Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday shared his optimism with Parliament, asserting that Bangladesh is on track to see significant improvements in waste management within the next year, which will aid in protecting the nation's rivers, canals, and other water bodies from pollution.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Minister Mintoo addressed questions raised by treasury bench lawmaker SM Rafiqul Islam under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure, emphasizing that despite being a new administration, the government is acutely aware of the pressing waste management issues. The minister said that measures are being planned to address environmental degradation, which is not solely caused by industrial activities but also occurs through various channels that contribute to overall environmental pollution.
To further tackle the problem, Minister Mintoo revealed that a proposal is under consideration for establishing a waste recycling plant in Amin Bazar, which would play a pivotal role in enhancing waste management. He stressed the need for robust waste management systems in every town nationwide and highlighted ongoing government efforts to control pollution in rivers, canals, and wetlands by ensuring the installation of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in factories.
Minister Mintoo also mentioned the encouragement of private sector initiatives to ensure that solid waste is properly processed, potentially being converted into energy or bio-fertilizer. The call for action was reinforced by the concerns of a BNP lawmaker who warned that environmental pollution not only poses a threat to public health but also affects agricultural productivity, leading to the contamination of water sources and the spread of diseases such as cancer.
Earlier, the government was questioned about its strategies to combat industrial liquid waste pollution in Gazipur-3, where the environment minister disclosed that out of 877 industrial units with clearances from the Department of Environment, 129 discharge liquid waste. He assured Parliament that these establishments have effluent treatment plants, with regular monitoring in place to prevent the release of untreated wastewater.
Minister Mintoo also noted that 121 out of the 129 liquid waste-emitting industries have installed IP cameras for real-time monitoring, with plans to complete installation in the remaining eight underway. The government has set a deadline until June 2027 for all such industries to obtain approval and implement zero discharge plans, underscoring its commitment to addressing the environmental challenges posed by waste management in Bangladesh.