ZCZC
BSS-01
CITY-TREE-PLANTATION (with picture)
Rajshahi city gets new look amid massive plantation
By Dr Aynal Haque
RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2020 (BSS)- Rajshahi city has got a new look amid
massive plantation of fruit and forest trees and decorative plants and trees
and other beautification works drawing the attention of the commoners,
particularly the visitors.
Some 32,446 trees were planted besides creating scores of green zones
through councilors, officers and employees of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC)
from June to December, 2019.
City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said tree plantation activities on
vacant places, road dividers and footpaths are being conducted in the current
year. 6,000 flower and other ornamental and decorative tree saplings were
already planted till August last, he added.
At present, road dividers and islands on around 24-kilometer roads in the
city were greened. Varieties of decorative and beautification trees were
planted on the dividers, islands and footpaths of the city’s main roads.
Besides, 7,520 saplings of fruit and herbal trees were distributed among
the citizens for plantation through 40 ward councilors to expedite and
encourage the social forestry activities.
Liton said the city corporation is determined to make the metropolis
green, healthy and environment-friendly through massive plantations with an
ultimate goal of safeguarding the city environment and biodiversity.
Massive tree plantation can help reduce carbon emission at a substantial
level and that is very important to protect ecological balance in the dried
region, he continued.
The mayor viewed that there is no alternative to creating more forest area
to address the adverse impacts of climate change caused by global warming.
Fruit tree plantation can also be the effective means of meeting
nutritional demands with food security and ecological balance, he added.
The city corporation had also implemented a project titled ‘Zero soil’ to
cover all the available topsoil with greenery and various trees.
RCC Chief Engineer Khandaker Khairul Bashar said Padma River bank adjacent
to the Sahed Bazar area of the city has turned into an attractive tourist and
recreational spot for people after implementation of a beautification project
by the city corporation.
Under the project amusement spots, open stage, gallery, park, bridge,
walkway and other need-based infrastructures were constructed at a cost of
around Taka 4.22 crore.
New infrastructure and facilities are encouraging an increased number of
people to pass their leisure with families and friends enjoying the beauty of
the Padma.
Borokuthi River bank and Lalon Shah River Resort were also decorated with
a new look to attract more visitors and facilitate the cultural organisations
to arrange various programmes to attract the visitors.
Mayor Liton expressed his firm resolve to restore the scenic beauty of the
river bank and enhance the cleanliness drive in the area to facilitate large
numbers of people to enjoy their visit in a comfortable atmosphere.
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has also implemented a river
bank protection project adjacent to the city also bringing a new look in
2,650-meter areas from Bulanpur to Harupur.
Rajshahi University Professor Bidhan Chandra Das said tree plantation and
other promotional activities in the city had contributed to reducing air
pollution in Rajshahi.
BSS/SPL/AH/SSS/0942 hrs