Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to go for nature-based solution to achieve sustainable development keeping the environment protected.

"The development would never be sustainable unless we do it coordinating with environment. So, we have to go for nature-based solution keeping it in mind," she said, reports BSS.

The premier said this while addressing a function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on World Environment Day and Environment Fair-2022 coinciding with "National Tree Plantation Campaign" and "Tree Fair 2022".

This year's theme of World Environment Day is "Only One Earth", with focusing on "living sustainably in harmony with nature".

The premier joined the "National Tree Plantation Campaign" and "Tree Fair 2022" virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here.

Sheikh Hasina said the country should go for development but, it will have to be done following nature-based solution policy. "This is urgently needed," she added.

She said the government has clear instruction that if any tree is needed to be cut for any development project, then five times more trees have to be planted.

"We have to do our development. Our population is increasing and people of Bangladesh should get developed life and they need to lead their lives without any hassle. And we have to ensure it," she said

So, for development, if any tree is cut down, five times more trees have to be planted to protect the environment, she reiterated.

"We always take our plans this way," the premier continued.

In this connection, she said for preserving arable lands, the government is setting up 100 economic zones across the country to prevent indiscriminate establishment of mills and factories.