Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC has planted 1,000 saplings of various native species across different halls and premises of Dhaka University (DU) as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives and environmental conservation efforts.
The tree plantation programme, inaugurated on Monday in collaboration with Dhaka University’s Arboriculture Centre and the Dhaka University Environment Society, featured a rally and discussion session under the slogan “Let Us Green Our Country Through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh First,” said a press release.
Former DU Vice-Chancellor S M A Faiz attended as chief guest, with Al-Arafah Bank Managing Director Rafat Ullah Khan presiding over the event.
Faiz said trees play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance, mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and protecting human life and biodiversity. “Tree plantation is not merely a social initiative, rather, it is a responsibility to ensure a healthy, sustainable and liveable planet for future generations,” he said, expressing gratitude to the bank for the initiative.
Khan said environmental conservation and greening are important components of corporate social responsibility. “Our responsibility does not end with planting trees; ensuring proper care and maintenance of the planted saplings is equally important,” he said.
DU Biological Sciences Dean Abdul Karim, Soil, Water and Environment Department Chairman Abu Hena Md. Zulfiquar Ali, Professor Babuna Faiz, Professor Naderuzzaman, Professor Mohiuddin, Arboriculture Centre Director Zashim Uddin, Al-Arafah Bank Deputy Managing Director Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury, Senior Executive Vice President Monjurul Alam, Senior Assistant Vice President Mizanur Rahman and Assistant Vice President A S M Shamsuddhoha were present.
Speakers emphasised the importance of extensive tree plantation for environmental conservation, mitigating climate change impacts and ensuring sustainable development.
The bank is implementing similar tree plantation programmes at eight leading universities across the country, including BUET and the University of Chittagong, as well as at two bank branches, with saplings of forest, fruit-bearing and medicinal species to be planted.
