Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday strongly advocated for a strategic shift in the nation's reforestation efforts, advising that future tree planting initiatives must strictly align with localized environmental conditions and regional soil characteristics.

The premier shared these recommendations while addressing top officials during a crucial high-level meeting focused on the upcoming nationwide tree plantation programme.

The strategic session was convened on Saturday morning at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.

Elaborating on the technical necessity of the plan, the Prime Minister pointed out that soil compositions vary drastically across different geological zones of Bangladesh.

Because of this natural variation, he stressed that tree species must be meticulously selected based on the specific soil attributes and environmental microclimates of each targeted area.

The premier emphasized that adopting such an ecosystem-driven approach would substantially increase the long-term survival rate of newly planted saplings and contribute positively to maintaining the country's delicate ecological balance.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman further observed that the severe impacts of global climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the delta, pointing out visible and disruptive shifts in Bangladesh's traditional seasonal patterns.

He recalled that regular, predictable monsoon rainfall used to occur reliably in the month of June, but remarked that this environmental situation has changed considerably in recent years.

The premier added that a sharp decline in overall forest cover and the country's general tree population remains a major driving factor behind these alarming climatic changes.

To combat this environmental degradation, the Prime Minister stressed that massive tree plantation campaigns must be granted the absolute highest priority by the administration.

He underscored that accelerating reforestation is vital to protecting the environment, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, and ultimately ensuring a safer planet for future generations.

According to the Press Wing, the high-level meeting extensively discussed the implementation roadmap for the government's highly ambitious plan to plant 25 crore trees across the nation over the next five years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate the nationwide five-year tree plantation programme on June 14 during a ceremony at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar.

The crucial preparatory meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

It was attended by a prominent delegation of environmental policymakers, including Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Secretary Mohammed Rayhan Kaosar.

Key environmental implementation heads were also present to offer technical input, including Department of Environment (DoE) Director General (DG) Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, Additional DG Md Ziaul Haque, Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury, and Jamil Bashir JB, an active member of the 25 crore Tree Plantation Programme Cell.