The World Environment Day was observed in the country yesterday as elsewhere in the world with pledges to conserve the vital natural resources and save the environment for the healthy existence of citizens.

The Department of Environment as well as different educational institutions, environmental and other organisations organised elaborative programmes, including rally, seminar, photo exhibition, essay competition and painting exhibition, to celebrate the day in and outside the capital.

The theme of the day this year 'Green economy: Does it include you?' stressed on eco-friendly initiatives at grassroots level and collaborative global efforts for increased investment in forest and resources management to increase employment, reduce deforestation and help tackle climate change.

Environmentalists, at a seminar in Dhaka University (DU) yesterday, said measures to preserve and protect the envi-

ronment will remain ineffective without the halting of unplanned industrialisation and urbanisation.

They urged the government to take effective and immediate steps to control the illegal grabbing of water bodies like rivers, canals and ponds and prohibit the dumping of toxic industrial wastes into these water sources.

On the occasion, Paribesh Bachao Andolon (Paba) and Subornagram Foundation also jointly organised a rally and discussion at Sonargoan in Narayanganj, where Paba Chairman Abu Naser Khan addressed among others.

National Federation ofYouth Organisations in Bangladesh, Federation of Walkers' Associations, Jahangirnagar University, Pabna Science and Technology University, Independent University Bangladesh, Green University, ASA University Bangladesh, and International University of Business Agriculture and Technology also organised different programmes marking the day.