The youth must take the lead in protecting the environ-ment and nature, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the environment and water resources ministries, yesterday.

She was addressing the 15th National Nature Summit, organised by the Notre Dame Nature Study Club at Notre Dame College in Dhaka.

Rizwana said the current development approach needs to change, as unsafe food and water are consequences of past mistakes.

"Nature must be at the centre of development. Protecting air, soil, and water is essential," she said.

Protection of nature is not just the government's responsibility but a duty of every citizen, she added.

"Small actions like planting trees, preserving water bodies, and reducing plastic pollution can significantly help in saving nature," she said, urging the youth to actively engage in combating climate change and safeguarding the environment.

She said environmental conservation is a fundamental human right that includes the rights of both humans and animals.

"We must develop a nature-centric mindset and avoid destroying what we cannot create. Simple steps like avoiding plastic bottles, and embracing sustainable lifestyles, can make a big difference," she said.