BRAC Bank awards Dwijen Sharma Padak for conservation efforts

FE Report

Three individuals and one institution have been awarded the Dwijen Sharma Poribesh Padak 2024 for their exceptional contributions to biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and ecological awareness in Bangladesh.

The award was introduced by BRAC Bank in collaboration with Tarupallab to honour the late Professor Dwijen Sharma, a renowned naturalist and botanist whose lifelong work inspired generations to protect nature.

The award distribution ceremony was held on Saturday at Bangla Academy, where Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended as chief guest. Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Nurun Nahar was present as special guest. Also in attendance were BRAC Bank Vice Chairperson Faruq Mayeenuddin Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO (Current Charge) Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, and Tarupallab Vice President Shahjahan Mridha Benu.

According to BRAC Bank, this year's awardees are Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, a life member of Bangla Academy and former faculty member of Notre Dame College; Md. Aminul Islam, an embroidery artist and gardener; Sabuj Chakma, an Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department; and Project Sonapahar, based in Mastannagar, Mirsarai.

Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan was recognised for more than four decades of work in biodiversity conservation and environmental education. He founded three major organisations, published environmental magazines, and guided thousands of students who are now leading conservation efforts across the country.

Md. Aminul Islam received the award for creating Gachh Bari, a 15-bigha arboretum that houses nearly 10,000 plants and 250 uniquely shaped trees, while also integrating horticulture with education and wildlife care.

Project Sonapahar was honoured for establishing Bangladesh's first private Miyawaki forest, designed to protect biodiversity and address the impacts of unplanned urbanisation.

RHD Executive Engineer Sabuj Chakma was awarded for his community-driven conservation initiatives in Rangamati, which include distributing over 87,500 bird-friendly saplings, planting thousands of trees along roadsides, and developing eco-tourism projects such as the RHD Lake View Garden.

Appreciating the contributions of the awardees, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan called for collective efforts to build a greener and more sustainable Bangladesh.

smunima@yahoo.com