Bonayan celebrates 45 years of afforestation

Bangladesh, a land rich in natural beauty, now grapples with the growing perils of climate change. Cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and desertification threaten its landscape and its people. In this challenging time, tree plantation efforts shine as a beacon of hope, safeguarding the environment and softening nature's fury. For 45 years, Bonayan—one of the largest afforestation programmes in Bangladesh's private sector—has stood steadfast in this noble mission.

Since its inception in 1980, Bonayan has been a faithful guardian of biodiversity and environmental balance. Its impact is vast: over 130 million fruit-bearing, forest, and medicinal saplings have been distributed free of cost across the nation. Beyond that, 119 medicinal plant gardens have flourished under its care. Bonayan's roots extend deep into 24 districts, touching communities in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Tangail, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, Jashore, Chattogram, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, and beyond. Each year, the initiative reaches more than 25,000 beneficiaries, bringing life and shade to lands in need of healing.

In harmony with the United Nations Environment Programme's call on World Environment Day, Bonayan celebrates by distributing hundreds of thousands of saplings, inspiring climate action from every corner of society.

Bonayan's compassion extends further. In Cox's Bazar, where the forest gave way to shelter nearly 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, Bonayan joined forces with the government, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, WFP, FAO, BRAC, and Caritas. Together, they have revived the region, planting and nurturing over 300,000 saplings across 33.7 hectares of block areas and along 18.7 kilometres of roadside since 2018.

The programme's dedication has earned it high honours, including five Prime Minister's National Awards, the Chief Advisor's National Award, the SDG Brand Championship Award 2023, the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award for Green Leadership, and the Bangladesh Innovation Award 2021 for SDG inclusion.

Bonayan looks ahead with unwavering resolve. It pledges to unite public and private hands in building a greener, more sustainable Bangladesh. As it prepares to distribute over 3 million saplings this year, the dream of a Green Bangladesh lives on, rooted in tradition, reaching for a brighter, cleaner future.