Inspiring the youth to build a greener world
Founded on World Environment Day (June 5) in 2015, Green Echo, led by Sanjoy Chowdhury, aims at ensuring a greener and better future for the next generations.
Born and raised in Kurigram, Sanjoy is currently a student of Geography and Environment Science at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur. "When I came to study in Rangpur, our campus had just a handful of trees. Now, with the initiative of one of our teachers and several students, we have more than 33,000 trees here," shares Sanjoy.
A nature enthusiast, poet and singer by passion, Sanjoy is the general secretary of Ronon, a cultural organisation at Begum Rokeya University, and the organisational secretary of Jatiya Kabita Parishad Divisional Branch in Rangpur. On Bangladesh's first River Olympiad, held in 2016, his song, Roktoshunno Desh, was selected as the theme song. Afterwards, he worked with Nirmalendu Goon and Fazlur Rahman Babu among others.
Sanjoy and his team started their journey with Green Echo by planting the rare tree, Kigelia, in Kurigram. They plan to plant this tree in 64 districts across Bangladesh. The main objective of the organisation is to involve students in environmental movements. With that ideology, Green Echo is associated with various educational institutes across the country.
Volunteers from Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Kurigram Govt College, Chittagong University, Nageswari College, Rangpur Govt College and Carmichael College among other institutions work with the organisation.
With members from different parts of the country, Green Echo has two active research teams working on air pollution and access to pure drinking water in Rangpur.
The organisation has been coordinating with other environmental establishments since their inception. They have successfully arranged programmes on special occasions such as Sundarban Day and World Environment Day.
"Taking care of the environment is now a dire need and we do our best to educate people on such matters," shares Topon Sen, a Green Echo volunteer, studying in Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University. He has been working with the organisation since 2018.
In their latest experiment, 30 members of the organisation have hanged around 150 clay pots on trees near their homes to protect endangered bird species and let them lay eggs safely. Amid the pandemic, members residing in their own hometowns have successfully ensured the arrival and growth of more than 200 hatchlings over the last couple of months. "We are communicating and coordinating with our members online and the results of this experiment have been promising so far," says Sanjoy.
Another one of their recent initiatives included planting 2,000 trees in Nageswari, Kurigram. However, owing to the ongoing pandemic, their activities were postponed after they planted 500 trees. Green Echo also campaigned to raise awareness against the nailing of trees.
"Inspiring the future generations to love and respect nature is our biggest goal," adds Sumon Sen, Green Echo volunteer and chief coordinator of Carmichael College Green Club.
Aiming to set Bangladesh as an example in tackling environmental pollution and other issues, the members of Green Echo thrive to create a greener world. "We expect future generations to be kinder to nature. Even while setting up industries, they need to take eco-friendly factors into account," concludes Sanjoy.
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