Plantation foundation urges parties to prioritise environment in manifestos
Ahead of the upcoming national election, Plantation Foundation has urged political parties to give top priority to environmental protection, tree plantation and climate action in their election manifestos.
In a press release issued on Thursday (5 February), the organisation said Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to climate change, arguing that environmental protection is no longer a matter of choice but has become a question of national survival.
The statement noted that disasters such as floods and cyclones are repeatedly putting lives and livelihoods at risk. In this context, Plantation Foundation said political leadership should place the environment at the centre of all development planning, emphasising the need for long-term, science-based measures rather than rhetorical commitments.
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The organisation also said tree plantation pledges should not remain limited to "paper announcements". It called for a clear framework to ensure the protection and proper maintenance of planted trees so that they survive over the long term. To drive what it described as a "green revolution", it proposed planned programmes that directly involve local government administration, young people and citizens.
The press release warned that indiscriminate cutting of trees and hills in the name of development could trigger more severe environmental crises in the future. To reduce such risks, Plantation Foundation demanded that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) be made mandatory for all public and private development projects.
It further stressed the importance of conserving and expanding mangrove forests to strengthen protection in coastal areas. The organisation also called for planting native species instead of exotic trees and for stricter regulation of industrial activities that harm the environment.
Plantation Foundation said that although various political parties have spoken about environmental issues in the past, a lack of clear roadmaps has hindered effective implementation, creating long-standing scepticism and frustration among environmentalists.
The organisation called for a "zero tolerance" policy against those responsible for destroying forests, rivers and biodiversity. It also urged political parties to demonstrate responsible behaviour during election campaigns by avoiding plastic and using environmentally friendly materials.
The statement said the call was aimed at building a greener, more liveable and sustainable Bangladesh.
