Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged the people to go for massive plantation of trees to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change.

The prime minister was inaugurating the ‘National Tree Plantation Campaign-2021’ marking the World Environment Day.

“We’ll have to protect the environment. This country is ours. If we want to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate changes, we’ll have to promote greenery further in this green Bengal (Sabuj Bangla),” she said.

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She launched the campaign by planting saplings at official residence Ganobhaban here.

 Noting that she planted saplings with her own hands, Sheikh Hasina called upon the people to plant trees in the whatever places available to them.

“Plant at least one sapling. But it would be best, if you can plant three saplings. I want you to plant three saplings –-one for fruit, one for timber and one herbal,” she said.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin and its Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar were present on the occasion.

This year, the National Tree Plantation Campaign is being observed with the theme “Mujibborshe Angikar Kori, Sonar Bangla Sabuj Kori” aimed at motivating the people to make Bangladesh even greener in the Mujib Year.

READ: Tree plantation to transform Bangladesh’s tourism: Mahbub

The day is being observed across the world with the theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ on Saturday.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable success in afforestation increasing the country’s forestation to 22 per cent thanks to different measures taken by her government.

She mentioned that the trees not only protect the environment, but also provide financial solvency and other benefits to the people.

READ: PM to launch tree plantation campaign July 16

Sheikh Hasina also called upon the people to take proper care of trees. “It is not enough to plant saplings only. You’ll have to take care of these as well.” she said.