Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has stressed that disaster management programme should be made an integral part of environment protection and development, reports agencies.

The Prime Minister has also called for launching an effective social movement Involving all sections of people to ensure protecUon of environment and Its development.

'Bangladesh alongwith other developed nations will continue to take firm steps to overcome the environment pollution." she told a seminar organised in connection of the observance of World Environment Day at Ostnany Memorial Hall here Wednesday.

Begum Zia said immediate

steps have to be taken to build up a green belt in the coastal areas of the country.

"We have to take tree plantation programme as the most powerful weapon to protect ecological balance as well as development." she said.

She said we have to attach top priority to tree plantation in the rural areas, around the houses and on the road sides.

Begum Zia called upon the people to plant at least one tree each and nourish them so that the number of trees increase by 1 1 crore every year and a green Bangladesh

Organised jointly by the Department of Environment and the Department of Forest and National Conservation Strategy of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the seminar was chaired by Dr Mohammad Abdur Rashid. Additional Secretary in-charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The seminar was attended by the cabinet ministers, diplomats and high officials.