CU Correspondent
In a drive to preserve ecological balance, protect biodiversity, and enrich campus greenery, a day-long tree plantation campaign was held across three residential halls at Chittagong University (CU) on Monday, August 10, resulting in the planting of 520 saplings.
The environmental campaign was organized by Chandrakoli Foundation in collaboration with Our Green Campus and the Youth 3R Society, CU unit. Commencing at 10:30 AM from Suhrawardy Hall, the plantation initiative subsequently covered Atish Dipankar Hall and Shamsunnahar Hall.
Speaking as the chief guest, former CU Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Advisor to Chandrakoli Foundation, Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, emphasized that environmental conservation requires active practice rather than mere rhetoric. He noted that planting a tree is directly linked to sustaining life and highlighted the necessity of balancing development with ecological preservation, cautioning that either extreme environmentalism or unchecked development would prove detrimental.
President of Chandrakoli Foundation, Shakhawat Ullah, popularly known as “Brikkho Shokha,” underscored the critical importance of post-plantation care and nurturing to ensure the survival of the saplings. He stated that the initiative contributes directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged the university community to prioritize the conservation of rare and endangered native tree species to expand botanical diversity across the campus.
According to organizers, Chandrakoli Foundation has planted more than 200,000 trees across 35 districts over the past eight years with the support of over 400 youth volunteers nationwide, actively engaging in the preservation of endangered flora, rivers, and avian ecosystems.
The program was attended by Suhrawardy Hall Provost Abdul Mannan, Shamsunnahar Hall Provost Professor Dr. Begum Ismat Ara Haque, and Atish Dipankar Hall Provost A.G.M. Niaz Uddin. Also present were faculty members including Nurnabi (Bangladesh Studies), Saidur Rahman (Criminology and Police Science), Naznin Akter Nilu (Communication and Journalism), university official Md. Daud Nabi, and representatives from the respective hall councils.