On the occasion of World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2025, as well as the National Tree Plantation Campaign and National Tree Fair 2025, a grand inauguration ceremony was held today, Wednesday, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. At the event, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Hon’ble Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, presented the Wildlife Conservation National Award 2025, the National Environment Medal 2024, the National Award for Tree Plantation 2024, and distributed cheques among the highest profit-earning beneficiaries of social forestry.
The Wildlife Conservation National Award was introduced in 2010 to encourage conservation of forests, nature, and wildlife at the national level. The 2025 awardees include Md. Fazle Rabbi from Natore (individual category), Sherpur Bird Conservation Society (organization category), Dr. Md. Monowar Hossain, Professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, and the Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka. Each recipient was awarded a 22-carat gold medal (weighing two vori), a cheque of BDT 1 lakh, and a certificate.
The National Environment Medal 2024 was awarded to Md. Mahmudul Islam, Mohammad Munir Chowdhury, and Professor Dr. M. Firoz Ahmed in individual categories. In the institutional categories, the award went to Snowtex Outerwear Ltd. (Dhamrai), Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur. Each medal included a cash prize equivalent to the market value of two tola gold, a cheque for BDT 50,000, a crest, and a certificate.
In recognition of exemplary efforts in tree plantation, the National Award for Tree Plantation 2024 was given in seven categories. First-place awardees include Dalgram Dimukhi High School (Lalmonirhat), the Office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Manikchhari, Ms. Dilruba Rahman from Tangail, Sohel Nursery (Rangpur), Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen of Natore, the Chattogram North Forest Division, and the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute. Each winner received a certificate, a crest, and a cheque worth BDT 1 lakh, BDT 75,000, or BDT 50,000 based on their position.
Additionally, ten beneficiaries of social forestry who earned the highest profits were honored with cheques. Among them, Md. Shahaj Uddin received BDT 607,950, Ukil Murmu received BDT 557,325, and Ms. Monowara Begum received BDT 416,700.
Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan expressed her hope that these recognitions would further inspire citizens to actively engage in environmental protection and conservation efforts.
Also present on stage were Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman NDC, Director General of the Department of Environment; and Mr. Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests.