"Let each and every member of the family plant one tree a month. I would like to see our nation of 13 crore people plant at least 39 crore new trees during the next three months," Khaleda Zia said while inaugurating the three-month long National Tree Plantation Movement and Tree Fair-2003 at the National Parade Square yesterday.

She said in the backdrop of the country's heavily depleted forest resources due to massive felling of trees and destruction of forests, it is imperative to plant a lot of trees to save the country from the looming environmental disaster.

The prime minister planted a sapling of "Arjuna" tree at the National Parade Square to mark the nationwide tree plantation campaign. Afterwards, her granddaughter Zaima Rahman, ministers, MPs, diplomats, secretaries of the government and dignitaries also planted saplings.

Khaleda Zia called upon all political parties and social organisa tions to join the tree plantation movement together for the sake of national interest. "Let us do at least this noble work of planting trees together," she added.

"There is no politics in it ... There should not be any dispute about this. Everyone irrespective of political affiliation and creed should take part in this work," she said.

Organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the inaugural function was also addressed by Forest and Environment Minister Shajahan Siraj, Minister for Agriculture MK Anwar, Minister for Post and Telecommunications Barrister Aminul Huq, State Minister for Environment and Forest Zafrul Islam Chowdhury, Environment and Forest Secretary Sabihuddin Ahmed and Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest Anwarul Islam.

The prime minister released a commemorative stamp to mark the occasion.

She gave away prizes of the Prime Minister's National Award in tree plantation for the year 2002 among the winners including Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Mizanur Rahman Minu.

She also distributed checks among the participants of social afforestation. Later, Khaleda Zia inaugurated the tree fair and visited different stalls there. More than 100 stalls have been set up at the 15-day tree fair.

The prime minister said Bangladesh could make tremendous progress if the three major resources -- soil, water and human resources -- could be utilised properly.

Urging all not to depend any more on nature for trees and forests, she said "we have to plant trees, we have to create forests".

She urged everyone to start planting saplings and develop it into a habit in order to make Bangladesh full of trees in the next 10 years.

"That would be the biggest social success. We have been trying to build that movement. I call upon all of you to join this movement," she added.

With the monsoon approaching, she said, this is the right time to plant trees which need water. "Those who do not have private land should plant trees in open government land," she said, and called upon all to plant medicinal plants along with fruit bearing and timber.