Photo : Collected

DHAKA, June 13, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has 
announced that it will introduce annual awards for rooftop gardeners to 
encourage urban greenery and environmental sustainability in the capital.

"Rooftop gardening will be actively encouraged as part of the city's broader 
greening initiatives. To encourage those engaged in rooftop gardening in 
Dhaka, the top 10 rooftop gardeners will be awarded every year by the city 
corporation," DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said.

Delivering the chief guest's speech at the inauguration of the National Tree 
Plantation Programme-2026 in Gulistan today, the DSCC Administrator made this 
remark.

He said discussions would be held with the government on providing holding 
tax rebates for rooftop gardeners in the future.

Large-scale tree plantation and proper maintenance of planted trees are 
essential to save Dhaka, he said, adding, "There is no alternative to tree 
plantation in tackling the adverse impacts of climate change." 

Expressing concern over the declining groundwater level and rising 
temperature in Dhaka, he said, "Concrete expansion is preventing rainwater 
from seeping into the ground."
 
He urged citizens to leave portions of new buildings free of concrete and 
preserve grass.

Abdus Salam also informed that an initiative has been taken to establish a 
central nursery at Osmani Udyan, from where saplings will be distributed free 
of cost to citizens.

He cautioned that mobile courts will be conducted every Saturday in all 10 
DSCC regions to control illegal occupation, unlicensed businesses, and street 
vendors.

Under this tree plantation initiative, the DSCC plans to plant 300,000 trees 
in its area from 2026 to 2030. As part of the inauguration day's activities, 
500 trees were planted across 10 regions of the city corporation today.