Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

World Environment Day was observed in Narayanganj on  Wednesday . This year’s theme was: "No to Plastic Pollution—It's Time to Act". To mark the day, the District Administration and the Department of Environment (DoE), Narayanganj, organized various programs, including: a drawing competition, an essay competition, a rally, free distribution of tree saplings, a discussion meeting, and an award ceremony.

The day’s observance began at 9:30 AM with a formal inauguration by Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia. Following the inauguration, a rally was held in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Participants in the rally included the Deputy Commissioner, representatives from local industries, students from educational institutions, NGO representatives, civil society members, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), and other environmental protection organizations.

At 10:00 AM, a discussion and award ceremony was held in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Among the attendees were Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia, Deputy Commissioner, Dr. A. F. M. Mushior Rahman, Civil Surgeon, Md. Alomgir Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), and A. H. M. Rashed, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, Narayanganj.

Md. Mobarak Hossain, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Narayanganj, delivered the welcome speech. He expressed that celebrating World Environment Day helps to enhance public awareness and involvement in sustainable environmental management.

After the welcome speech, a documentary on the significance of World Environment Day 2025 was shown via multimedia/projector. Md. Russell Mahmud, Assistant Director of the DoE, then gave a brief presentation on the department’s activities related to pollution control and mitigation in the Narayanganj district.

In his remarks, Dr. A. F. M. Mushior Rahman, Civil Surgeon, said that environmental conservation and development cannot be achieved single-handedly. For a healthier and pollution-free Narayanganj, he emphasized the need for public awareness and collective responsibility. He also stressed the importance of not littering indiscriminately and obeying environmental laws.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia stated that due to the rise of new industrial establishments, housing projects, brick kilns, and road construction, land is increasingly shrinking in size. He warned that arable land is diminishing in Narayanganj, disrupting the ecological balance. Moreover, trees and forests are disappearing, and the rivers are drying up. Other water bodies are also in critical condition. Alongside the loss of arable land, soil fertility is decreasing due to drought. In light of this, the Deputy Commissioner called for widespread nationwide awareness campaigns, a ban on unplanned urbanization, proper measures to ensure river water flow, and urgent conservation of canals, wetlands, and water bodies.

Md. Alomgir Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Narayanganj, highlighted the importance of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in protecting the environment.

The event was presided over by A. H. M. Rashed, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, Narayanganj. He stated that environmental issues are not confined to individuals or specific groups—they are universal concerns. He urged everyone to stop using single-use plastics and to remain vigilant about the issue.

At the conclusion of the event, prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners of the children’s drawing and essay competitions. The program ended with the distribution of fruit-bearing and forest saplings among local residents and representatives of various volunteer organizations.