Masterplan for urban forestry taking shape
A masterplan is in the offing to bring the capital under planned forestation.
Initially, the plan will be prepared for Dhaka North City Corporation areas and gradually it will be extended to Dhaka South City Corporation and Gazipur, Narayanganj and other city corporations.
This was disclosed at an interactive video conference, marking World Environment Day on June 5 by DNCC Mayor Aitqul Islam.
The conference, titled "Masterplan for Urban Forestry" was organised to bring together professionals and environmentalists to work on a dedicated platform for planned urbanisation of Dhaka.
The mayor said tree plantations should take place under a database system. "We want to build a green and planned city, which is possible through a masterplan," he said, adding that the journey of making Dhaka green has started from this day to forming the platform.
Urging people to plant more trees, the mayor said, "Let us start afforestation from DNCC areas."
Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said the platform along with experts has been formed at this event to prepare a masterplan for the capital.
Initially this relevant committee of experts will prepare a set of recommendations for the plan, its identification, implementation and management process, Habib said.
After the masterplan is in place, all tree plantation and felling in the city will be based on the committee's recommendations, he said.
Dr Akter Mahmud, president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, said the key is to make the city liveable for its residents. Networks can be created among the rivers around Dhaka and the canals inside.
Jalal Ahmad, president of Institute of Architects Bangladesh, said they will always cooperate with the city corporation's masterplan to make the city liveable by filling the oxygen deficit, reducing pollution, reducing vehicles and increasing public transport.
There must be proper planning and implementation, he said, adding that they also need to come up with short-, mid- and long-term plans.
Istiaque Uddin Ahmed, president of Institute of Foresters Bangladesh, said if all the unplanned works are brought together in the masterplan, Dhaka will no longer be a gray city.
Mahfuz Hossain Mirdah, additional director of Department of Agricultural Extension, said they need to plant trees that are suitable for the city so that people can get additional benefits such as food and nutrition from them. The DAE can extend cooperation through manpower and technical advice in this regard, he added.
Ahsan Rony, urban agriculture expert, also stressed the importance of planting and protecting trees. He suggested that the city corporation becomes guardian/custodian of trees.
Prof AFM Jamal Uddin of the department of horticulture at Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University said they are ready to extend full cooperation in support of the masterplan.
Comments