Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to come forward to protect the environment and forests, calling Dhaka’s persistent air pollution a matter of shame for the country.

Speaking at a meeting to review the progress and implementation of activities of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he also stressed the need for greater public awareness and collective efforts to build a liveable Bangladesh for future generations.

The Prime Minister urged government officials to take initiatives beyond their assigned duties to protect the environment and forests.

The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room, decided to identify and preserve the country’s mother trees within the next six months.

It also directed the authorities to ensure regular care of planted trees, monitor their survival through field visits, and explore ways to expand afforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Noting that people have limited access to places where they can spend time in nature, Tarique Rahman stressed the need to increase such spaces and encourage people to develop rooftop and school gardens, as well as gardens in different buildings.

He said public awareness is essential alongside government initiatives to protect the environment, adding that greater awareness will make the work easier.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for separate public awareness plans to support the implementation of decisions and programmes for environmental and forest conservation.

Expressing concern over Dhaka’s air pollution, he said the capital has been ranking first or second among the world’s most polluted cities for many years.

“This is a matter of shame for the country. Everyone must take responsibility from their respective positions to change the situation,” Tarique Rahman said.

Addressing ministry officials, he said they have the capacity to do more than their assigned duties.

“Your capacity goes a little beyond the duties assigned to you,” the Prime Minister said, urging officials not to stop at performing their routine responsibilities but to make further efforts for the country and its people.

He said not everyone gets the opportunity to work for the country, and those in responsible positions should make the most of it.

“Allah has given us an opportunity to do something for this country and its people. You may work from nine to five [9am-5pm]. Nobody will say anything if you do nothing beyond that. But if the environment deteriorates, future generations will suffer, because your next generation will also live in this country,” Tarique Rahman said.

He said everyone needs to go beyond their formal responsibilities and contribute more to keeping the environment healthy.

Those seeking change, the Prime Minister added, should use their abilities and come forward.

Referring to the plan to plant 25 crore trees, he said the entire population will benefit if the programme is implemented properly. Collective efforts, he added, could bring positive results for the people.

The meeting also decided that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will take initiatives to make up for any shortfall if other ministries fail to meet their tree-planting targets.

Regular maintenance and monitoring of planted trees will also be ensured.

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