Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated a tree-planting programme beside the Sarikal-Batajore canal in Barishal’s Gournadi.
He planted neem and coconut saplings at the canal bank on Monday morning after arriving there around 10:00 am, bdnews24.com reports.
The canal beside Batajore market, known as the Batajore Canal, flows into the Miyar Char River through the Sarikal River on its eastern side.
Homemakers and farmers living beside the canal greeted the prime minister as he arrived, and he waved back at them.
Launching the initiative, Tarique said, "The work doesn't end with planting the tree. [On Monday], 2,500 saplings will be planted. Everyone must look after these trees.
"Just as you care for your own newborn after birth, you must tend to the young sapling every day too."
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and local leaders were present during the programme.
After opening the tree-planting drive, Tarique heads to Batajore for a Family Card distribution event, where he will hand over cards to women heads of families.
After completing his Gournadi programmes, the premier will travel by road to Barishal city.
Thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters lined both sides of the 34km route from Gournadi to Barishal, applauding as his motorcade passed.
His car moved at a slow pace as he waved back to the crowds from inside.
In the city, Tarique will launch another tree-planting programme on the banks of Sagardi Canal, next to the 30 Godown Liberation War massacre site.
