Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday formally inaugurated a massive nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years, aiming to strengthen environmental protection and address the severe impacts of climate change.

The Prime Minister officially launched the green initiative by planting a sapling of a Garjan tree at the Malumghat Reserved Forest in Dulahazara under Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila at around 2:55 pm.

Following the Premier's lead, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, alongside other ministers and lawmakers, also planted saplings of 11 different species during the event.

Upon his arrival at the tree plantation venue, the Prime Minister warmly greeted hundreds of local people assembled there by waving at them.

Forest officials detailed that a total of 1,180 saplings of indigenous tree species will be planted in this specific forest location during the first phase of the initiative.

The massive afforestation project will be fully implemented over five years under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with the immediate first phase targeting the plantation of 1.5 crore saplings across 149 upazilas spanning 49 districts.

The ruling BNP had pledged in its election manifesto to plant 25 crore trees across the country within five years of coming to power, and Saturday’s inauguration marks the formal start of that environmental commitment.

After forming the government following a landslide victory in the 13th National Parliament Election 2026, the BNP-led administration began rolling out several pilot initiatives in different parts of the country.

These include the introduction of the Family Card in Dhaka's Korail slum, the Farmers’ Card in Tangail, and the ‘Nutan Kuri Sports’ programme in Sylhet.

Additionally, the Prime Minister has introduced honorarium schemes for imams, muezzins, and other religious leaders of different faiths, along with stipends and sports cards for athletes as part of various social protection measures.

The formal launching event in Cox's Bazar was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and was presided over by Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo.

A distinguished delegation attended the ceremony, including Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam, and Environment Secretary Raihan Kawser.

Following the formal proceedings, a special munajat was offered praying for the ultimate success of the nationwide tree plantation programme.