The University of Dhaka (DU) has completed its first comprehensive tree census, identifying 17,161 trees across 277 species and creating a scientific database to support long-term environmental management, biodiversity conservation and campus greening initiatives. The findings of the Comprehensive Tree Census 2025 were unveiled on Thursday at the conference room of the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building.
The programme was chaired by Professor Dr Mohammad Zashim Uddin, Director of the University of Dhaka Arboriculture Centre, while Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam attended as chief guest. The census provides detailed information on species diversity, carbon storage, tree health, environmental contribution and the spatial distribution of trees across the campus, the university said in a press release.
Addressing the programme, Obaidul Islam said the census had established a reliable database on the university’s tree resources that would support future greening programmes and environmental management.
He stressed the importance of expanding environmentally friendly and native tree plantations, conserving biodiversity and adopting long-term planning to develop the University of Dhaka into a greener, more attractive and sustainable campus.
The vice-chancellor said planned tree planting and sound environmental management should create a campus where students, teachers and visitors could move comfortably in a clean environment. He called for coordinated efforts to conserve environmentally friendly trees, increase the number of fruit-bearing and beneficial species, and maintain ecological balance.
Special guests included Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker and Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Dr Md Humayun Kabir. The programme was jointly organised by the University of Dhaka Arboriculture Centre, the University of Dhaka Environment Society and the Bangladesh Society for Ecological Research Initiative.
Abdus Salam said the census would contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation, environmental protection and sustainable greening plans for the campus. He highlighted the importance of planting native tree species that can tolerate air pollution, conserving water bodies and developing a biodiversity-rich natural environment.
Alfasane described the census as an important step towards environmental conservation and building a sustainable campus. He emphasised the need to identify hazardous trees, take timely remedial action and gradually expand tree plantation.
The census, conducted in 2025, divided the campus into five principal survey units and more than 45 sub-units. Information on every tree was collected using the Direct Measurement Method, while internationally recognised scientific techniques were used to calculate species diversity, biomass, carbon storage and other indicators. An open-access digital tree database linked to Google My Maps and ArcGIS was also developed.
According to the findings, the campus contains 17,161 trees belonging to 277 species under 62 families. Native species account for 58% of total species diversity, while exotic species make up 42%. Based on the total number of trees, native species represent 54% and exotic species 46%.
Among the 15 most dominant species, five are exotic: mahogany, deodar, Macarthur palm, rain tree and teak.
The survey estimated total above-ground biomass at 9,900 metric tonnes and below-ground biomass at 2,370 metric tonnes, with the trees storing around 4,650 metric tonnes of carbon. Native trees contribute 21.5% of total biomass, compared with 78.5% for exotic species.
By function, the university’s tree resources comprise 25% fruit-bearing trees, 22% wildlife-supporting species, 21% medicinal trees, 20% timber-producing trees and 12% ornamental trees. The health assessment identified 1,811 trees with varying levels of health risk, while 2,213 were classified as potential tree hazards.
