PM honours six with National Environment Award as week long green fair opens

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the week long National Environment Fair in Dhaka, honoured three individuals and three institutions with the National Environment Award 2025, and called attention to innovative environmental initiatives led by young people and civil society organisations.

The fair opened at the grounds beside the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre as part of the national observance of World Environment Day 2026. Following the inauguration, the prime minister planted a tree at the venue before touring exhibition stalls set up by environmental organisations and nurseries displaying a wide variety of flowers, fruit bearing plants and medicinal trees.

During his visit, Tarique Rahman stopped at different stalls to learn about environmental initiatives and praised the efforts of young volunteers working to promote sustainable development and environmental protection.

The prime minister also visited the stall of the Climate Action and Justice Foundation (CAJF), where executive member Murshida Khanam briefed him on the organisation’s activities, including climate change adaptation, climate justice, environmental conservation, tree plantation campaigns, youth leadership development, plastic pollution reduction, community cleanliness drives, environmental education for children and support for the Sustainable Development Goals.

He listened with interest to the organisation’s plans for developing climate resilient model villages and its broader efforts to build a greener Bangladesh. Expressing satisfaction over the initiatives, the prime minister commended the role of young people in advancing environmental causes.

During the visit, children presented him with a painting on environmental conservation, which he accepted with appreciation and praised for its creativity.

CAJF founder and chairman Arifuzzaman Mamun said the prime minister’s visit and encouraging remarks would inspire the organisation to continue working on climate justice, environmental protection and greater youth engagement.

“The recognition from the head of government has increased our sense of responsibility. His encouragement will serve as a great source of inspiration for our members, volunteers and young activists,” he said.

While touring the fair, the prime minister also visited the stall of Mission Green Bangladesh, where he was impressed by an environmentally friendly paper pen developed by young innovators under the “Paper Pen Revolution” initiative.

According to the organisation’s Executive Director Ahsan Rony, the prime minister appreciated the innovation and immediately instructed the relevant authorities to explore replacing plastic pens used in government offices with paper based alternatives. He also praised the organisation’s “Bhangri Mama” initiative, which focuses on converting waste into valuable resources.

Earlier, while visiting one of the nurseries, Tarique Rahman admired its attractive arrangement of plants and flowers, telling the organisers, “You have decorated it beautifully.”

When he asked whether the display had been arranged only for the fair, the nursery representatives informed him that their main nursery in Ashulia, Savar, was maintained in the same way throughout the year. The prime minister thanked them for their efforts. Participants and volunteers at the fair said the prime minister’s personal visit had boosted their enthusiasm and encouraged greater public participation in environmental conservation.

During the inaugural ceremony, Tarique Rahman presented the National Environment Award 2025 to three individuals and three institutions in recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation, environmental education and awareness, and research and technological innovation.

In the individual category, Assistant Professor Md Hasmat Ali of Alhaj Farhad Ali Memorial Degree College received the award for environmental conservation and pollution control. Md Monir Hossain was honoured for environmental education and awareness, while Professor Dr Abdus Salam of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Dhaka, who also serves as the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Education), received the award for research and technological innovation.

Among institutions, Classical Handmade Products BD Limited received the award for environmental conservation and pollution control. The Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at the University of Chittagong was recognised for environmental education and awareness, while the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute received the award for research and technological innovation.