DDM decided to plant 4 million palm trees across the country under Kabikha and TR projects in 2017. Within two years, palm trees were destroyed in some places or in some places the money was wasted without planting trees.
According to the DDM, about 1 billion taka was spent on tree plantation but the number of deaths did not reduce.
Planning Commission sources said the project was launched without any discussion with stakeholders or conducting any pilot project.
State Minister Enamur Rahman had said at an event on May 11 last year that the palm tree planting project had been canceled because palm trees take 30 to 40 years to mature.
DDM now believes that tree planting was not the right strategy to reduce lightning.
DDM director general Mizanur Rahman told Prothom Alo that it is scientifically proven that palm trees can reduce deaths caused by lightning.
He said that to his knowledge, electric arrests are effective in reducing mortality.
BMD took the initiative to install lightning detection sensors at eight locations in 2018, so that the sensors can give warning of lightning 10 to 30 minutes in advance.
Majidul Islam was the director of the project. He told Prothom Alo on 11 December that the sensors could not be maintained well due to lack of manpower.
Some sensors turn off due to connection, power or internet problems.