STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Due to the growing population and lack of arable land per capita, the country must preserve the environment and plant more trees to provide a healthy and secure living environment for future generations, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday.

He was addressing an event organised by the environment ministry, marking World Environment Day, at Bangabandu International Conference Centre, as the chief guest.

He also called for coordinated efforts among all the stakeholders to protect the environment.

Environment Minister Shahab Uddin underscored the need to stop the use of plastic and polythene. “We have adopted a national action plan to reduce plastic pollution, and by 2030, tree coverage will increase from the current 22.37 percent to 25 percent,” he said.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of standing committee of the environment ministry, said the planet is currently facing three challenges -- climate change, losing biodiversity and plastic pollution. “Bangladesh is no exception to this. The ministry has to take the lead to fight those,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a press release, Amirul Razib, convener of Movement to Protect Tree of Satmasjid Road, said the government must stop felling trees, filling up waterbodies and clearing forest in the name of development. “This tree-felling spree going on at a time when people are struggling to cope up with the sweltering heat,” he said.

He urged the government to bring those who are involved in the tree felling at the capital’s road dividers to book.