Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called on people from all walks of life to take initiatives to protect the environment and forests, urging government officials to go beyond their routine duties to build a liveable Bangladesh for future generations.

 “Everyone has the capacity to do a little more than their assigned duties,” he said at a meeting to review the progress and implementation of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry’s activities at the ministry’s conference room.

The meeting decided to identify and conserve the country’s mother trees within the next six months. It also emphasized proper care of planted saplings, regular monitoring of their survival and exploring ways to expand afforestation in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to raise public awareness alongside government initiatives, saying greater awareness would make environmental protection efforts easier.

He also called for creating more spaces where people could enjoy nature and encouraging rooftop and school gardening, as well as gardens in other buildings.

Expressing concern over air pollution in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman said the capital had ranked first or second among the world’s most polluted cities for years, describing the situation as a matter of shame for the country.

He urged everyone to take responsibility in their respective positions to change the situation.

Addressing ministry officials, the Prime Minister said they had the ability to contribute beyond their assigned responsibilities and should not limit themselves to routine office work.

“Allah has given us an opportunity to do something for this country and its people. You may work from nine to five, and nobody will question you if you do nothing beyond that. But if the environment deteriorates, future generations will suffer, as your next generation will also live in this country,” he said.

He underscored the need for separate public awareness plans to support the implementation of decisions and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and forests.

Referring to the government’s plan to plant 25 crore (250 million) trees, the Prime Minister said the entire population would benefit if the programme was implemented properly.

He called for collective efforts to bring positive changes for the country and its people.

The meeting also decided that the Environment and Forest Ministry would take initiatives to make up for any shortfall if other ministries failed to meet their tree-planting targets. Regular care and monitoring of planted trees were also emphasised.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Saimum Parvez, Acting Secretary Fahmida Khanom and senior officials attended the meeting.