Dr. Md. Saifur Rahman

Conserving the environment, forests and biodiversity is no longer merely a sectoral programme; it is a national priority closely linked to sustainable development, public health, food security and climate resilience. With climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution of rivers and water bodies, and growing urbanisation placing increasing pressure on Bangladesh, the need for integrated environmental management has never been greater.

Against this backdrop, the government’s environment-friendly development vision has brought tree planting, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, a green economy and public participation under a long-term, science-based framework for building a climate-resilient Bangladesh.

As someone interested in environmental knowledge, research and policy, I believe the prime minister’s speech at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on July 9, 2026, at the inauguration of World Environment Day and the Environment Fair and National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 was more than a ceremonial address. It presented a comprehensive policy vision for protecting Bangladesh’s environment and forests, conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change.

The policy direction covers tree plantation and greening, nature and biodiversity conservation, pollution and waste management, climate resilience, sustainable development, environmental education, social mobilisation, good governance and institutional arrangements. It also recognises that protecting forests and the environment is not solely the responsibility of the government or relevant departments; it is a shared responsibility of the state, society, local communities and every citizen.

The government has announced a programme to plant 250 million trees over five years. An important scientific principle behind the initiative is to plant not just any tree, but the right native species in the right environment. Recent research on afforestation and forest restoration shows that diverse native forests can store more carbon, conserve biodiversity and better withstand the impacts of climate change than monoculture plantations. The emphasis on protecting “mother trees” is also significant, as large and old trees play an important role in forest regeneration, seed dispersal and carbon storage. Tree-planting programmes should therefore involve GIS-based planning, appropriate species selection, proper care of existing trees and local community participation.

Afforestation alone, however, is not enough. Forests must also provide suitable habitats for animals, birds, insects and other organisms. Restoring degraded forests, protecting wildlife corridors, restoring mangroves and wetlands, conserving pollinators and controlling invasive species are therefore essential to maintaining functioning ecosystems.

The prime minister also placed emphasis on preventing river pollution and dredging and re-dredging rivers and canals. The government has begun work to dredge and re-dredge 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals across the country. Rivers and wetlands are vital not only as water sources but also for flood control, groundwater recharge, fisheries and climate adaptation. Bangladesh therefore needs integrated river-basin management, green buffers along riverbanks, industrial waste control and greater local participation in river restoration.

The government has recognised that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality for Bangladesh. Cyclones, heatwaves, floods, salinity and river erosion are seriously affecting agriculture, health and the economy. The goal of building a “green, clean and climate-resilient Bangladesh” is therefore closely connected with climate policy and social justice.

Emphasis on plastic waste management, the three-R principle—reduce, reuse and recycle—organic fertiliser production and reuse, and energy generation from waste reflects a circular-economy approach. Turning waste into resources can reduce pollution, create employment and strengthen the green economy. This requires waste segregation at source, stronger local government institutions and investment in plastic recycling.

Responsible behaviour by citizens is equally essential. Law enforcement and administrative measures alone cannot ensure environmental protection; a qualitative change in public behaviour is necessary. Environmentalists and committed young people should take the lead in raising public awareness. At the same time, ensuring transparency and accountability in government institutions is essential for good environmental governance.

The most important feature of the government’s environmental vision is that it does not treat the environment as an isolated sector. Instead, it places environmental protection at the heart of national development, public health, food security, economic prosperity and climate resilience. Tree planting, biodiversity conservation, river restoration, pollution control, climate resilience, the green economy and citizen participation together form the foundation of a nature-integrated development model.

Development and environmental protection should not be viewed as competing objectives. Rather, development and prosperity must be pursued in harmony with nature. This policy direction is broadly consistent with international frameworks including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The priority now is to translate these policy commitments into action through science-based planning, strong inter-ministerial coordination, local participation and long-term environmental governance. Only then can the vision of a “green, clean and climate-resilient Bangladesh” become not merely a political commitment, but a foundation for sustainable development.

Writer: Joint Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration.