The Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement (BTPM) yesterday launched a protest, demanding the restoration of Panthakunja Park, a 5.39-acre urban green space, and the adjacent Hatirjheel water-catchment area. They are both threatened by the construction of ramps for the Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE).

The citizen-led demonstration, which began at 10am at Panthakunja Park, spoke out against practices that isolate communities and harm local ecosystems, diverging from the principles of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Several artists took part in the protest today including Afsana Sharmin Jhumpa, Farah Naz Moon, Sumana Akter, Ritu Sattar, Walid Saddam Topu, Efat Razowana Reya, Tahmina Hafiz Liza, Mehedi Masud, and Syed Muhammad Zakir, among others. 

The open-to-all demonstration underscored the growing demand for environmentally conscious urban planning.

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