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21 November, 2024

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Join us in celebrating Natural Oxygen Conservation Day on May 7th

On May 7th, 2021, the trees in Suhrawardy Udyan, which had become a lush green forest in the heart of the capital, had been scheduled to be cut down to make way for new construction. However, people from different walks of life, including environmentalists, urbanists, and nature lovers, protested against the cutting of trees in this historic park, and as a result of their efforts, the cutting of trees in Suhrawardy Park was halted. On that day, Mr. Alamgir Kabir, Chief Coordinator of Green Voice, called for the celebration of Natural Oxygen Conservation Day on May 7th.

Natural Oxygen Conservation Day has been observed with due dignity for the last two years. While other countries build infrastructure while preserving nature, in our country, trees are being cut down and concrete structures are being built, which is deemed as 'killing nature'. They believe that structures can be built without destroying nature. Instead, designs should be made in such a way as to preserve nature while building the structure. Nobody objects to the construction of the Independence Pillar project in Suhrawardy Udyan. However, the trees in Suhrawardy Udyan, known as the lungs of the city, should not be cut down under any circumstances while implementing this project. The project should be carried out in a way that protects nature.

Dhaka has long been considered an unlivable city. It lacks the minimum environment required to sustain city life. It has become a city of bricks and stones, filled with all types of pollution, including air pollution, noise pollution, and waste pollution. It has been ranked among the cities with the worst air pollution in recent months. Traffic congestion and waterlogging are daily problems. People are suffering from various serious diseases due to air pollution, and many are silently going deaf due to noise pollution. The traffic-jammed city feels like a giant garage. People are living in a terrible city. As much of the natural environment as possible is being cleared, and various concrete structures are being built. As the natural environment disappears, the temperature in the city rises. If one calculates, it can be seen that Dhaka is one of the hottest cities in the world. At one time, Dhaka was one of the greenest cities in the world, with more than half a century of canals, reservoirs, and lakes. It had a pleasant natural environment, and there was no other city like it in the world. However, the canals have been lost due to unplanned urbanization and illegal encroachment by the public and private sectors. The lake reservoir has shrunk. A decade ago, green plants could be seen on both sides of the road in Dhaka, but they have disappeared due to various mega projects, including road widening. Trees on main thoroughfares and residential areas have been cut down, and there is nothing green left. Dhaka has been turned into a city of stone. Ramana Park and Suhrawardy Udyan have somehow survived in this concrete city. These two gardens are known as the lungs of the city. Unplanned urbanization appears to have affected these two parks as well. Suhrawardy Udyan, once covered with lush greenery, has now become a concrete structure, with hundreds of trees cut down. A few years ago, the city corporation launched an initiative to create a green city, planting trees on road islands and between roads. However, this initiative is no longer visible, and the old green nature has been destroyed in the name of road renovation and various projects. Needless to say, it is easier to destroy nature than to rebuild it. Nature is being rapidly destroyed in the name of various projects.

The way the entire country, including Dhaka, is being transformed.