Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has said that the ongoing development in Bangladesh can only be sustainable if a large number of trees are planted regularly. “If we destroy nature, nature will not protect us,” she warned on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the “Better Dhaka District Initiatives” in Savar, the Advisor emphasized that tackling the severe air, noise, and dust pollution in Dhaka and surrounding areas requires immediate action. “Planting trees is the first step toward change. But it is not enough to just plant trees—we must also take responsibility for their care and protection,” she added.
The day-long tree plantation program, organized by the Dhaka District Administration, was held under the slogan: “Let Savar live in green; let a thousand dreams fly in the blue sky.” As part of the initiative, one lakh (100,000) saplings were planted across Savar in a single day to support environmental and ecological conservation.
The Environment Advisor further stated that in order to reduce air pollution, the government is planning to declare a ban on the establishment and operation of brick kilns in Savar and surrounding areas. She also called for a nationwide effort to phase out harmful polythene and single-use plastics and urged citizens not to burn waste indiscriminately. To combat noise pollution, she appealed to drivers to refrain from unnecessary honking. “Sustainability does not end with tree planting,” she remarked, “It requires active participation from the public in all efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity.”
The event was chaired by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Mr. Tanvir Ahmed. Special guests included Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Mr. Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer Ms. Mahmuda Roksana, Director of the Department of Environment Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, and Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mr. Abubakar Sarkar.
Following the formal session, the Environment Advisor planted a jackfruit sapling in the courtyard of Savar Upazila Parishad to inaugurate the mass tree plantation program. She later briefed journalists, reiterating that the government will continue legal action against environmental polluters.
