Staff Correspondent — A major tree plantation drive and tree fair kicked off in Narayanganj on Tuesday with a vibrant rally through the city streets.
Organized jointly by the Narayanganj District Administration and the Forest Department under the slogan “Decorate the country with trees, Bangladesh comes first,” the initiative aims to plant 500,000 saplings across the district over the next three months.
The event began on Tuesday morning (July 28) with a colorful rally starting from the Shaheed Zia Hall premises in Chashara. Carrying banners, festoons, and young saplings, students from local schools and colleges marched alongside environmental activists and members of social and cultural organizations through the city’s main thoroughfares.
Advocate Abul Kalam, Member of Parliament for Narayanganj-5, inaugurated the campaign as the chief guest during a discussion chaired by Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Raihan Kabir.
Highlighting the urgency of environmental action, MP Abul Kalam urged the public to join the effort. “There is no alternative to planting trees to combat the impact of climate change,” he said. “A tree is a life. Let us all plant trees around our homes, along roadsides, and on unused land. Citizens must actively partner with the government in this movement.”
Deputy Commissioner Md. Raihan Kabir emphasized the local government’s commitment to urban sustainability. “We are giving top priority to tree plantation to make Narayanganj a green and pollution-free city,” Kabir stated. “This fair gives the public easy access to high-quality saplings, supporting our goal to plant 500,000 trees across the district within three months.”
Special guests at the ceremony included Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Munshi, Dhaka Divisional Forest Officer Sharmin Akhtar, and City BNP Member Secretary Adv. Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu.
Following the speeches, the guests planted saplings on the hall grounds and toured the exhibition. The fair features stalls from both public and private nurseries, offering a wide selection of fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal saplings for public purchase.
Senior district officials, public representatives, community leaders, and local journalists also attended the launch.
