Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo spoke at a press conference at the Secretariat today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, July 8, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the World Environment Day and Environment Fair-2026 along with the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair-2026 tomorrow at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry's conference room at the Secretariat, the minister said the theme of this year's campaign and fair is, "Let us Beautify the Country Through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh First."

Mintoo said the prime minister has given his consent to formally inaugurate the programme, which will mark the beginning of the month-long National Tree Fair in Dhaka.

He said, alongside the fair in the capital, tree fairs will be organised for 15 days in all seven divisional headquarters, seven days in 56 district headquarters and three days in 29 upazilas across the country.

A total of 120 stalls will be set up at this year's National Tree Fair, which begins on July 9, he added.

Highlighting the government's forestry initiatives, the minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken afforestation efforts to a new level by introducing the concept of "Smart Forestry" to address the growing challenges of global climate change.

Under the prime minister's leadership, Bangladesh's forest management has entered a modern era where technology and nature will work together to ensure sustainable forest conservation and environmental protection, he said.

Mintoo said the government has undertaken a master plan to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years while introducing 'smart forestry' across the country.

To implement the initiative in line with the government's election manifesto, a special national-level cell has been formed under the Prime Minister's Office, he added.

The minister said the programme will incorporate satellite-based monitoring, with GIS and Remote Sensing technology being used to digitally track the location and growth of planted saplings.

He said a National Tree Database and a central Tree Monitoring System will also be introduced to monitor the survival rate of every tree planted across the country. 

Drone technology will be deployed to monitor dense plantations in remote char areas, coastal belts and forest regions, he added.

The minister said the afforestation programme is expected to generate more than 350,000 green jobs over the next five years, while creating employment opportunities for rural women and young people through nursery businesses and plantation maintenance activities.

State Minister for Environment Sheikh Faridul Islam, the ministry's secretary and heads of different departments were present at the press conference.