The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday honoured individuals and organisations for their contributions to environmental protection, tree plantation and wildlife conservation at a ceremony marking World Environment Day 2025 and the Environment and Tree Fair 2025.
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan handed over the National Environment Medal 2024, National Award for Tree Plantation 2024, Wildlife Conservation National Award, and cheques to top-earning social forestry beneficiaries at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
This year’s Wildlife Conservation National Award went to Md Fazle Rabbi (Natore), Sherpur Bird Conservation Society and Dr Md. Monowar Hossain, Professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University and University of Dhaka. Each recipient received a 22-carat gold medal, Tk 1 lakh and a certificate.
The National Environment Medal 2024 was awarded to Md. Mahmudul Islam, Mohammad Munir Chowdhury and Professor Dr M. Firoz Ahmed in the individual category. Institutional awardees included Snowtex Outerwear Ltd. (Dhamrai), Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur. Each recipient received a crest, certificate, a medal equivalent to two tola gold and Tk 50,000.
Seven recipients took top spots in the National Award for Tree Plantation 2024, including Dalgram Dimukhi High School (Lalmonirhat), the UNO Office of Manikchhari, Dilruba Rahman (Tangail), Sohel Nursery (Rangpur), DC Asma Shaheen (Natore), Chattogram North Forest Division and Bangladesh Forest Research Institute. Prizes included certificates, crests and cash awards of Tk 50,000 to Tk 1 lakh, depending on the category.
Additionally, ten social forestry beneficiaries were honoured, including Md. Shahaj Uddin, who received Tk 6,07,950; Ukil Murmu, Tk 5,57,325; and Monowara Begum, Tk 4,16,700.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan hoped the awards would inspire further public engagement in environmental and conservation efforts. The event was also attended by Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the ministry; Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment; and Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests.