The Dhaka University (DU) Environment Council held a "Tree Planting and Clean Campus Drive" on Friday, 14 August, at the Mall Chattar next to the vice-chancellor's residence. Opening the programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam stressed planting more native tree species to tackle Dhaka's growing pollution.

The vice-chancellor said planting trees is not enough on its own; the trees must be properly cared for and protected. He urged students to play an effective role in protecting the environment and keeping the campus clean.

He added that with everyone's joint effort, the Dhaka University campus can be made a green, clean and model campus.

The opening session was chaired by Professor Dr Mohammad Jasim Uddin, chief adviser of the DU Environment Council, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam as special guest.

Also speaking were Professor Dr A H M Zulfiqar Ali, chairman of the Department of Soil, Water and Environment; Professor Dr Ashfaque Ahmed, chairman of the Department of Botany; A T M Abdul Bari Dani, chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC); and M Abu Rafi, senior joint convener of the Environment Council.

After the discussion, a Boilam sapling was planted at the Mall Chattar and a native lotkon (burmese grape) sapling at the vice-chancellor's residence.

The programme focused on raising awareness among students and others about keeping the campus clean as well as planting trees to protect the environment.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.