Dhaka: Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Freedom Fighter Md Abdus Salam today expressed his determination to turn the DSCC area into green to protect environmental balance and make Dhaka a livable city. He said tree plantation programmes would be conducted daily in different areas of the city to reduce air pollution in the capital and restore nature to its previous state.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the administrator made these remarks while addressing a programme for distributing and planting fruit-bearing, forest, and medicinal saplings among students and guardians at Motijheel Government Boys' High School this morning. The programme was organised by the DSCC and initiated by Poribesh Unnayan Sangstha-Bangladesh as part of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's priority programme on environmental conservation and addressing climate change.
The administrator emphasized that Dhaka is among the top cities worldwide in terms of air pollution, which necessitates the planting of more trees to maintain environmental beauty and public health. He highlighted the role of trees in maintaining natural balance, reducing carbon dioxide, and supplying oxygen. Drawing from personal experience, Abdus Salam recalled the lush gardens of his childhood at Motijheel Government Boys' High School, underscoring the need to rejuvenate these natural spaces.
He mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had envisioned a comprehensive plan for environmental conservation prior to assuming power. This includes the ambitious goal of planting 250 million trees nationwide. The administrator stressed the urgency of planting more trees to safeguard the country's environment under current conditions.
In line with this initiative, 500 saplings have already been distributed at Motijheel Government Boys' High School, with similar distributions occurring in every electoral constituency. Recent tree planting activities took place in Kamrangirchar, with plans to extend to Khilgaon within two days. This initiative will persist regularly.
Addressing students, Abdus Salam noted that future national leadership would emerge from among them, urging them to prepare by contributing to environmental protection. He encouraged each student to plant at least one tree at home or elsewhere to support this cause.
The programme was presided over by Professor Syeda Fatema Salam, President of Poribesh Unnayan Sangstha-Bangladesh, with Dhaka-7 Member of Parliament Hamidur Rahman Hamid and Acting Head Teacher Tahmina Yasmin of Motijheel Government Boys' High School attending as special guests. The event concluded with the guests planting saplings on the school premises and distributing various saplings to students and guardians.