By: RO Maung Shwe
Ajas Khan is a Rohingya youth, student, and activist dedicated to restoring hope, dignity, and sustainability in the world’s largest Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. As the founder of the Rohingya Green Nature Society (RGNS) and the Assistant Secretary of the Ukhia Response Council under the Centre for Environment, Human Rights & Development Forum (CEHRDF), he has committed his life to addressing environmental challenges in the refugee camps and empowering the community to rebuild what was lost during the 2017 Rohingya influx.
“My journey into climate activism began in 2022, a pivotal year that transformed my perspective on environmental restoration. The loss of greenery in the refugee camps was not just an ecological tragedy but a deeply personal one. Witnessing the barren lands and fragile ecosystems left behind by displacement, I realized this crisis was a call to action—a chance to rebuild, heal, and inspire change.”
In 2022, Ajas became the Assistant Secretary of the Ukhia Response Council under CEHRDF, which provided him with a platform to advocate for policies integrating environmental restoration with community development. Through CEHRDF, he collaborated on initiatives focused on sustainable living, leadership training, and environmental awareness, addressing both the ecological and social challenges of the camps.
In 2023, he took a bold step forward by founding the Rohingya Green Nature Society (RGNS) with a group of like-minded friends. RGNS began as a grassroots initiative with a simple yet transformative vision: to restore the greenery that once defined their homeland and create a sustainable future for the Rohingya community.
Their first project was a reforestation initiative, planting trees to replace those lost to deforestation. This small step marked the beginning of a much larger movement. By the end of the year, RGNS had expanded its focus to include climate education, plastic pollution awareness, and biodiversity conservation.
Through workshops, training sessions, and campaigns, they empowered the youth in the camp to become climate leaders. Their plastic pollution campaigns highlighted waste management challenges, while their biodiversity workshops fostered a sense of responsibility and ownership among the community.
In 2024, RGNS was recognized with the Sustainable Impact Award for Refugee Communities and honored with the Sustainable Brand of the Year Award 2024. These accolades were a testament to the dedication and resilience of their team, as well as the power of community-led initiatives to create meaningful change.
With this recognition, RGNS expanded its reach, forming new partnerships and launching more ambitious projects. They continued their mission to restore greenery in the camps while addressing broader challenges such as climate resilience, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.
“The journey has not been without challenges. Limited resources, lack of awareness, and the daily struggles of life in the refugee camps often made progress difficult. Yet, every obstacle strengthened my resolve. Each tree we planted, every campaign we launched, and every youth we empowered was a step toward a greener, more sustainable future.”
Looking back, 2022 laid the foundation, while 2023 marked the birth of RGNS. By 2024, their efforts culminated in the Sustainable Brand of the Year Award, proving that even in the face of adversity, meaningful change is possible.
Today, as Ajas continues his work with RGNS and CEHRDF, he remains steadfast in their mission to restore the greenery of the Rohingya refugee camps. Their goal is not just to plant trees but to cultivate a movement that empowers the Rohingya people to become stewards of their environment.
“Together, we aim to rebuild what was lost, create a sustainable future, and inspire the world with our resilience and determination. This is my journey—a story of hope, action, and the unyielding belief that even in the face of adversity, we can rise together to create a better tomorrow.”
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