In a significant step toward strengthening environmental sustainability and climate resilience in one of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable coastal regions, Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL) has partnered with NouKollan Foundation Trading Company Ltd. (NKFTCL) to implement a large-scale afforestation and land restoration initiative on Bhasan Char Island, a press release said.
As part of EBL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, the Bank will invest BDT 7.4million in two integrated projects aimed at enhancing ecological stability and improving the quality of life for the island’s approximately 32,000 residents.
The initiative will support extensive tree plantation across nearly 16,500 acres of Bhasan Char, including 1702 acres protected by a flood-control embankment under the Ashrayan-3 Project. To ensure the long-term survival of the plantations, NKFTCL will carry out soil filling and grass-planting along the embankment, creating a protective buffer for young saplings and reinforcing the island’s natural defenses against climate-related threats.
Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL, formally handed over the project funding cheques to Commodore Mohammad Habib Ul Alam (H1), NUP, PCGM, psc, BN (retd), Managing Director of NKFTCL at a ceremony held at the bank’s head office in Dhaka.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Shaheen said,“This partnership reflects EBL’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience. By supporting sustainable afforestation in Bhasan Char, we are not only greening the coastline but also investing in the long-term future of its people.”
Commodore Mohammad Habib Ul Alam (retd), Managing Director of NKFTCL,said, “This CSR-supported initiative by Eastern Bank on Bhasan Char will significantly strengthen coastal protection and promote long-term environmental sustainability. NKFTCL will carry out Coconut Tree Plantation at Bhasan Char, Hatiya Upzilla of Noakhali district covering significant area at Bhasan Char.”
The event was attended by Commander Manjur Ahmed (S), BN, Director of Finance and Marketing, and H. Lt. S M Nurul Alam (X), BN (Retd), Project Officer from NKFTCL; Maj Md. Abdus Salam (retd), Head of Administration;Md. Abdullah Al Mamun FCS, Company Secretary; and Md. Maskur Reza FCA, Head of Business Information Systems from EBL among others.
