Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for concerted efforts to make Bangladesh a safe habitat for all living beings, saying protecting wildlife and preserving the environment should be a shared responsibility of both the government and people.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the World Environment Day programme, Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026, he also urged people across the country to turn tree plantation and environmental protection into a nationwide social movement, saying

Bangladesh can build a greener and healthier future only through united efforts.

"I would like to share with you what I believe: Bangladesh should become a safe habitat for all animals and all forms of life," Tarique Rahman said.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre under the theme, "Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation; Bangladesh First."

The Prime Minister said biodiversity is under growing threat due to population growth, climate change, unplanned urbanisation, the filling of rivers and wetlands, deforestation and other human activities.

He said the habitats of wildlife as well as aquatic plants and animals are also under threat because of these factors.

Tarique Rahman said protecting ecosystems is essential to ensuring the safety of wildlife, domestic animals and birds, warning that no matter how many initiatives are taken, it will not be possible to ensure a safe environment for people without safeguarding all forms of life.

"Do not be cruel to wild animals. Do not treat dogs and cats inhumanely. For the safety of human beings, protecting every animal and every form of life requires not only the government's efforts but also active participation from citizens," he said.

Beginning his speech with a verse from the Holy Quran, the Prime Minister said Allah has created everything on earth for the benefit of humanity.

He said rivers, trees, insects, wildlife, domestic animals and the entire natural environment are all beneficial to humanity, and stressed that people also have a responsibility to protect and care for all of Allah's creations.

Referring to scientific evidence, Tarique Rahman said the relationship between human society and the ecosystem is inseparable and protecting ecosystems is closely linked to the well-being of people.

He urged everyone to play their part in protecting birds, animals and insects, saying every species has a role in maintaining nature's balance.

The Prime Minister said the Environment Fair and Tree Fair are an investment in ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for both present and future generations.

He also called for a united national effort to protect the environment and tackle climate change, saying environmental conservation is no longer an option but a necessity for ensuring a safe and sustainable future for Bangladesh.

Tarique Rahman said the government has adopted a long-term plan to increase forest coverage and restore ecological balance through large-scale tree plantation and proper care of saplings across the country.

He urged people from all walks of life to take part in the campaign, saying tree plantation should become a social movement involving individuals, educational institutions, businesses and local communities.

The Prime Minister said protecting forests, biodiversity and wildlife is essential to addressing the growing impacts of climate change, including floods, cyclones, salinity and rising temperatures.

He urged the country’s people to make caring for nature a part of their daily lives.

Recalling his time in London, Tarque Rahman shared how a neighbour had planted a rose tree for each of his three children when they were born.

Inspired by that experience, he urged every family in Bangladesh to plant at least one tree whenever a child is born. "If we plant a tree to celebrate the birth of every child, both the child and the tree will grow together. In this way, tree plantation can become a successful social movement," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government has already launched several initiatives, including Green Volunteer programmes in educational institutions, the Climate Youth Fellowship and an Environment Startup Fund to encourage greater public participation in environmental protection.

He said the government remains committed to its election pledge of planting 25 crore trees within five years, but stressed that the campaign must focus on suitable native species rather than simply planting large numbers of trees, calling for planting medicinal, fruit-bearing, bamboo, timber and endangered native species while avoiding plants that could harm the local environment.

The Prime Minister said afforestation should not only increase greenery but also help create habitats for birds, wildlife and insects that are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

He stressed that protecting existing mature trees is just as important as planting new ones and urged the Forest Department to ensure their preservation.

Tarique Rahman also reiterated the government's commitment to protecting forests, preventing hill cutting, conserving mangroves and stopping wildlife destruction.

Warning about the growing impact of climate change, he said Bangladesh is already experiencing rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, floods, cyclones, droughts, river erosion and salinity intrusion.

"In this reality, the government considers the environment not as a separate sector but as one of the foundations of national development," the Prime Minister said.

He said protecting rivers is equally important, warning that agriculture, food security and water security will all be at risk if rivers continued to be polluted and degraded.

Tarique Rahman said the government's programme to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals will not only improve irrigation but also help the country adapt to climate change.

He also stressed the need for a major improvement in waste management across cities and towns, saying tree plantation alone will not be enough to protect the environment.

The Prime Minister said the government is working to reduce plastic waste, promote recycling, produce organic fertiliser and convert waste into energy under the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" policy.

However, he said proper waste management will only succeed if citizens change their behaviour. "I appeal to every citizen – please do not throw waste wherever you like. Let us encourage our friends, relatives and neighbours to do the same," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government remains committed to implementing environment-friendly policies and expanding green initiatives as part of its election manifesto.

He stressed that economic development and environmental protection must go hand in hand, adding that sustainable development is impossible without preserving natural resources.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the need to encourage younger generations to become more aware of environmental conservation and climate action.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo chaired the programme.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Md Saimum Parvez and acting Secretary Fahmida Khanom also spoke at the programme.

The programme began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by readings from other holy scriptures. A documentary highlighting the government's achievements in environment, forestry and climate change was also screened.

During the function, the Prime Minister presented the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Award 2025. He also distributed dividend cheques among beneficiaries of the social forestry programme.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister planted tree saplings on the conference centre premises before visiting different stalls at the National Tree Fair.