StanChart plants 2,500 saplings at Lalmai-Mainamati

Standard Chartered Bangladesh planted 2,500 saplings at Lalmai-Mainamati archaeological area of Cumilla recently in partnership with Tarupallab to preserve the heritage site and surrounding areas for future generations. 

Some fifty archaeological sites have been identified on an area of elevated land 18 kilometres long and 4,5 kilometres wide, representing a major religious and political centre without parallel in the sub-continent, says Unesco.

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It appears to have been the religious centre from which Buddhism was spread to Southeast Asia, it adds.

Over 200 Standard Chartered employees volunteered to conduct the tree plantation initiative, said a press release.

"…every single one of Standard Chartered Bangladesh's more than 2,000 colleagues is being represented by at least one sapling at the heritage site," said Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief executive officer of the bank.

"We hope to raise awareness among local communities, businesses, and government authorities of the need to preserve our nation's diverse cultural and historical legacy," he said.

"With Bangladesh standing on the frontlines of the fight against climate change, efforts such as these are an essential component of accelerating zero," he added.

Standard Chartered has a long-term plan of tree plantation in line with growing demand to reduce climate risk and accelerate net zero through innovation, sustainable financing, and community engagement.

The British multinational bank carried out several tree plantation campaigns over the years. In partnership with Tarupallab, the bank planted 1,600 saplings in 2021 and 2,000 saplings in 2022.