Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized that the youth must take the lead in protecting the environment and nature. She stated that the development approach must change, as unsafe food and water are consequences of past mistakes. Nature must be placed at the center of development, and the protection of air, soil, and water is essential.
She shared these remarks as the Chief Guest at the 15th National Nature Summit, held today at Notre Dame College in Dhaka.
She further added that environmental protection is not only the government’s responsibility but also a duty of every citizen. Small initiatives like tree planting, preserving water bodies, and reducing plastic pollution can significantly contribute to saving nature. She urged the youth to actively engage in combating climate change and safeguarding the environment.
The Advisor noted that environmental conservation is a fundamental human right. It encompasses the rights of both humans and animals. She stressed the need for a nature-centric mindset and remarked that we must not destroy what we cannot create. She also encouraged avoiding unnecessary honking, discontinuing the use of plastic bottles, and embracing sustainable lifestyles.
The summit, presided over by Dr. Father Hemanto Pius Rosario, Principal of Notre Dame College, featured speeches by Mukit Majumder Babu, Chairman of the Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, Biplob Kumar Dev, Moderator of the Notre Dame Nature Study Club, and its founding moderator, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan.
For their contributions to biodiversity and environmental conservation, Mukit Majumder Babu, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, and Dr. Father Hemanto Pius Rosario were awarded lifetime achievement honors. The advisor inaugurated the conference by releasing balloons.
The 15th National Nature Summit witnessed the participation of 1,200 students from over 50 institutions. The Notre Dame College campus buzzed with enthusiasm, showcasing activities like painting competitions, green events, green debates, and exhibitions on eco-friendly technology and innovations.