Tree-covered land in Bangladesh has increased to 22.37 per cent of the total land area of the country, according to Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin.
And, steps have already been taken to implement the plan to increase the amount of land covered by trees to more than 24 per cent by the year 2025, he added.
As part of ensuring sustainable forest management, illegal occupants of forests must be removed, he warned.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled 'Sustainable Forests and Prosperous Bangladesh' at the Forest Department in Agargaon on Thursday on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence.
Chief Conservator of Forests of the Forest Department Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury presided over the function while Director General of the Department of Environment Dr AKM Rafique Ahamed and Chairman of Nature and Life Foundation Mukit Majumder Babu were present as special guests.
The minister said cooperative forest management activities are being implemented to improve the living standard of the forest-dependent people by taking alternative livelihood activities to reduce their dependence on forests.
The minister added public awareness has been raised through regular campaign and mobile court operation to control wildlife crime. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's independence, the minister released 50 Tia and Munia birds in nature.
