Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has announced that his party will plant 250 million trees nationwide within five years if they are elected to power in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The announcement was made late Tuesday night (January 20) during a prayer session held at the Banani Chairman Bari field in memory of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The event was organized by 12 organizations, including the Gulshan-Banani Society.
Environmental and Urban Reforms
Reflecting on his return to the country after 17 years, Tarique Rahman noted a visible decline in Dhaka's greenery and expressed concern over the city's future.
Green Mission: "I want to plant 250 million trees in 5 years to restore our environment," he stated, adding that both government and private nurseries at the sub-district (Upazila) level would be empowered to meet this goal.
Water & Canals: He warned of a severe drinking water crisis in Dhaka within 15–20 years due to river pollution. To combat this, he pledged to reclaim encroached canals in the capital and excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across the country.
Urban Management: The Chairman also promised immediate initiatives to control the mosquito menace in the capital.
Modernizing Infrastructure and Education
Tarique Rahman proposed several structural changes to public services and the education system:
Transportation: To solve traffic congestion, he suggested a monorail system to connect areas like Banani and Mohammadpur with the existing Metro Rail, calling it a more cost-effective solution for wider coverage.
Language & Skills: He emphasized a shift in the education system, focusing on proficiency in English and a third foreign language.
Sports as a Career: The BNP aims to turn sports into a professional career path, making it mandatory for every student to participate in at least one sport or cultural activity.
Social Safety Nets and Housing
Addressing the residents of the Korail slum, Tarique Rahman made several high-priority promises:
- Dignified Housing: He pledged to build modern multi-story buildings and transfer ownership of flats to current Korail residents via legal registration.
- Equity in Opportunity: He emphasized that children living in slums should have access to the same quality of education, healthcare, and language learning as those living in luxury apartments.
- Financial Support: The Chairman also promised Family Cards for women to ensure economic solvency and Farmer Cards to assist the agricultural community.
