Photo: BSS

COX'S BAZAR, Aug 9, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today planted tree saplings in a 40-hectare newly created garden in the Rangikhali forest area under Muchoni Beat in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar.

Earlier, yesterday, the environment state minister inaugurated a three-day tree plantation programme by planting coconut saplings at the Bangladesh Coast Guard office premises in the Saint Martin's Island.

At the event, the state minister said a tree plantation campaign has begun in different areas of Cox's Bazar.

Under the "250 million trees in five years" programme, 20,000 tree saplings will be planted on Saint Martin's Island over three days from August 8 to 10. 

These trees will play an important role in conserving the environment and biodiversity of the ecologically critical island, he said.

The environment state minister urged the islanders to play an active role in keeping Saint Martin's Island free from plastic and pollution by participating in cleanliness activities.

Meanwhile, the state minister inspected 1,103 hectares of forest land under the Cox's Bazar South Forest Division this afternoon.

Around 27.50 lakh tree saplings have already been planted there.

The gardens developed under a long-term plan contain around 56 species of trees, including fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal varieties.

Forest Conservator of the Chattogram region Mihir Kumar Dey, Cox's Bazar South Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Forest Conservator (Teknaf and Ukhia) Md Monirul Islam, Teknaf Range Officer Md Abdur Rashid, along with beat officers from different beats, police, forest guards and members of forest protection teams were present during the inspection.