Bangladesh Tobacco Company s (BTC) free sapling distribution centre, Bonsai nursery at Kalabagan was formally inaugurated by the Minister for Forest and Environment. Col (Retd) Akbar Hossain, BP yesterday. This is the second year of the nursery, the only one of its kind set up by a commercial organisation aimed at encouraging tree plantation by the urban based people, says a press release.

While going around the nursery the minister said that the government’s nationwide tree plantation initiative has been successful in creating awareness in all sections of society. As a result both government and private organisations as well as individuals have made conscious efforts in tree plantation. However, he stressed that ensuring the survival of these trees was just as important as plantation itself.

He commended Bangladesh Tobacco Company’s initiative and the results achieved under its afforestation project in the last 16 years, during which time it has planted or distributed 19 million saplings to different organisations and individuals.

Also present on the occasion were top officials of BTC including managing Director. Hugh Tweed. Leaf Director. G Mainuddin. Production Director. Saiful Islam and Corporate Cpmmunlcatlons Manger. Mahmudur Rahman. During discussions with the minister. Tweed informed that BTC. a subsidiary of UK based BAT. runs its afforestation programme as part of BAT's worldwide commitment to afforestation.