DNCC plans 500,000 trees to make Dhaka greener

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan has called for collective action to turn Dhaka into a clean and green city, as the corporation expands its five-year tree plantation programme.

He made the call while inaugurating a tree plantation programme in Uttara on Saturday, highlighting the growing involvement of private organisations and young people in the city’s greening efforts.

The DNCC has planned to plant 500,000 trees across its area over the next five years, with around 55,000 trees already planted, according to the administrator.

Work is also progressing on beautifying and greening road medians in areas including Mohakhali, Farmgate and Bijoynagar.

Shafiqul Islam Khan said private organisations had come forward to support the government’s long-term greening plan, describing their participation as important for developing a sustainable urban environment.

He said the government would provide all-out support for initiatives aimed at increasing greenery across the city.

The administrator said the Prime Minister had announced a plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country over five years, with greening Dhaka receiving particular attention under the initiative.

The DNCC programme will place particular emphasis on maintaining and protecting trees after they are planted.

Around 1,500 students from 500 educational institutions will be directly involved in caring for the trees.
The students will later be brought under a scholarship programme to encourage wider participation among young people in environmental protection.

Khan described the initiative as “noble and visionary”, saying the involvement of young people in environmental protection could set an example for others.

He stressed that planting trees alone would not be enough and that their regular maintenance and protection would be essential to the success of the programme.

The DNCC administrator also stressed that greening Dhaka must go hand in hand with keeping the capital clean.

He said it was not possible for the city corporation alone to keep a megacity completely clean, urging citizens to take greater responsibility.

“Citizens must also be responsible and aware,” he said.

Khan urged residents to dispose of plastic bottles, single-use cups, tissues, water containers and other waste in designated bins or places instead of throwing them on streets or in open spaces.

He said public awareness and collective efforts were essential to turn the vision of “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” into reality.