The government plans to digitalise the afforestation programme and develop apps to ensure digital surveillance of trees and address environment and climate change.
The decision has been taken on the ground that digital technologies are being deployed to make afforestation activities more modern and accountable, according to the proposed national budget for 2026-27.
In addition, in order to address the impacts of climate change, 50 per cent of coastal mangrove forests will be brought under carbon trading mechanism.
Special measures have been taken to conserve biodiversity through the updating of the existing 'Red List' of wildlife for the protection of fauna.
Under this initiative, assessments will be conducted for a total of 2,200 species of wildlife, including marine species, to safeguard the country's rich biodiversity.
Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, initiatives have been taken to implement 11 new carbon trading projects.
Priority is being accorded to research, innovation and training activities to address the risks associated with climate change, said the proposed budget.
In FY 2026-27, initiatives will be taken for sustainable forest management, conservation of endangered forest species, to expand afforestation activities and research activities to ensure the innovative technologies reach people's doorsteps.
Degraded sal forests in the hilly regions (Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet) as well as in the central region will be restored.
Dividends will also be distributed among the best beneficiaries of social forestry programmes. Through these initiatives, approximately 3,50,000 green jobs will be created, both directly and indirectly, said the proposed budget.
Meanwhile, considering the depth and extent of the impacts of climate change, the finance minister proposed an allocation of Tk 1.0 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27 under the Climate Change Trust Fund to implement necessary activities.
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