Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has outlined a series of measures to make Dhaka a cleaner and greener city.
He shared the details during a question-and-answer session in the National Parliament on Wednesday (April 29), presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The response came after a query from Comilla-9 MP Md. Abul Kalam about steps taken to improve the capital’s environment.
The Prime Minister said both Dhaka North and South City Corporations are implementing coordinated initiatives under the Local Government Department. These include weekly public awareness campaigns, stronger mosquito control drives, and expanded cleanliness programmes.
Efforts are also underway to modernise waste management. Secondary transfer stations are being upgraded with landscaping, greening, and awareness murals. In Dhaka South, tree plantation programmes are ongoing across road medians, islands, and open spaces.
A major plan has been taken to transform the Matuail landfill into an integrated waste management and energy production centre through foreign investment, aiming for a “zero waste” system.
In Dhaka North, urban forestry initiatives such as Miyawaki forests are being introduced. The corporation has set a target to plant 500,000 trees over the next five years. Additional plantation drives are planned under metro rail routes and elevated expressways.
The government is also prioritising air pollution control. The Department of Environment, in collaboration with the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, is working to introduce modern bus services, including 250 electric buses.
Authorities have identified major pollution sources with support from the World Bank. Mobile courts are regularly taking action against black smoke-emitting vehicles, construction dust, and other violations.
Illegal brick kilns around Dhaka are being shut down through enforcement drives. In Savar, declared a degraded airshed, activities such as brick burning and open waste burning have been banned.
To increase greenery, the Forest Department is working with city corporations and other agencies to plant trees along roads, canals, and public spaces. So far, over 41,000 saplings have been planted under joint programmes.
Ground cover plants, shrubs, and grasses are also being used to reduce dust pollution. These efforts are part of a wider national goal to plant 250 million trees over the next five years.
The Prime Minister said that through coordinated action and sustained efforts, Dhaka can gradually become a clean and green city.
