Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for a nationwide movement to build a “Green Bangladesh,” urging citizens to make tree plantation and environmental conservation a part of everyday life to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the World Environment Day programme, Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, the prime minister said creating a green and environmentally sustainable Bangladesh requires the active participation of people from all walks of life.
“I believe Bangladesh should become a safe habitat for all living beings. The Environment Fair and Tree Fair should not remain limited to annual ceremonies. Tree plantation and environmental conservation must become part of our daily practice,” he said.
The programme, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was held under the theme, “Let’s Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh First.”
During the event, Tarique distributed the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, the National Tree Plantation Award 2025 and profit-sharing cheques among the best beneficiaries of the Social Forestry Programme.
Tree plantation as a social movement
Highlighting the importance of expanding green spaces, Tarique Rahman urged every family to plant a tree to celebrate the birth of a child, saying such a practice could gradually evolve into a nationwide social movement for afforestation.
Recalling an experience from his stay in London, he said a neighbour had planted a tree for each of his three children, and those trees had grown into large flowering plants over the years.
The experience inspired him to encourage Bangladeshis to adopt a similar tradition.
He said the government has already launched several initiatives to promote environmental conservation, including Green Volunteer programmes in educational institutions, Climate Youth Fellowship and an Environment Startup Fund.
Around 90,000 trees have recently been planted in schools under a nationwide campaign, he added.
Long-term environmental strategy
The prime minister said the government’s election manifesto includes a commitment to plant 25 crore trees over five years. However, he stressed that the success of the programme depends on planting suitable species based on local soil, climate and ecological conditions rather than indiscriminate plantation.
He called for greater emphasis on indigenous, medicinal, fruit-bearing, bamboo and endangered tree species while discouraging the planting of environmentally harmful varieties.
“Tree plantation alone is not enough. We must ensure that newly planted saplings are properly cared for and survive. Afforestation should also create safe habitats and food sources for birds, wildlife and insects,” he said.
Tarique Rahman also underscored the importance of protecting mature native trees, describing them as an integral part of local ecosystems. He said preserving forests, preventing hill cutting, protecting mangroves and curbing wildlife destruction remain government priorities.
Protect rivers, biodiversity and wildlife
The prime minister warned that biodiversity is under increasing threat from rapid population growth, climate change, unplanned urbanisation, encroachment on rivers and wetlands, and deforestation.
He said shrinking natural habitats are forcing wildlife, including snakes and other species, into human settlements. Stressing the need for coexistence with nature, he urged people not to kill harmless animals, birds, spiders or insects unnecessarily.
“Every species plays a role in maintaining ecological balance. Protecting biodiversity is essential for protecting humanity,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the country’s rivers, canals and wetlands, saying pollution and indiscriminate dumping of waste have severely damaged these water bodies.
Without healthy rivers, he warned, Bangladesh’s agriculture, food security and water security would be at risk.
Waste management and climate resilience
The prime minister said the government has undertaken a programme to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals to improve irrigation, strengthen climate resilience and restore ecological balance.
He also stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in waste management, particularly in cities and urban centres. The government, he said, is working to reduce plastic pollution, promote organic fertiliser, expand recycling and implement the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R)” policy nationwide.
Calling for greater public awareness, Tarique Rahman urged citizens not to litter public places and said environmental protection cannot be ensured by government agencies alone.
He reiterated that economic development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand, expressing hope that Bangladesh would emerge as a clean, green and climate-resilient nation through joint efforts by the government and the people.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo chaired the programme, while State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Saimum Parvez and Acting Secretary Fahmida Khanam, among others, also addressed the event.
After the ceremony, the prime minister planted two saplings and inaugurated the Tree Fair-2026 before visiting its stalls.
