Education Tree planting the seeds of climate awareness in young minds

The TREE, a first-of-its-kind organisation in Bangladesh dedicated to planting and nurturing 16 million trees by 2030, has launched an ambitious initiative, "Education Tree," to instil a love for nature in the hearts of young Bangladeshis. This innovative initiative encapsulates the transformative belief that "tree is life," and sows the belief in young minds, starting with a pilot project in Jashore.

The Education Tree initiative centres around a simple yet powerful concept: every child, in every grade, plants and nurtures a tree. Whether on school premises or nearby public spaces, these young "tree lovers" foster plant growth and cultivate a lifelong ethos of environmental stewardship. The pilot phase, set in Jashore, aims to involve students from five educational institutions, planting 100,000 palm/date seeds and 1,000 saplings within just six months.

Gopal Dey, Founder and Chairman of TREE, emphasised that the program aims to tackle one of Bangladesh's most pressing environmental challenges—a severe lack of green coverage. "Bangladesh has only 11-12% forest cover, far behind neighbouring countries like India and Bhutan. This is not just an ecological concern but a crisis impacting climate resilience and public health," he stated.

The initiative also incorporates a social enterprise model, selling saplings grown in micro-nurseries commercially to sustain operations. This innovative approach ensures the programme's long-term sustainability.

Education Tree is more than just a tree-planting initiative. It's a movement to inspire a greener future, one child at a time. By fostering environmental consciousness and community engagement, this program has the potential to transform Bangladesh into a greener and more sustainable nation.

TREE's broader mission to mitigate the effects of deforestation, air pollution, and climate disasters aligns with global sustainability goals, offering Bangladesh a pathway toward environmental resilience. With initiatives like the Education Tree, TREE exemplifies how community-driven action, rooted in education, can nurture a sustainable and greener future. TREE reminds us that the Tree is your best friend if you can not leave more than two minutes without breathable air.