Project oxygen 4.0 empowering the coast with tree plantation and climate awareness

The successful execution of 'Project Oxygen 4.0' by Give Bangladesh Foundation (GBF) in Dumuria, Khulna, under the motto 'Shokto Kori Bangladesh ', has brought a sense of pride and accomplishment.

This initiative, aimed at restoring and rejuvenating the coastal greenery, has resulted in the planting of 50,000 trees, a significant step towards our environmental goals.

The plantation part of the project was implemented in three phases- collecting seeds from the Sundarbans, growing saplings, and finally planting them in designated areas of Dumuria. Emphasising tree planting and climate awareness, the initiative included a "Climate Graduation Program" to educate the youth community on the necessity of afforestation in climate-vulnerable regions. For the next three months, efforts will be made to create long-term awareness among the 600+ local youth of four institutions through regular workshops, assessments and field visits. Workshops were conducted to develop "Climate Champions" through evaluations and knowledge sharing. Local religious leaders were actively engaged in playing a leading role in creating a climate-conscious community.

Suitable tree species were selected to enhance coastal resilience for maximum oxygen production and carbon absorption. Species like Gewa, Sundari, Golpata, Keora, Goran, Kakara, Pashur, Arjun, Neem, Bahera, Arjun and Haritaki were planted on 14.63 hectares along river banks and roadsides. Key partners included the Water Development Board (BWDB), which donated 17km of land, and a group of Khulna University students conducting impact assessments. KK Foundation and Optrium contributed financially, and Sonamukh Paribar was the implementation partner. Volunteers of Give Bangladesh Foundation ran a social media-based public crowdfunding initiative as "1 tree for 15 taka" through voluntary participation.

The Climate Graduation Program united local youth, with collaboration from several educational institutions, including Baniakhali High School (200 students), GKSK Ideal High School (150), Super Senpara Baharul Ulum Dakhil Madrasa (150), and Sharafpur Darul Quran Madrasa (150). The programme engages these 600 students across 60 teams, providing certificates and adding them to the institutional framework along with regular supervision and monitoring of trees to encourage climate awareness.

The primary objective of Project Oxygen is to empower marginalised communities by raising awareness about environmental protection and strengthening the coastline against future natural disasters through planned afforestation. The project aims to foster a culture of tree planting and maintenance within the local community, with residents handed over the responsibility for tree care. About 7,000 people from eight villages will directly benefit from this initiative.

Project Oxygen was first launched as part of emergency response in 2020, planting 49,000 trees in 49 minutes in Khulna's Koyra to combat natural disasters. In 2021, Project Oxygen 2.0 planted 1600 saplings in Dumuria, followed by 3000 saplings in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, under Project Oxygen 3.0 in 2023.

The Give Bangladesh Foundation was established in 2018 to provide opportunities for individuals and organisations to participate in national development through charity and volunteerism.

In addition to emergency responses, GBF operates five curated development projects: Project Ombu addresses access to safe drinking water; Project Folon focuses on ensuring capital security and agricultural training for farmers; Project Pothchola supports the mainstreaming of children of sex workers; Project Konna promotes menstrual health awareness among women and girls; and Project Lorai works towards the economic empowerment of marginalised women.

GBF encourages everyone to initiate positive societal changes by addressing development challenges and welcoming any effort toward transformation.