Three individuals and three organizations have been selected for the National Environment Medal 2020 for their outstanding and exemplary contribution to the development of the country’s environment.

The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the National Committee on Medal held on Thursday (February 11) to finalize the nomination for the National Environment Medal 2020. Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin presided over the meeting. Among others, Deputy Minister Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary of the Ministry Ziaul Hasan NDC, Additional Secretary (Environment) Md. Moniruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment A.K.M Rafique Ahammed, Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury and other members of the committee were present.

Valerie Ann Taylor, Founder of Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar and Concord Readymix & Concrete Products Limited and Concord Pre-Stressed Concrete and Block Plant have been nominated In the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control category’s individual and institutional level respectively. . In addition, the renowned climate change expert Salimul Haque and the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) have been nominated for the award in the environmental education and publicity category’s individual and institutional level respectively. Zahurul Karim and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology have been nominated for the award in Environmental research and technology innovation category’s individual and Institutional level respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin said many individuals and organizations in the country are doing commendable work for the welfare of the environment and trees. He said that where most of the people have been cutting down trees indiscriminately for the sake of temporary benefits, people like Wahid Ali Sardar are working to remove nails from thousands of trees out of compassion for the trees. The minister said consideration would be given to increasing the amount of rewards in the future to encourage these people who have been working silently.

It may be mentioned that each person/institution awarded the National Environment Medal will be given a check of the market value of 22 (twenty-two) carat weight of 2 (two) tola weighted gold and additional fifty thousand rupees
, crest and certificate.