DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today suggested planting trees in accordance with local environmental conditions and soil characteristics.

The premier gave the advice while addressing officials at a meeting on tree plantation programme at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area this morning, said the Prime Minister's Press Wing.

According to the Press Wing, the Prime Minister said that soil characteristics vary across different regions of the country. Therefore, tree species should be selected based on the specific soil and environmental conditions of each area, the premier added. 

Such an approach would increase the survival rate of trees and contribute positively to maintaining ecological balance, he said.

Tarique Rahman noted that the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, with noticeable changes in seasonal patterns. 

He said that regular rainfall used to occur in June, but the situation has changed considerably in recent years. 

The decline in forest cover and tree population is also a significant factor behind these environmental changes, the premier added.

He stressed that tree plantation should be given the highest priority to protect the environment, address the adverse effects of climate change, and ensure a safer planet for future generations.

The Press Wing said the meeting discussed various aspects of implementing the government's plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally launch the nationwide five-year tree plantation programme on June 14 at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting while Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Secretary Mohammed Rayhan Kaosar, Department of Environment (DoE) Director General (DG) Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, Additional DG Md Ziaul Haque, Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury and Jamil Bashir JB, a member of the 25 crore Tree Plantation Programme Cell, attended it.