Dhaka: The three-month-long afforestation initiative by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has officially commenced today, with a focus on environmental protection and the creation of a green city. The programme was inaugurated by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan at the Hararbari premises of the Purbachal New Town Project, with DNCC administrator Mohammad Ezaz presiding over the event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the theme of this year's afforestation programme is 'Healthy City, Covered with Green'. During the inauguration, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the importance of sincere efforts to protect the city's ecology, warning that once the ecosystem is damaged, restoration becomes challenging. She reiterated the government's commitment to making Dhaka more livable by expanding its greenery and stressed the need for proper maintenance of the newly planted saplings.
DNCC administrator Mohammad Ezaz expressed optimism that this timely initiative would play a crucial role in safeguarding public health, enhancing the city's beauty, and preserving biodiversity. He highlighted that the ongoing tree plantation programme aims to reduce air pollution and improve public health. The DNCC has set a target to plant between 300,000 to 500,000 trees during the rainy season.
Ezaz further noted the necessity of improving public health to transform Dhaka into a livable city, underscoring the importance of pollution control to mitigate the public health crisis. As part of the DNCC's greenery programme, nearly 77,000 trees have already been planted in various locations, including road dividers, parks, playgrounds, and residential areas for lower-income groups in the 2023-24 fiscal year. These saplings include a variety of wood, fruit-bearing, herbal, and ornamental trees.
DNCC sources revealed that initiatives are being taken to raise public awareness by involving various voluntary organizations. A master plan-based urban afforestation project will be jointly executed with the Department of Forest and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). Particularly, significant plans are underway for the 43-kilometer-long lakeside and green belt area of the Purbachal New Town Project.
Additionally, the DNCC has introduced a 'Tree Service and Rooftop Support Center' to engage citizens with the afforestation programme. Residents can access information through the related website or by calling 01909110600. Following the tree plantation event, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and DNCC administrator Mohammad Ezaz launched a 'zero soil' programme in Banani.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by RAJUK Chairman Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam, Chief Conservator of Forest M Amir Hossain Chowdhury, and other officials from various departments.