Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo stresses sustainable development alongside environmental conservation at award ceremony. Photo : collected

DHAKA, July 10, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today stressed the need to pursue economic development alongside environmental conservation, saying Bangladesh's progress must be sustainable and nature-friendly.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Dwijen Sharma Environment Award-2025 ceremony, the minister said, "Bangladesh must be built in such a way that development coexists with nature. Economic growth, environmental conservation and human welfare must advance together."

The awards ceremony was jointly organised by BRAC Bank and Tarupallab at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy in the capital.

Mintoo said protecting nature is no longer optional but a national responsibility. He praised the award recipients for demonstrating how individual commitment and initiative can create lasting positive changes in environmental conservation and inspire others.

Referring to the government's environmental agenda, he said the National Green Mission has been launched as part of efforts to implement the government's electoral pledges under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The recipients of the Dwijen Sharma Environment Award-2025 are Prof. Dr. Md. Ashrafuzzaman (Nisarga Award) for biodiversity research; Pran Baichitrya Khamar (Biodiversity Award) for sustainable agricultural practices; Md. Badsha Mia (Tree Friend Honor) for grassroots tree plantation efforts; Umme Kulsum Popi (Green Charioteer Honor) for promoting environmental awareness through digital media; Sumaiya Mariam (Novice Naturalist Honor) for technology-based plant counting and Prof. Dr. Kazi Ahsan Habib (Environment Achiever Honor) for contributions to marine biodiversity conservation.