PM's Investigation Finds Only 2 Lakh Trees Planted Against Official Claim of 7 Lakh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman revealed that despite official government documentation recording the planting of 700,000 trees in Dulahazra, Cox's Bazar, a personal investigation uncovered the actual existence of barely 200,000 trees. Expressing his deep disappointment over the discrepancy, the Prime Minister urged officials to be significantly more accountable in executing national greening projects.

The Premier made the remarks on Thursday at 10:00 AM during the joint inauguration ceremony of World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2026, alongside the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026.

Reflecting on recent infrastructure developments, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman noted that hundreds of thousands of trees were felled during the construction of the new railway line stretching from Chittagong to Dulahazra via Hathazari. While initiatives were taken to replace the lost forest canopy, the recorded outcomes failed to match reality on the ground.

"Official ledger accounts stated that 700,000 trees had been planted there. To be honest, I requested a detailed report from the relevant authorities a few weeks ago to identify the exact locations of these 700,000 trees. Later, I personally verified the matter and discovered that 700,000 trees do not actually exist there. There are hardly around 200,000 trees. This is very unfortunate and deeply regrettable. We need much closer oversight in these matters, and those involved must act more responsibly," the Prime Minister stated.

Emphasizing that planting trees should not be viewed as the final objective, the PM stressed the importance of nurturing self-sustaining habitats. He observed that deforestation has driven numerous insects and wildlife species to extinction, severely disrupting nature. He reiterated that the government’s core goal is to establish a balanced ecosystem where plants, animals, soil, water, and air coexist naturally.

The Prime Minister further asserted that environmental conservation requires a unified strategy rather than isolated efforts like merely planting trees or clearing plastic. He highlighted that the current administration is operating with this integrated vision to build a safe, healthy, and green Bangladesh for present and future generations. Referring to the government's electoral manifesto, which pledges to plant 250 million new trees over five years, he cautioned that haphazard plantation would not yield the desired environmental benefits.

He concluded by stressing the need for scientific awareness regarding soil quality, climate conditions, and appropriate tree species. Recalling the widespread plantation of Eucalyptus and Akashmoni trees during the 1990s, the Prime Minister noted that subsequent research proved these fast-growing species to be ecologically harmful despite their commercial value. He urged the nation to completely avoid invasive or harmful flora, advising a strong shift toward native species, including medicinal plants, orchids, bamboo, fruit-bearing trees, and endangered indigenous varieties.