Dhaka, Jul 09 (V7N)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stressed the need to improve Bangladesh's urban environment, saying Dhaka's ranking among the world's least livable cities highlights the urgency of making the capital greener and more sustainable.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair at the China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka on Thursday, marking Environment Day.
Referring to a recent global livability ranking, the prime minister said Dhaka was placed third among the world's least livable cities, emphasizing that the country must work to improve the city's environmental conditions.
"It is very important to get out of this situation. Even as a developing country, the way factories are being established everywhere is not desirable," he said.
The prime minister noted that environmental awareness remains low among many people and called for greater public education on environmental protection and sustainable development.
Reaffirming an election pledge, Tarique Rahman announced the government's commitment to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. He urged citizens to plant species suitable for local ecosystems and discouraged the cultivation of environmentally harmful trees such as eucalyptus.
"We must be conscious of planting the right trees in the right places," he said.
During the অনুষ্ঠানে, the government presented the National Environment Medal to three individuals and three institutions for their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation. In addition, 21 recipients in seven categories were honored with the National Tree Plantation Award for their efforts in promoting afforestation.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, Dhaka ranked third among the world's least livable cities in its latest survey of 173 cities, maintaining the same position it held in the 2025 index.
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