A Correspondent

Rajshahi

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has adopted massive initiatives for covering the city with more green aimed at making it environment-friendly and habitable.

“We have transplanted numerous trees to protect the biodiversity along with protecting ecological balance,” said Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, administrator of RCC and Commissioner of Rajshahi division.

The city corporation has already planted various types of trees, including flowers, fruit, and medical plants at tourist spots, amusement parks, and the walkway, turning the city eye-catching and colorful, much to make the public in general and other onlookers happy.

Administrator Dr Humayun Kabir said around 29,000 trees were transplanted from June to November this year.

Colorful street lights also enhanced the beautification process to a greater extent as the RCC installed a large number of lights on islands of different streets and road crossings to meet the civic demands, he said.

RCC Chief Executive Officer Dr ABM Sharif Uddin said that they have special plans for beautifying islands of over 36-kilometre roads taking the issue of seasonal change into consideration.

“We have transplanted saplings of over one lakh flower plants and trees during the last two years,” he said.

Besides, 7,520 saplings of fruit and herbal trees were distributed among the citizens for plantation through 40 ward councillors to expedite and encourage the social forestry activities.

Meanwhile, butterfly-shaped street lights were attached to the poles on the newly elevated four-lane road from Bilsimla railway crossing to Kasiadanga crossing and another road from Biman crossing to Bihash crossing.

Besides, the road from Court to Fire Service crossing via C&B crossing and another road from Alupatty crossing to Bhadra crossing via Talaimary crossing were illuminated with modern and decorative lights.

Muhammad Asadullah, who came to Rajshahi city for a three-day visit from Kishoreganj this week, said he enjoyed the beautification.

“Rajshahi city is small, but neat and clean,” he said, adding, “The city transformed into a diversified shape after sunset, which is absent in any other cities in the country.”