BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. File photo

DHAKA, June 4, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today called upon all to come together, across political and social boundaries, to build a sustainable Bangladesh, one where future generations inherit a land that is 
green, livable and resilient.

In a message on the eve of World Environment Day, he said: "Environmental conservation is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Let us protect our air, water, and soil, and safeguard the future for all."

This day serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable living at a time when reckless industrialisation and unplanned development practices continue to threaten ecosystems across the globe, he said.

The BNP acting chairman said Bangladesh, by virtue of its geography, is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty and ecological diversity.
 
"It is therefore our solemn duty to preserve this rich environment for future generations. From its very inception, the BNP has been recognised as an environmentally conscious party. Over the years, we have championed initiatives including widespread tree plantation drives, canal excavation and maintenance projects, and active campaigns to restrict the use of harmful plastics," he said.

BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman launched the Environment Pollution Control Project in 1977, an initiative that later evolved into what is now the Department of Environment, Tarique Rahman said.
 
Continuing this legacy, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia introduced the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act in 1995 and established the country's first Environmental Courts, pioneering legal mechanisms for ecological protection, he mentioned.

"Our goal has always been to build a greener, cleaner Bangladesh," he said.

In light of today's escalating climate crisis and worsening industrial pollution, a pragmatic and forward looking national strategy is more needed 
than ever, he added.
 
The BNP acting chairman pledged to undertake the following actions to safeguard Bangladesh's environment:

1. Develop a National Green Recovery Plan with a strong focus on reforestation (planting 250 to 300 million trees within the next five years), 
renewable green energy, and sustainable agriculture

2. Ban harmful plastics and toxic chemicals, while promoting biodegradable alternatives across industries and households

3. Launch a comprehensive dredging and restoration program for rivers and canals to combat waterlogging and protect aquatic ecosystems

4. Support climate resilient agriculture and infrastructure in the country's vulnerable southern regions, helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change

5. Integrate environmental education into school curricula to build a generation of environmentally conscious citizens