Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Environment Fair 2026, the National Tree Plantation Campaign and the National Tree Fair 2026, calling for greater public participation in environmental protection, afforestation and climate action.
The Prime Minister opened the programmes at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital around 11:30am under the theme, “Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation; Bangladesh First.”
The programme began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by readings from other holy scriptures.
During the event, the Prime Minister distributed the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, the National Tree Plantation Award 2025, and profit-sharing cheques among outstanding beneficiaries of the Social Forestry Programme.
The National Environment Award was given to selected individuals and organisations for their significant contributions to environmental conservation. The award was presented in six categories, including three for individuals and three for institutions.
Each recipient received a cash prize equivalent to the market value of two tolas of 22-carat gold, along with a Tk 50,000 cheque, a crest and a certificate.
A documentary showcasing government initiatives and achievements in environment, forestry and climate change was also screened at the event.
Later, the Prime Minister planted olive, jarul and neem saplings on the premises of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre and visited stalls at the National Tree Fair at the former Dhaka International Trade Fair ground.
The fairs have been organised to encourage public involvement in environmental conservation, forest expansion and efforts to address the impacts of climate change.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam and Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saimum Parvez, among others, addressed the programme.
Alongside the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in Dhaka, similar tree fairs are being organised at divisional, district and upazila levels across the country.
The government has adopted a five-year master plan to plant 25 crore trees nationwide and ensure their proper maintenance as part of implementing its election manifesto.
The Prime Minister launched the nationwide tree plantation programme on June 13 at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar to strengthen environmental protection and combat climate change impacts.
So far, the Forest Department has planted 8.332 million saplings, achieving nearly 17 percent of this year's target.
