25 crore trees to be planted to protect coastal area: Minister

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has announced a plan to plant 250 million trees in the next five years to protect people in coastal areas from natural disasters. At the same time, he said that a strong green belt will be built along the coast to combat disasters such as cyclones, tidal waves, cyclones and floods.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a national seminar titled 'Bangladesh will survive if the coast survives' organized at the Jahurul Haque Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club to commemorate 'Voyal 29 April 91' on Wednesday (April 29). The seminar was organized by the Coastal Development Foundation.

The Water Resources Minister said that due to its geographical location, Bangladesh is one of the disaster-prone countries in the world. The people of the country have been struggling to survive by fighting natural disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones and tidal waves for a long time. The cyclone of April 29, 1991 was one of the worst disasters in the country's history, causing extensive damage to various coastal areas including Cox's Bazar.

He also said that the newly formed government at that time, led by the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, had dealt with the situation with foresight within just three months.

The minister said that the current government is reviving the canal excavation program of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. About 20 thousand kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds and reservoirs will be excavated and re-excavated in the next five years.

Chairman of the Coastal Development Foundation and Professor of Chittagong University Dr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain presided over the program. Shahjahan Chowdhury, MP from Cox's Bazar-4 constituency, Alamgir Md. Mahfuz Ullah Farid, MP from Chittagong-16 constituency Principal Maulana Zahirul Islam and MP from Chittagong-9 constituency Abu Sufian were present as special guests.