Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and National Tree Fair 2026, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment, expanding forest cover and encouraging greater public participation in tackling climate change.

The Prime Minister opened the programmes at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital around 11:30am under the theme, "Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation; Bangladesh First."

The programme began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by readings from other holy scriptures.

The Prime Minister also distributed the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, the National Tree Plantation Award 2025, and profit-sharing cheques among the best beneficiaries of the Social Forestry Programme.

He presented the National Environment Award 2025 to selected individuals and organisations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation.

The award was presented in six categories—three for individuals and three for institutions.

Each recipient received a cash award equivalent to the market value of two tolas of 22-carat gold, a cheque for Tk 50,000, a crest and a certificate.

A documentary highlighting the government's achievements in environment, forestry and climate change was also screened.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister planted saplings of olive, jarul and neem trees on the premises of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

He later visited different stalls at the National Tree Fair being held at the former Dhaka International Trade Fair ground.

The fair has been organised to encourage greater public participation in environmental conservation, afforestation and efforts to address the impacts of climate change.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam and the Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saimum Parvez, among others, addressed the programme.

Alongside the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in Dhaka, tree fairs are being held for 15 days in all divisional headquarters, seven days in 56 district headquarters and three days in 29 upazilas. The national fair in Dhaka features 120 stalls.

The government has adopted a five-year master plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country and ensure their proper care and maintenance as part of implementing its election manifesto.

On June 13, the Prime Minister launched the nationwide five-year tree plantation programme at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar to strengthen environmental protection and tackle the impacts of climate change.

So far, the Forest Department has planted 8.332 million saplings, achieving nearly 17 percent of this year's target.