The government has launched a nationwide initiative to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, aiming to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
In line with this programme, the Rangamati Road Division has undertaken a plan to plant 41,000 trees along key roads across the district.
The tree plantation programme was formally inaugurated on Wednesday by Superintending Engineer Mohammad Mehedi Iqbal of the Rangamati Road Circle at the Sapchhari Joint Farm along the Rangamati–Chittagong national highway.
Following the inauguration, Mehedi Iqbal announced that 1,000 saplings would be planted this year, followed by 10,000 saplings annually over the next four years, bringing the total to 41,000.
He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond planting, as maintenance of the saplings will be ensured for two years. The programme will include a mix of fruit-bearing, forest, medicinal, and ornamental tree species.
Among those present at the event were Executive Engineer Sabuj Chakma, Sub-Divisional Engineer Touhidul Bari, and Sub-Assistant Engineers Ronel Chakma and Tithi Chakma, along with other officials and staff of the Rangamati Road Division.
According to division sources, the initial 1,000 saplings will be planted this year along major roads in Rangamati Sadar, Kawkhali, Naniarchar, and Rajasthali upazilas.
From 2027 to 2030, an additional 40,000 trees will be planted at a rate of 10,000 per year. The plantation will prioritise indigenous species such as jarul, palash, sonalu, lal sonail, chandraprabha, kanchan, sajina, neem, monimala, basanta manjuri, amloki, mandar, bokul, jalpai, amra, bohera, haritaki, chatim, nageshwar, and pakur.
Executive Engineer Sabuj Chakma stated that the trees will be planted along both sides of major district and upazila roads, as well as in vacant spaces within office compounds.
“Given Rangamati’s status as a tourist destination, roadside beautification will be a key focus of the plantation programme,” he added.
