Rangpur: Additional Director General (ADG) of the Department of Environment (DoE) Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali has announced that the government has adopted the National Environmental Management Action Plan (NEMAP) to address environmental pollution and conserve natural resources. He emphasized the importance of public awareness in ensuring the success of this initiative, highlighting that environmental protection and pollution prevention are shared responsibilities between the government and citizens.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali shared these insights as the chief guest at the third views-exchange meeting on NEMAP formulation, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in Rangpur city. The meeting included field-level government and private officials, along with other stakeholders. Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal led the event, which was jointly organized by the district administration and the Department of Environment.
Dr. Ali noted the rising environmental pollution due to non-compliance with regulations, compounded by urbanization and industrialization. He advocated for increased surveillance in industrial areas to curb pollution. He also addressed clinics and diagnostic centers, stressing the need for sustainable and environmentally safe health services.
Deputy Commissioner Faisal concluded by pointing out the high levels of environmental pollution in Bangladesh relative to its size. He highlighted the detrimental impact of brick kilns, noting their contribution to reduced agricultural productivity and pollution. The district administration, he mentioned, is actively campaigning to protect the environment in Rangpur.
Participants at the meeting discussed various issues, including the need for a modern water pollution testing laboratory in Rangpur, freeing the Shyamasundari Canal from encroachment, learning from Japan’s waste management practices, preventing industrial development in residential areas, stopping brick kiln construction on arable land, and reducing the use of plastics and polythene. Special guests included Divisional Director of the DoE Md. Nur Alam, Acting Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension for Rangpur region Md. Sirajul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman, and Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board Md. Rabiul Islam.