'Bonayon', the country's largest private-sector tree planting programme, will distribute 50 lakh saplings across the country to mark World Environment Day. The initiative has been making an important contribution to protecting the environment for 44 years.

Bangladesh is facing the adverse effects of climate change, with cyclones, floods, heatwaves and desertification on the rise. Increasing the number of trees can play an important role in reducing the impact of climate change, and tree planting programmes are vital for protecting the environment and dealing with disasters. The Bonayon programme has played a pioneering role in this for more than four decades.

Bonayon has prepared 50 lakh saplings at 19 nurseries in the country.

Bonayon spokesperson Ahmed Raihan Ahsanullah said World Environment Day highlights the need for an integrated and holistic strategy to keep the climate in balance. "As part of our efforts to secure a promising future, we will again distribute 50 lakh saplings under Bonayon this year. We are proud to have the chance to work alongside the government to strengthen afforestation across the country to restore ecosystems. If everyone works together, we are hopeful of reaching the goal of 25 per cent tree cover," he said.

The Bonayon programme began in 1980 to protect the environment and its diversity and to tackle the adverse effects of climate change. So far it has distributed 12 crore 50 lakh fruit, timber and medicinal saplings free across the country and set up 119 medicinal plant gardens. It currently operates in a total of 24 districts, including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Tangail, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, Jashore, Chattogram, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati and Noakhali (Subarnachar).

In recognition of its consistent efforts against climate disaster and its positive role in protecting the environment and biodiversity, Bonayon has won several national and international awards. These include the Prime Minister's National Award (five times), the Chief Adviser's National Award, the SDG Brand Championship Award 2023, the 'Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award' for green leadership from 'Enterprise Asia', and the 'Bangladesh Innovation Award 2021' in the SDG inclusion category.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.