PM inaugurates Environment Fair, National Tree Plantation Campaign

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Environment Fair 2026, the National Tree Plantation Campaign and the National Tree Fair 2026, reaffirming the government's commitment to environmental protection, expanding forest cover and promoting public participation in climate action.

The programmes were launched at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka at around 11:30am under the slogan, "Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation; Bangladesh First."

The ceremony began with recitations from the Holy Quran and other holy scriptures.

During the event, 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 profit-sharing cheques among the top beneficiaries of the Social Forestry Programme.

The National Environment Award 2025 recognised individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation. The awards were presented in six categories—three for individuals and three for institutions. Each recipient received a crest, a certificate, Tk50,000 in cash and an additional prize equivalent to the market value of two tolas of 22-carat gold.

A documentary highlighting the government's achievements and ongoing initiatives in environment, forestry and climate change was screened during the programme.

After the formal inauguration, the Prime Minister planted olive, jarul and neem saplings on the conference centre premises before visiting the National Tree Fair at the former Dhaka International Trade Fair grounds.

The month-long fair is intended to encourage greater public participation in tree planting, environmental conservation and climate change mitigation. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam and the Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saimum Parvez also spoke at the event.

Alongside the month-long fairs in Dhaka, similar programmes are being held for 15 days in all divisional headquarters, seven days in 56 district headquarters and three days in 29 upazilas. The Dhaka fair features 120 exhibition stalls.

As part of its election manifesto, the government has adopted a five-year master plan to plant 250 million trees nationwide while ensuring their proper care and maintenance.

The nationwide plantation campaign was formally launched by the Prime Minister on June 13 at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar. According to official figures, the Forest Department has already planted more than 8.33 million saplings, achieving nearly 17 percent of this year's target.