Bangladesh
Bonayon 'Bonayon' wins SDG Award in Climate and Environment category
Dhaka, May 29: 'Bonayon' bagged the prestigious SDG Brand Champion Award in the Climate and Environment category at the SDG Brand Champion Awards 2023 for making a positive impact by undertaking tree planting initiatives across the country. The largest private sector plantation programme in the country is being conducted through forestry.
The award ceremony held recently at Radisson Blu Dhaka Hotel's Water Garden recognized a total of 24 initiatives in various categories with 11 winners and 13 honorable mentions. Gholam Moin Uddin accepted the award on behalf of Bonayon in the event. Jorge Luis Masedo, Ahmed Raihan Ahsan Ullah and Sajjad Hossain were also present with him as Bonayon representatives.
The Bonayon (forestry) project started in 1980 in response to the call of the Forest Department of the Government of Bangladesh to plant trees on a large scale. The project has played an important role since its inception in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) of the government. The Bonayon project is helping the government achieve SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (terrestrial life) targets by increasing the amount of total tree-covered land in Bangladesh to 25 percent by 2030.
Five million fruit, forest and medicinal tree seedlings are distributed through the forestry scheme every year. Activities under this initiative are being conducted in 22 districts of the country and so far 12 crore seedlings of more than 45 different species have been distributed free of cost. Bonayon has created several impact zones across the country through fruitful public-private partnerships over the years.
Some of the notable afforestation projects include greening of Shah Amanat International Airport, Kushtia Bypass Road, Yamuna Bridge and several other notable places. The Bonayon project has so far received the prestigious Prime Minister's National Award five times and the Chief Advisor's Award once. In addition, the initiative has also received international recognition, including the 'Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award' and the 'Bangladesh Innovation Award 2021' from Enterprise Asia for Green Leadership.
