Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged people to take responsibility for keeping their neighbourhoods, canals and public spaces clean as he said environmental protection cannot be left to the government alone.

"We must protect our own environment. If we do not keep our homes, neighbourhoods and country clean, we ourselves will suffer," he said before inaugurating a tree plantation programme along the Sagardi Canal near Trish Godown Memorial area in Barishal city.

The Prime Minister said everyone should play a role in preserving the environment by properly disposing of waste and caring for trees and water bodies.

"Protecting the environment is not the responsibility of the government or the City Corporation alone. We all have to come forward,” he said.

Addressing local residents before planting a coconut sapling along Sagardi Canal, Tarique Rahman said around 350 saplings are being planted on both sides of the canal and urged the local community to ensure their proper care.

"Planting the saplings is not the end of our responsibility. The people living beside this canal and everyone who planted these trees today must take care of them," he said.

The Prime Minister said the canal would become even more beautiful once the trees grow, providing shade and a pleasant environment for people visiting the area.

"The benches along the canal will become more comfortable places to sit under the shade of these trees, and people will enjoy the fresh air," he added.

The Prime Minister said preserving Sagardi Canal was equally important and stressed that its maintenance should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of the City Corporation.

"This canal is an important asset for the area. Looking after it is not only the responsibility of the City Corporation. Everyone living around it has a duty to protect it," he said.

Pointing to plastic bottles, polythene bags, tissue paper and other waste floating in the canal, Tarique urged residents not to throw litter into the water.

"I request all of you to encourage others not to throw plastic bottles, packets, tissues or any other waste into the canal," he said.

Tarique also requested the Barishal City Corporation to install more dustbins in parks and other public places where people gather so that visitors can dispose of waste properly.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to wastewater pipes discharging directly into the canal and urged the City Corporation to improve the drainage system.

"It is better not to allow sewage or wastewater connections to flow directly into the canal because that pollutes the environment," he said.

Tarique said protecting the environment begins with individual responsibility. "If we do not keep our own homes clean, they become dirty. In the same way, if we fail to take care of our neighbourhoods and our country, we will be the ones who suffer," Tarique said.

He said there is little point in admiring the cleanliness of other countries if Bangladeshis fail to protect their own surroundings.

"We often admire the beauty of other countries, but we must first take care of our own country," the Prime Minister said.

He said Bangladesh has repeatedly demonstrated that people can achieve great things when they work together.

Tarique recalled that people from all walks of life united during the Liberation War and also came together to remove authoritarian rule during mass uprising in 2024.

"When we stand shoulder to shoulder for the good of the country and its people, everyone benefits," he said.

"Let us pledge today that each of us will do our part to keep the areas around our homes, schools, colleges, hospitals, offices and neighbourhoods clean and protect the environment. Let this be our commitment and our promise," he said.

The programme marked the plantation of around 350 saplings along both sides of  Sagardi Canal.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan, BNP Chairperson's Advisers Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Masud Ahmed Talukdar, Barishal City Corporation Administrator Bilkis Jahan Shirin and other leaders also planted saplings along the canal.

 After the programme, the Prime Minister went to the Circuit House for lunch and Zohr prayers before attending his final engagement of the Barishal tour—an interaction with local BNP leaders at the Shilpakala Academy.