Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has formed a high-level committee headed by its chief executive officer to prepare a comprehensive tree plantation master plan across its 10 administrative zones, as the civic body seeks to expand urban greening and strengthen earthquake preparedness.
The decision was taken at a special meeting held at Nagar Bhaban on Thursday, chaired by DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam. The meeting also agreed to enhance coordination among DSCC, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) and the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate to improve preparedness for major natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, DSCC said in a press release.
The committee, to be convened by the chief executive officer, will draw up a detailed plantation plan covering all 10 zones of the city corporation as part of efforts to turn the National Tree Plantation Programme into a broader social movement.
“We are committed to making the city greener and more environmentally friendly,” Abdus Salam said.
The meeting was informed that DSCC has already planted nearly 18,000 trees on road medians under its ‘Zero Soil’ project as part of its environmental protection initiatives.
Officials also said the corporation formally launched this year’s National Tree Plantation Programme on 16 June with the simultaneous planting of 600 saplings across the DSCC area.
Alongside the tree plantation initiative, participants discussed measures to reduce disaster risks in the capital. The meeting unanimously agreed that closer institutional coordination among DSCC, RAJUK and the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate would be essential to strengthening preparedness for earthquakes and other major natural disasters.
Senior officials of Dhaka South City Corporation attended the meeting.
