Khulna launches drive to plant 50,000 trees

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju inaugurated a campaign to plant 50,000 trees across the city on Monday, highlighting afforestation as a key measure to combat the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Ahsan Ullah College ground, Manju said the region is increasingly facing climate-related challenges and that large-scale tree plantation is essential to strengthening environmental resilience.

He said the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of building a greener and more environmentally sustainable country. Under the programme, trees will be planted along roadsides, medians, government offices, religious institutions, and other unused public spaces across the city.

The two-month plantation drive has been undertaken by the social organisation Brihattor Amra Khulnabashi in support of the government’s greening efforts.

Thanking the organisers for launching the initiative, Manju said KCC has also planned to plant palm trees along both banks of the Mayur River. He urged educational institutions, social organisations, and community groups to actively participate in tree plantation activities and help turn the movement into a broader social campaign.

The programme was chaired by Moshiuzzaman Khan, president of the college governing body and chief engineer of KCC.

Among others, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management) Irufa Sultana, District Education Officer SM Chayedur Rahman, District Primary Education Officer Sheikh Ahidul Alam, Ahsan Ullah College Principal SM Abdus Salam, KCC Veterinary Officer Dr Peru Gopal Biswas, Khulna Press Club General Secretary Md Tarikul Islam, senior journalist Kazi Motahar Rahman Babu, Brihattor Amra Khulnabashi President Dr Nasir Uddin, and social worker Md Asaduzzaman Murad addressed the event.

The organisation’s General Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Khokon delivered the welcome speech. Members of the organisation and local dignitaries were also present at the programme.