Manju inaugurates tree plantation programme in Khulna
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju today inaugurated a citywide tree plantation programme as part of a nationwide afforestation campaign aimed at planting 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years. The programme was formally launched at Shaheed Hadis Park in Khulna city, where the administrator planted a sapling and distributed tree saplings among participants.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, Manju said the government is implementing various commitments made to the people, including the introduction of Family Cards, Farmers’ Cards and Health Cards, alongside reforms in the education and healthcare sectors. He said the tree plantation initiative was undertaken by KCC following the nationwide launch of the programme by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman at Dulahazara in Cox’s Bazar.
Under the initiative, KCC has set a target of planting 60,000 trees across the metropolitan area within 180 days. Seeking cooperation from all sections of society, the administrator said KCC is committed to expanding urban greenery and creating a more environmentally sustainable city. KCC Chief Revenue Officer Rahima Sultana Bushra chaired the programme. Former KCC Mayor Mohammad Moniruzzaman and former Member of Parliament Syeda Nargis Ali, among others, attended the event.
Earlier in the day, Manju inaugurated a photo exhibition titled “Voice of the Coast: Journey of Climate Resilience” at Shaheed Hadis Park. Speaking at the opening ceremony, he said climate change has created persistent challenges for people living in coastal areas, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Cyclones Sidr and Amphan and the devastating impact of Aila.
He noted that coastal communities continue to struggle with the loss of homes, livelihoods and biodiversity, forcing many residents to wage a constant battle against adverse natural conditions. The exhibition was organised by the Department of Women Affairs, Khulna, highlighting activities implemented under a project financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and UNDP Bangladesh are jointly implementing the project in five upazilas of Khulna and Satkhira districts.
The initiative aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of coastal communities, particularly women, improve access to safe drinking water and help residents cope with the impacts of salinity caused by climate change. Officials said that upon completion, the project is expected to directly and indirectly benefit 7, 19,229 people across the five upazilas.
