Eastern Bank honours ‘Brikkhoshokha’ Shakhawat for environmental efforts

Eastern Bank PLC has honoured environmental activist Shakhawat Ullah, popularly known as Brikkhoshokha, in recognition of his contributions to nationwide tree plantation and environmental conservation.

Eastern Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer, Ali Reza Iftekhar, presented the honour at a ceremony held at the bank’s corporate headquarters in Gulshan on Thursday.

The recognition was given under the bank’s initiative titled ‘EBL Mission Bangladesh Returns 2025’, through which four individuals were honoured this year for their contributions to society and the environment, says a press release.

Over the past eight years, Shakhawat Ullah has planted more than 180,000 trees in 35 districts across Bangladesh. A network of over 400 young volunteers nationwide supports him in the initiative.

In addition to planting trees, he has also been working to protect endangered tree species, conserve rare plants, and raise awareness about river and bird conservation.

Shakhawat Ullah said he formally launched the initiative in 2018 with the planting of 100 Krishnachura trees, which later expanded into a nationwide programme.

Following an accident in 2020 while collecting tree saplings, he decided to intensify his environmental efforts. To further these initiatives, he established the Chandrakali Foundation.

Shakhawat Ullah, who works at the public relations firm Berlo Communications Ltd, said the foundation aims to plant one million more trees across the country by 2030.