of fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal species have been planted at Bamangao area of the union. A total of 3,000 saplings are being planned across the union in phases.

Former UP chairman and freedom fighter Akash Ali, Kharnai Union BNP President Md Babul Mia, union BNP leader Shahid Ullah Shahid, joint convener of the upazila Olama Dal Saiful Islam, union Jubo Dal convener Ershad Akanji, its member-secretary Md Anisur Rahman, Swechchhasebak Dal convener Md Hanif Mia, Sramik Dal leader Md Nur Uddin and former UP member Md Nurul Islam, among others, were present at the programme. Leaders and activists of local BNP and its affiliated and associate bodies, as well as local residents, attended the programme.

In their inaugural speeches, the speakers said trees not only help us to maintain environmental balance but also play an important role in protecting human life and future generations.

“Our main goal is to turn Kharnai Union into an environment-friendly area through this initiative,” they said.

They also called upon the local residents to come forward to protect and nurture the newly planted saplings.

Following the tree plantation, a special prayer was offered for the overall welfare of the country and its people and for the protection of the environment.