Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called upon citizens to integrate tree planting and environmental preservation into their daily civic routines, emphasizing that his administration is firmly committed to forging a clean, green, and climate-resilient Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the World Environment Day programme, the Environment Fair 2026, and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, the Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of collective action.

“Tree plantation and environmental conservation should become a part of our everyday lives. If we can make these practices habitual, we will build a healthier and greener society,” the Prime Minister said.

He urged the people of Bangladesh to take charge of transforming the nation's landscape, noting that human well-being and security are completely dependent on protecting and nurturing natural ecosystems.

“We all understand that greening our country is essential for the survival and well-being of future generations. Let us celebrate the birth of every child by planting a tree. May every newborn grow alongside a tree, allowing a nationwide social movement for afforestation to flourish,” he stated.

To support this grassroots social momentum, the Prime Minister noted that the government has rolled out several institutional programs.

These include introducing Green Volunteerism across educational platforms, establishing the Climate Youth Fellowship, and initiating an Environment Start-up Fund.

He maintained that the execution of these specialized frameworks is essential to anchoring a secure, healthy, and sustainable environment for current and future generations.

The Prime Minister announced that the government has launched a targeted campaign to plant 25 crore tree saplings over the next five years. However, he cautioned against unscientific methods.

“Planting trees indiscriminately is not enough. Scientific assessment is necessary to determine which species are suitable for specific soils, climates, and ecosystems. Species such as eucalyptus and acacia grow rapidly, but further research is needed to determine whether they are truly beneficial for our environment,” he said.

He emphasized that national efforts should prioritize indigenous species, specifically focusing on medicinal plants, orchids, bamboo, forest trees, fruit-bearing varieties, commercially viable timber, and endangered native flora.

He noted that afforestation must serve a broader purpose than simply growing trees; it must also secure safe natural habitats and supply adequate food for birds, insects, and wildlife.

Environmentalists and forestry experts, he stated, hold a crucial responsibility in guiding afforestation to strengthen ecological structures, aligning with the state's objective to maintain a harmonious balance where plants, animals, soil, water and air coexist.

“Planting new trees is essential, but ensuring that those trees survive and thrive is even more important. Equally important is protecting mature trees that have long been part of our ecosystems rather than cutting them down,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He reiterated that the government maintains a strict stance against illegal deforestation, hill cutting, mangrove destruction, and wildlife poaching.

“For our own future, we must value our soil, rivers, forests, biodiversity, and natural resources. If we fail to protect our rivers, we cannot ensure agricultural productivity, food or water security,” he warned.

The Prime Minister asserted that economic progression and environmental defense should not be treated as adversarial objectives, but rather as synchronized efforts. To open new avenues of economic growth, the government is promoting urban forestry, rooftop gardening, GIS-based systematic tree planting, canal-side and riverside greening, and eco-tourism.

“Climate change is no longer a future concern—it is our daily reality. Cyclones, floods, droughts, heatwaves, river erosion, and salinity intrusion are threatening agriculture, public health, the economy, and people's lives,” he said.

In light of these vulnerabilities, the administration views environmental policy not as an isolated administrative sector but as a foundational pillar of national advancement.

“Our vision is to establish a green, clean, climate-resilient, and sustainable Bangladesh where economic growth and environmental conservation advance together,” the Prime Minister noted.

As part of this comprehensive strategy, the government has commenced a massive program to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals nationwide. This project aims to secure year-round irrigation infrastructure for farmers while simultaneously reinforcing the country’s defense against climate-driven vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister noted that ecological recovery requires total reform of waste management systems spanning municipal hubs, ports, cities, and suburban regions.

The government has initiated steps to curb plastic pollution and is actively advancing compost production, recycling programs, waste-to-energy infrastructure and the nationwide adoption of the 3Rs principle: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

He stressed that municipal agencies and law enforcement alone cannot fix waste systems, calling instead for responsible public behavior and urging everyone to dispose of refuse only in designated locations.

“We have discussed tree planting and environmental conservation as foundations of healthy human life. However, we must also recognize that population growth, climate change, unplanned urbanization, encroachment on rivers and wetlands, and deforestation have placed biodiversity under severe threat. These pressures are endangering the habitats of wildlife and aquatic plants and animals alike,” he observed.

“Therefore, unless we protect ecosystems and ensure the safety of wildlife, domestic animals, birds, and all living creatures, no amount of human-centred development will make our society truly secure. Do not be cruel to wildlife. Do not mistreat dogs or cats. Protecting every form of life is essential for protecting humanity itself, and this responsibility belongs not only to the government but also to every citizen,” he declared, concluding with the hope: “May the country be a safe habitat for all animals and living beings.”

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Prime Minister offered his congratulations to the individuals and organizations honored with the National Tree Plantation Award, the National Wildlife Conservation Award, and those receiving dividends under the Social Forestry Programme.

Organized under the theme "Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh Comes First," the inaugural event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran alongside readings from other major religious scriptures.

A documentary showcasing the current government's milestones in forestry management, climate adaptation, and environmental protection was also presented.

During the event, the Prime Minister handed out the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Award 2025, alongside distributing dividend cheques to social forestry beneficiaries.

The ceremony was chaired by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo.

The Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Affairs, Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, and the State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shaikh Faridul Islam, attended and spoke as special guests.

Following the formal proceedings, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman planted olive, jarul, and neem saplings on the grounds of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

He subsequently toured various pavilions at the Tree Fair set up at the old Trade Fair Ground, which was curated to catalyze public involvement in forest expansion and climate resilience.

Alongside the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in Dhaka featuring 120 active stalls, synchronized 15-day tree fairs are being held in seven divisional cities, seven-day fairs in 56 district headquarters, and three-day fairs across 29 upazilas.

Earlier on June 13, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the five-year, 25-crore tree-planting mega-campaign by planting a Garjan tree sapling in the Malumghat Reserved Forest in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar.