Indiscriminate establishment of factories unacceptable: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said indiscriminate establishment of factories is unacceptable and environmental protection requires both strict enforcement of laws and greater public awareness.

He made the remarks during speaking at the inauguration of World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Thursday (July 9).

He said, environmental degradation caused by industrial activities is a shared responsibility and must be addressed through sustainable planning, stressing that Bangladesh is a civilised nation, yet industries are being set up indiscriminately. This is not desirable.

"Environmental protection cannot be ensured through laws alone; public awareness is equally essential," he added.

Reaffirming the government's election pledge, the prime minister announced that 250 million trees will be planted across the country over the next five years. He urged people to prioritise indigenous and medicinal tree species instead of environmentally harmful varieties such as eucalyptus.

He said tree plantation should become a lifelong social practice rather than a ceremonial activity, emphasising that protecting ecosystems is closely linked to ensuring the well-being of future generations.

Referring to an international report ranking Dhaka among the world's least liveable cities, the prime minister said the capital's environmental challenges underscore the need for responsible behaviour and stronger public participation in conservation efforts.

He also encouraged citizens to adopt symbolic initiatives such as planting a tree to mark the birth of a child or other significant family milestones.

Highlighting the government's environmental agenda, Tarique Rahman said initiatives such as Green Volunteerism, the Climate Youth Fellowship, rooftop gardening, urban forestry and eco-tourism would be expanded as part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable development and green economic growth.

He added that the government has also launched a national initiative to implement the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" policy to minimise waste and improve environmental management.

During the programme, the prime minister presented the National Environment Award 2025 to recipients in seven categories before planting saplings of olive, jarul and neem trees on the venue premises and visiting stalls at the National Tree Fair.

The government also announced the formation of a dedicated cell under the Prime Minister's Office to oversee the five-year tree plantation programme. Officials said the initiative would be monitored using GIS, remote sensing, a national tree database and drone technology, with a target of creating around 350,000 green jobs and supporting 10,000 new nursery entrepreneurs nationwide.