Plant trees to protect environment: PM

She made the call while inaugurating the National Tree Plantation Movement 2006 and National Tree Fair 2006 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

The three-month-long drive got off to a formal start yesterday when the World Environment Day was observed across the globe with a campaign titled 'Deserts and Desertification: Don't Desert Dry Lands'.

The PM urged each of the families in the country to plant 10 wood, fruit-bearing and medicinal plants, including five Neem trees, this year to save lands and environs and earn some extras for affluence.

"Let us plant trees and safeguard our environment. Plant wood, fruit-bearing, medicinal and Neem saplings for the sake of the future generation as well as boosting individual prosperity and prosperity of the nation," she said in her call at the function attended by ministers, MPs and people of different sections and professions.

Expressing her belief that sustainable development is not possible without proper development and conservation of the environment, Khaleda urged concerned agencies to be more vigilant to ensure fulfilling prerequisites before undertaking any development programme.

“Before undertaking any development programme, we must first determine its impact on the environment.

Valuable croplands must not be allowed to be destroyed by industrial effluents. Air pollution should also not be allowed,” she said in her directive, adding that environment and development are complementary to each other.

Presided over by Environment Minister Tariqul Islam, the function was also addressed by Agriculture Minister MK Anwar, Post and Telecommunications Minister Barrister Aminul Huq and State Minister for Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury.

Marking the World Environment Day, the PM released a commemorative stamp at the function.

The Prime Minister also distributed Prime Minister's Tree Planting Award-2005 among recipients in 16 categories. Every category was selected as first, second and third position. First position got a cheque for Tk 20,000, 2nd Tk 15,000 and 3rd Tk 10,000 along with certificates.

In people's representative category, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan was adjudged for the first position while PM's Parliamentary Affairs Advisor Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Shamsuzzoha Chowdhury MP jointly second position and SA Khaleque MP third position.

Rajshahi Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu positioned first in the Pourashava and city corporation category while Chittagong Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhry second and Feni Pourashava third.

The awardees received awards from the Prime Minister.

Later, Khaleda inaugurated a month-long National Tree Fair 2006 at the National Parade Squire.. She visited some tree stalls in the fair. A total of 126 stalls are participating in the fair.