Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has allocated Tk 20 crore for tree planting in the 2023-24 fiscal year to green the city and keep temperatures bearable. A further Tk 2 crore has been set aside for afforestation and care.

Mayor Atiqul Islam gave the figures at the announcement of the 2023-24 budget at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2 on Monday afternoon, 24 July. He said that under the slogan "Green living all year round", planned tree planting was being undertaken to turn Dhaka into a lush, beautiful city.

The DNCC mayor said that, with cleaning, greening and feeding in mind, two lakh trees would be planted over the next two years, in a planned way along every road divider and footpath in the DNCC area.

"I do not want to leave any space empty," the mayor said. Chhatim, bakul, kathbadam (tropical almond), krishnachura, sonalu and other trees will be planted on footpaths, and fruit trees such as mango, jam and jackfruit, along with medicinal plants, along the canals. "In consultation with the forest department we are planting roskau. Birds love its fruit." He said large-scale planting would lower the city's temperature, help protect the environment and make the city more beautiful.

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