Bonayan, one of the largest afforestation programmes in the private sector of Bangladesh, will distribute 3 million saplings across the country this year.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme, World Environment Day is celebrated globally on June 5 to inspire and raise awareness among governments and all stakeholders to take meaningful climate action.
As part of this global celebration, Bonayan is preparing to distribute over 3 million saplings this year, said a press release on Thursday.
Launched in 1980, Bonayan has played a crucial role in preserving environmental integrity and biodiversity while combating the consequences of climate change.
To date, the initiative has distributed over 130 million fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal plant saplings free of cost. Additionally, 119 medicinal plant gardens have been established under this programme, said the press release.
Bonayan has also made a commendable impact in the Rohingya refugee camps. To shelter nearly 1.1 million displaced people, around 1,500 hectares of forest land were cleared, and hills were levelled in Teknaf and Ukhia of Cox鈥檚 Bazar, mentioned the press release, adding, 鈥業n response to this massive ecological damage, the government, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, WFP, FAO, BRAC, Caritas, and the Bonayan project have collaborated to bring greenery back to the region.鈥�
Since 2018, Bonayan has planted and maintained over 3,00,000 saplings across 33.7 hectares of block areas and along 18.7 kilometres of roadside in the Kutupalong Rohingya camp.
In recognition of its continued efforts in tackling climate crises and protecting biodiversity and the environment, Bonayan has received multiple national and international accolades, including the Prime Minister鈥檚 National Awards, the Chief Adviser鈥檚 National Award, the SDG Brand Championship Award 2023, the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award for Green Leadership by Enterprise Asia, and the Bangladesh Innovation Award 2021 under the SDG Inclusion category.
Bonayan has been operating in 24 districts across the country, including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Tangail, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, Jashore, Chattogram, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox鈥檚 Bazar and Rangamati.