Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon the people to develop the habit of planting at least one tree every year during the monsoon season, saying that observing a single commemorative day is not enough to fulfil environmental responsibilities.

“Celebrating a single day does not mean our responsibility ends. We must develop the habit of planting at least one tree every monsoon season. If you plant one tree every year, the tree will grow just as you grow. One day, you will come to regard that tree as your friend,” he said.

Tarique Rahman was inaugurating tree plantation campaign at secondary educational institutions across the country from Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Photo: PMO

The Prime Minister also suggested that families plant a tree whenever a new child is born. “When a new brother or sister is born in a family, a tree can be planted in that child's name. As the child grows, the tree will grow at the same time,” he said.

Referring to the planting of neem trees in the Plain of Arafat, the Prime Minister said at the initiative of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh had sent neem saplings to Saudi Arabia. 

Those saplings were later planted in large numbers and now provide shade across the Plain of Arafat, he said.

Prime Minister’s spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present.