State Minister visits newly created plantation in Teknaf

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam MP expressed overwhelming satisfaction after inspecting a newly created plantation in the Teknaf reserve forest area on Sunday.

The state minister visited the 40-hectare newly planted forest section under the Rangikhali area of Muchni beat in Teknaf range around 1:00PM. During the visit, he planted a Chalta (elephant apple) sapling in the forest.

Conservator of Forests for the Chattogram region Mihir Kumar Doe, Cox's Bazar South Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Teknaf-Ukhia Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Monirul Islam, and Teknaf Range Officer Md Abdur Rashid accompanied the state minister during the inspection alongside police and forest guard members.

Teknaf Range Officer Md Abdur Rashid stated that during the 2025-26 fiscal year, 50,000 saplings were planted over 20 hectares in Muchni beat, 150,000 across 60 hectares in Hnila beat, and 250,000 across 100 hectares in Middle Hnila beat. 

Under the Shilkhal range, 100,000 saplings were planted in Shilkhal Sadar beat and another 100,000 in Mathabhanga beat across 40 hectares each. Additionally, 475,000 saplings were planted across 190 hectares in Whykong beat and 75,000 across 30 hectares in Monkhali beat under Whykong range.

DFO Md Abdullah Al Mamun noted that approximately 2.75 million saplings of 56 diverse species - including fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal trees - were planted across 1,103 hectares of forest land following proper procedures.

He added that proper maintenance of these long-term plantations will play a crucial role in recovering from the environmental and wildlife damage caused by the Rohingya influx, turning the area into a valuable ecological asset.

-ASU/SA