Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday conferred the National Environment Award 2025 upon three distinguished individuals and three institutions in recognition of their exceptional contributions to environmental conservation, public awareness and education, as well as scientific research and technological innovation.

The awards were presented during the grand inaugural ceremony of the national program marking World Environment Day 2026, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.

In the individual category, Md Hasmat Ali, Assistant Professor at Alhaj Farhad Ali Memorial Degree College, received the accolade in the Environmental Conservation and Pollution Control category while Md Monir Hossain was honored in the Environmental Education and Awareness category.

Furthermore, Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Dhaka University, was recognized in the Environmental Research and Technological Innovation category.

Meanwhile, the institutional honors saw Classical Handmade Products BD Limited awarded for Environmental Conservation and Pollution Control.

The Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at Chattogram University accepted the award for Environmental Education and Awareness, and the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute secured the prize for Environmental Research and Technological Innovation.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of World Environment Day and the National Tree Plantation Fair, the Prime Minister drew attention to alarming urban conditions in the capital.

“According to media reports, Dhaka is now ranked the third most uninhabitable city in the world. This is not good news at all. It is essential to change this situation. Therefore, raising public awareness has now become one of our major responsibilities,” the Prime Minister said.

The inaugural event was chaired by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo. Additional addresses were delivered by State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr Md Saimum Parvez, and the Acting Secretary of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, Dr Fahmida Khanom.