KDA Chairman SM Shafiqul Alam Mona stresses greenery and open spaces alongside development for a healthy metropolitan Khulna. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, July 27, 2026 (BSS) - Chairman of the Khulna Development Authority (KDA) Advocate SM Shafiqul Alam Mona on Monday said a planned metropolitan city should not consist only of high-rise buildings and concrete structures, but must also have sufficient greenery and open spaces to ensure a healthy environment.

He said the government's initiative to plant 250 million saplings across the country over the next five years is not merely a programme but a national movement aimed at protecting the environment.

"The KDA is proud to be a partner in this campaign. More than 1 lakh saplings will be planted and distributed across areas under the KDA, including educational institutions, roadsides, residential neighbourhoods and religious establishments," he said.

Mona made the remarks while inaugurating a tree plantation programme organised by Amra Khulnabashi at Khulna Zila School on Monday morning.

Highlighting the environmental importance of afforestation, he said there is no alternative to planting more trees to protect Khulna, located adjacent to the Sundarbans, from the adverse impacts of climate change and rising global temperatures.

He also stressed that planting saplings alone is not enough and urged all concerned to ensure proper care and maintenance of every tree.

The KDA chairman underscored the need to plant fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal trees to help maintain ecological balance while meeting nutritional and economic needs.

He further said the KDA is committed to implementing its development and environmental initiatives through consultation with journalists, environmentalists, political leaders and people from all walks of life.

The programme was chaired by Khulna Zila School Headmaster Mohammad Farukul Islam and attended by teachers, including Md. Shahin Alam, Md. Mahfuz Zaman, Shekhar Ranjan Mondal and Shahnaz Parvin, along with leaders of Amra Khulnabashi, including its President Nasir Uddin, General Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Khokon and other local dignitaries.