Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), in collaboration with Shakti Foundation and MetLife Foundation, has initiated the Muktir Shobujayon (Greening for Liberation) Project with the aim of transforming the abandoned land opposite the Jallad Khana Memorial into a modern, green and child-friendly public space.
The Jallad Khana Killing Field in Mirpur-10, Dhaka is intertwined with the history of the Bangladesh’s Liberation War. A total of 1,000 trees have been planted in the area thus far. In addition, Jollad Khana Garbage Secondary Transfer Station (STS), a malodorous and unsightly dumping ground, has been given a fresh makeover by renowned Cartoonist Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy and his team at Tanmoy Cartoons. The project is co-funded by Shakti Foundation, and MetLife Foundation.
The Muktir Shobujayon Project was formally inaugurated on the Independence Day, 26th March, 2023 by Chief Guest, the Honorable Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mr. Atiqul Islam. Member of Parliament Mr. Alhaj Ilyas Uddin Mollah; Councilor Kazi Zahirul Islam Manik; Special Assistant to the Honorable Prime Minister Barrister Biplab Barua; Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Bangladesh Mr. Ala Ahmad and Deputy Executive Director of Shakti Foundation Mr. Imran Ahmed were also present on the occasion.
MetLife Bangladesh’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ala Ahmad, commented, “MetLife has a long history in Bangladesh and through MetLife Foundation’s contribution, we are honored to support the new initiative that aims towards building a greener and healthier community.”
Deputy Executive Director of Shakti Foundation Mr. Imran Ahmed commented, “Shakti Foundation, in its continuous effort to build a climate resilient nation through effective community-based adaptation strategies, is reimagining and rebuilding abandoned areas into green public spaces through this initiative. The objective of this is to contribute to improving the air quality of Dhaka, a pressing problem faced by our urban areas, while providing a child-friendly community space.”
From April 2023 onwards, Shakti Foundation and MetLife Foundation will commence further greening interventions at the adjoining 60-feet road and its adjacent areas under this project.
