The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) planted 400 fruit, timber, and medicinal saplings along a four-kilometer stretch of the Pagla-Birgaon road on July 4.
The initiative, spanning the West Pagla and East Birgaon unions, is part of 'Tree Planting Week-2026' and supports the Prime Minister’s broader target to plant 250 million trees nationwide over the next five years. LGED plans to roll out similar planting drives across other roads in the upazila every six months.
Shantiganj Upazila Engineer Sajedul Alam highlighted the importance of community support to ensure the initiative's success.
"We often see unscrupulous individuals uprooting newly planted trees, which derails government efforts and harms the environment," Alam said. "Public awareness and community surveillance are crucial to ensure these saplings grow safely."
Local residents have welcomed the greening effort, noting that once mature, the trees will provide much-needed shade, fresh air, and fruit for pedestrians while helping stabilize the local ecosystem.
