Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has honoured environmental activist Shakhawat Ullah, widely known as ‘Brikkhoshokha’, recognising his nationwide tree plantation and conservation efforts.
Eastern Bank PLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ali Reza Iftekhar presented the honour at a ceremony held at the bank’s corporate headquarters in Gulshan on Thursday.
The recognition was given under the bank’s initiative titled “EBL Mission Bangladesh Returns 2025”, through which four individuals were honoured this year for their contributions to society and the environment.
Over the past eight years, Shakhawat Ullah has planted more than 1,80,000 trees in 35 districts across Bangladesh with support from a network of more than 400 young volunteers.
In addition to plantation efforts, he has been working to protect endangered tree species, conserve rare plants and raise awareness about river and bird conservation.
Shakhawat Ullah said he formally launched the initiative in 2018 by planting 100 Krishnachura trees, which later expanded into a nationwide programme.
Following an accident in 2020 while collecting tree saplings, he decided to intensify his environmental activities and later established the Chandrakali Foundation to support the initiative.
Shakhawat Ullah, who works at the public relations firm Berlo Communications Ltd, said the foundation aims to plant another one million trees across Bangladesh by 2030.
