Clean, green Dhaka to be built thru collective efforts: DNCC Administrator

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan has said that Dhaka will be transformed into a clean and green city through collective efforts and active participation from all sections of society.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a tree-planting programme in the capital’s Uttara area on Saturday.

Shafiqul Islam Khan said private organisations have come forward to support the long-term greening plan in line with government directives, describing the initiative as an important step towards building a sustainable urban environment.

“The government will extend all-out support to the city’s greening initiatives,” the DNCC administrator said.
He said the DNCC has undertaken a plan to plant 500,000 trees over the next five years. So far, around 55,000 trees have been planted, while beautification and greening projects along major roads, including those in Mohakhali, Farmgate and Bijoynagar, are progressing rapidly.

He also referred to the government’s target of planting 250 million trees across the country over five years, saying that special emphasis has been placed on making Dhaka greener as part of the broader initiative.

A key feature of the tree-planting programme is ensuring the regular maintenance and protection of the trees after they are planted. Under the initiative, around 1,500 students from 500 educational institutions will be directly involved in caring for the newly planted trees.

The students will later be brought under a scholarship programme to encourage their continued involvement in environmental protection.

Describing the initiative as a commendable and forward-looking effort, Shafiqul Islam Khan said engaging young people in environmental conservation could serve as an exemplary model for others.

Alongside greening initiatives, the DNCC administrator stressed the need to build a cleaner Dhaka. He said it was not possible for a megacity to remain completely clean through the efforts of the city corporation alone.

“Citizens must also be responsible and aware,” he said, urging people not to throw plastic bottles, disposable cups, tissues, water containers or other waste on roads or in public places.

He called on residents to dispose of waste in designated bins and places, saying that public awareness and collective action were essential to turning the vision of “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” into reality.

Among others, DNCC Regional Executive Officer of Zone-6 Md Ziaur Rahman and DNCC Supervising Engineer Mohammad Abul Kashem attended the programme.-UNB