Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan on Saturday said Dhaka would be transformed into a clean and green city through collective efforts from authorities and citizens.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a tree plantation programme in Uttara in the capital.
The DNCC administrator said private organisations had come forward to support the government’s long-term greening plan, which would play an important role in building a sustainable urban environment.
He said the government would provide all-out support for initiatives aimed at making the city greener.
The DNCC has taken an initiative to plant 500,000 trees across its jurisdiction over the next five years. So far, around 55,000 trees have been planted, while work on beautifying and greening road medians in areas including Mohakhali, Farmgate and Bijoynagar is progressing rapidly.
Khan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had announced a plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country over five years, with greening Dhaka receiving special focus under the initiative.
He said a key feature of the programme was ensuring regular maintenance and protection of trees after plantation.
Around 1,500 students from 500 educational institutions will be directly involved in caring for the trees, he said.
The students will later be brought under a scholarship programme to encourage greater participation among young people in environmental protection.
Calling the initiative “noble and visionary”, Khan said engaging young people in environmental conservation could set an example for society.
He also stressed that keeping Dhaka clean was as important as greening the city, saying it was not possible for the city corporation alone to keep a megacity completely clean.
“Citizens must also be responsible and aware,” he said.
The DNCC administrator urged residents to dispose of plastic bottles, single-use cups, tissues, water containers and other waste in designated bins rather than throwing them on roads or open spaces.
He said the vision of a “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” could only be achieved through public awareness and collective efforts.
