Plantation, care must continue beyond fair: Environment Minister Mintoo
Staff Correspondent
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on urged citizens to continue planting and nurturing trees across the country, emphasizing that the commitment to a greener Bangladesh must extend beyond the National Tree Fair 2026.
Speaking as the chief guest at the fair's closing ceremony at the Forest Department’s Hoimanti Auditorium in Agargaon on Sunday, the minister called on families, educational institutions, and youth organizations to ensure proper care for every sapling purchased during the month-long event.
He expressed confidence that sustained community involvement would enable Bangladesh to achieve its target of expanding national tree canopy coverage to 27 percent well ahead of the 2035 deadline.
"This year’s tree fair evolved beyond a commercial market into a national movement for ecological balance and climate resilience," Mintoo said, highlighting the campaign's theme, "Plant trees to adorn the country, Bangladesh first." Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had formally launched the national drive on July 9.
Reiterating the government's environmental pledges, Mintoo outlined plans to plant 25 crore saplings nationwide over the next five years to drive green employment. In the campaign's first year, five crore saplings are being planted, with the Forest Department overseeing 3.5 crore of the total.
The initiative is designed to generate over 3.5 lakh direct and indirect green jobs, prioritizing youth, women, and rural populations. Additionally, the government plans to support 10,000 new nursery entrepreneurs, creating employment opportunities for an estimated 2.5 lakh people.
This year's national fair featured 74 participating nurseries, which collectively sold around 16 lakh saplings worth Tk 16 crore—a figure the minister cited as evidence of rising environmental awareness and a expanding green economy.
Chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossein Chowdhury, the ceremony was also addressed by Bangladesh Climate Trust Managing Director Kazi Rawnakul Islam Tipu as special guest.
