Dhaka, July 9 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for ensuring transparency in tree plantation programmes, expressing concern over discrepancies between official claims and the actual number of trees planted in a government afforestation initiative.

Speaking at the inauguration of the World Environment Day programme, the Environment Fair, and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, the Prime Minister said greater attention and seriousness are needed to ensure accountability in such programmes.

Referring to the railway line built from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar through Dulahazara, he said a large number of trees had been felled during the implementation...