Environment, forest and climate change and water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that each of us must take responsibility for protecting the environment, and that now is the right time to build values in the next generation.

She said we must move away from the mistaken idea that the government will fix everything. Awareness of environmental conservation must begin in the family.

She was speaking as chief guest at the closing and prize-giving ceremony for World Environment Day 2025 at the Department of Environment in the capital on Saturday (19 July), according to a press release from the Press Information Department.

Praising children's participation in drawing and other environmental competitions, she said the contests had created love for nature among children, and the conscious participation of parents had made them a success. From this interest will come the future leadership in protecting the environment.

The adviser said children must be helped to befriend nature and made aware from an early age of the consequences of cutting trees and the effects of noise pollution. Values, not laws, will be the foundation of environmental protection.

She added that avoiding polythene, awareness against noise pollution and the economical use of electricity and water are small habits that form part of environmental education. A culture of environment-friendly events must be built, without disturbing others with loud noise at social gatherings. She noted that displaying the work of competition winners at educational institutions could create more enthusiasm for environmental education.

Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, spoke as special guest, and Department of Environment director general Dr Md Kamruzzaman presided. The adviser handed out prizes to the winners of environmental drawing, debate, essay, project proposal and best fair stall competitions.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.