KHULNA, June 4: Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Nazrul Islam Manju on Thursday stressed the need for coordinated efforts by government and non-government organisations to build an environment-friendly, healthy and liveable Khulna City.
He said all stakeholders must play responsible roles in protecting the environment through planned tree plantation, conservation of forests and water bodies, safe transportation and proper waste management.
Highlighting the importance of planned urbanisation to maintain ecological balance, Manju said practical initiatives are needed to address climate change and ensure a habitable planet for future generations.
He was speaking at the human chain programme at the Moylapota intersection in the morning. A bicycle rally, cleanliness drive and tree plantation programmes were also organised to mark the World Environment Day-2026.
The programme was jointly arranged by Healthy City Forum along with several organizations, including BELA, SIAM, Active Citizen Platform, NirapadSarak Chai, BDKIN, Clean-Up Khulna, BIP, Khulna Cyclists, CDP, MASAS, Rupantar, AmraBrihattorKhulnabashi and Brihattor Khulna Unnayan Sangram Samannay Committee.
The event was held under the international theme of World Environment Day, "Inspired by Nature -- For Climate, For Our Future."
Speakers at the programme said people are increasingly suffering from the adverse impacts of environmental degradation, including extreme heat, prolonged heatwave, scarcity of safe drinking water, floods, storm surges and destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems.
They noted that environmental challenges are not only disrupting public life but also increasing government expenditure and intensifying the struggle for survival.
The speakers said the main objective of the programme is to raise public awareness against environmental destruction, unite government and private institutions as well as ordinary citizens in environmental protection efforts, and promote international environmental agreements and policies.
The programme was chaired by BELA Coordinator and Convener of Healthy City Forum Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul. It was moderated by President of Active Citizen Platform Omar Faruk Kochi and Member Secretary of Healthy City Forum and Executive Director of SIAM Advocate Md. MasumBillah.
Among others, KCC Conservancy Officer Engineer Md. Anisur Rahman, Administrative Officer Molla Maruf Rashid, Executive Director of Rupantar Swapan Guha, Programme Officer of the World Health Organisation Asif Ahmed, Member Secretary of Nirapad Sarak Chai- Khulna Mahabubur RahmanMunna, Assistant Manager of CDP Khokon Sikder, Environment Secretary of Nagorik Forum G.M. Moin Uddin and MASAS Executive Director Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu addressed the programme.
Officials of various organisations, environmental activists, volunteers, journalists and representatives of professional bodies were also present.
