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bKash has introduced a new green feature, ‘bKash Forest’, enabling customers to contribute to environmental protection through their everyday digital transactions.
Under the initiative, users can nurture virtual trees through transactions on the bKash app, with each mature virtual tree matched by bKash with a real tree planted as part of the programme.
The initiative was inaugurated on Wednesday through a tree plantation programme at Chattogram Cantonment, where 25,000 trees will be planted in the 24 Infantry Division area. Mission Green Bangladesh, an organisation working on environmental conservation and climate resilience, will maintain the trees from plantation through to maturity.
Major General Ferdous Hasan Selim, BSP, SUP (Bar), AWC, PSC, GOC, 24 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Chattogram Cantonment, inaugurated the bKash Forest tree plantation programme and unveiled a plaque.
Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (retd), Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash, and senior officials were also present.
bKash said the initiative marks the first mobile financial app-based programme of its kind in Bangladesh aimed at encouraging users to take part directly in ecological protection.
Users earn points, called ‘green points’, when they take low-carbon actions through the bKash app, including paying utility bills, opening DPS accounts, adding money, availing loans, recharging mobile phones and sending money.
As users accumulate green points, a virtual sapling in their bKash Forest gradually grows into a tree. Once the required number of points is earned and the virtual tree reaches maturity, bKash plants a corresponding tree in the real world.
Users can then view updates about their planted tree through the app, allowing them to track its progress.
bKash said the initiative builds on its efforts over the past 15 years to promote a greener financial sector. Its digital financial ecosystem reduces the need for physical travel, paperwork and queues, thereby helping lower the carbon footprint associated with conventional financial services.
The company said its move towards a paperless economy, including digital receipts, paperless loans, contactless payments and more than 200 digital services, is also aligned with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Through bKash Forest, the company aims to encourage people to turn their everyday digital transactions into direct action for environmental protection.