Bangladesh, July 10 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for a collective national effort to protect biodiversity and transform Bangladesh into a safe habitat for all living beings, saying environmental conservation is a shared responsibility of both the government and citizens.

"Bangladesh should become a safe habitat for all animals and all forms of life," the prime minister said while inaugurating the Environment Fair and the National Tree Plantation Campaign at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

He said biodiversity is facing increasing threats due to population growth, climate change, unplanned urbanisation, river and wetland encroachment, deforestation, and other human activities.

Tarique Rahman wa...