DSCC to turn Dhaka South green to combat air pollution

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will launch daily tree-planting programmes across its areas to improve the environment, reduce air pollution and make the capital more liveable, DSCC Administrator Freedom Fighter Md Abdus Salam has said.

He made the remarks on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a tree-planting and sapling distribution programme at Motijheel Government Boys' High School in Dhaka.

The programme was organised by the DSCC in collaboration with Environment Development Organisation-Bangladesh as part of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's priority initiatives on environmental conservation and tackling climate change.

"We do not have as many trees in Dhaka as we used to. Today, Dhaka ranks among the world's most polluted cities in terms of air quality, which is something none of us wants," Abdus Salam said.

He said increasing tree cover was essential to protect the environment, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help prevent pollution-related diseases.

"There is no alternative to planting more trees to protect nature and reduce carbon dioxide," he said.

25 crore trees planned nationwide

Recalling his childhood at Motijheel Government Boys' High School, the DSCC administrator said the gardens and greenery he remembered from his school days had largely disappeared.

He compared trees with the Sundarbans, which provide natural protection to Bangladesh during cyclones and storms.

"Just as the Sundarbans protect Bangladesh during storms, trees keep us alive by providing oxygen," he said.

Abdus Salam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had developed long-term plans for environmental protection even before taking office, including a nationwide target of planting 25 crore (250 million) trees.

He said 500 saplings had already been distributed at Motijheel Government Boys' High School, while 500 saplings had also been allocated to each parliamentary constituency.

He said tree-planting activities had been conducted in Kamrangirchar on Sunday and would be carried out in Khilgaon within the next two days.

"The programme will continue uninterrupted," he said.

Students urged to plant trees

Calling on students to take responsibility for environmental protection, Abdus Salam said they would become the country's future leaders.

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"I urge every student to plant at least one tree at home, on the rooftop or in a pot," he said.

He also urged students to prepare themselves to take on leadership roles in the future.

The programme was chaired by Professor Syeda Fatema Salam, president of Environment Development Organisation-Bangladesh.

Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid and Motijheel Government Boys' High School acting headteacher Tahmina Yasmin attended the event as special guests.

The guests later planted saplings on the school premises and distributed fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal plants among students and their parents.