The year-long study will assess the impact of trees in informal settlements using satellite imagery and digital sensors across five sites in Dhaka Nort
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator Mohammad Ejaz emphasized the need to monitor urban temperature levels in Dhaka with the same seriousness as air pollution.
The statement came during the inauguration of a joint research initiative titled “Baseline Study on the Role of Vegetation in Reducing Temperature and Air Pollution: A Study in Informal Settlements of Dhaka North City Corporation,” at DNCC headquarters in Dhaka on Monday.
The study is a collaborative effort between DNCC, the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Community Town Federation (CTF) and World Vision Bangladesh.
“In our minds, cities mean more buildings and fewer trees, while villages mean the opposite,” said Mr. Ejaz. “But this imbalance is something we have created. We must now take responsibility to redesign our cities, starting with planting more trees in a planned way to reduce temperature and pollution.”
He further highlighted that, just like air pollution, temperature data should be regularly collected to better understand and address Dhaka’s rising heat levels.
CAPS Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, present as a keynote explained that trees not only provide oxygen but also help control temperature and filter harmful gases. “Scientific studies help us understand where and what types of trees should be planted to combat pollution and heat effectively,” he added.
Stamford University Bangladesh lecturer Engr. Md. Nasir Ahmed Patwary presented the study’s concept note, outlining a year-long evaluation using satellite imagery and digital sensors across five locations in Dhaka North. He noted that active participation from youth and residents in informal settlements will enhance the study’s impact.
World Vision Bangladesh National Director Suresh Bartlett called the initiative timely and crucial. “The findings from this research will help guide policies to build a cleaner, safer environment for children and future generations,” he said.
DNCC CEO Abu Sayeed Md. Kamruzzaman expressed hope that the study would help identify tree species that can survive urban conditions and contribute to reducing pollution. “We need scientific guidance to know which trees we’ve lost and which we need to restore,” he said.
Also in attendance were Dhaka University Botany Professor Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, DNCC and CAPS officials, World Vision staff and community representatives from the CTF.
