PM launches tree plantation drive in Barishal’s Gournadi, urges people to care for saplings

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a tree plantation programme by planting coconut and neem saplings along the banks of the newly re-excavated Sarikal-Batajor Canal in Gournadi upazila of Barishal, urging people to nurture the trees to ensure their survival.

The Prime Minister arrived at the canal bank in Batajor union of Gournadi around 10:00am to launch the programme.

Local residents, including farmers and homemakers, gathered along one side of the canal to greet the Prime Minister.

Launching the programme, Tarique Rahman said planting trees alone was not enough and stressed the need for proper care.

"Planting the sapling is not the end of the job. Around 2,500 saplings will be planted today. Everyone must take care of the trees," he said.

"You look after your children every day after they are born. In the same way, you must care for these young saplings every day," the Prime Minister added.

With the slogan "Bangladesh First", he planted the first sapling to formally inaugurate the campaign.

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Barishal-1 MP Zahir Uddin Swapon also planted a sapling alongside the Prime Minister.

The canal, which flows past Batajor Bazar, is locally known as the Batajor Canal. It joins the Sarikal River east of the market before flowing into the Miar Char River.

After inaugurating the tree plantation programme, the Prime Minister proceeded to Batajor to distribute Family Cards among the women who are heads of beneficiary families.

Thousands of BNP leaders, activists and supporters lined both sides of the 34-kilometre road from Gournadi to Barishal city, welcoming the Prime Minister with applause as his motorcade passed.