Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the necessity for every citizen of Bangladesh to become environmentally cautious. She highlighted that infrastructure like roads, flyovers, and electricity should not be seen as the sole basic needs, especially if air and water pollution remain unaddressed. Rizwana questioned the utility of electricity in an environment where air pollution can lead to serious health issues like lung cancer, and stressed the importance of trees for air purification.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser shared these insights during a discussion on ‘Reforms in Environmental Governance: Current Context and Future Challenges’ held at the Department of Environment (DoE) auditorium in observance of World Environment Day. Rizwana advocated for the integration of environmental education into the national curriculum and called for mainstreaming environmental issues across all ministries. She emphasized that development should be pursued in harmony with nature.
Additionally, Rizwana highlighted the urgent need for recruitment in vacant DoE positions, explaining that project preparation often requires outsourcing. She expressed concerns over budget constraints, noting that the ministry operates with one of the lowest budgets, which hampers effective monitoring and restoration efforts. She pointed out that once nature is destroyed, restoration requires significantly more investment.
Rizwana also discussed challenges such as closing illegal brick kilns, managing human-elephant conflict, and the need for technological solutions like CCTV installation. She stressed the importance of reforming land and infrastructure-related laws and strengthening enforcement through funding for night patrols and online monitoring systems. The adviser underscored the need to enhance the environmental clearance and monitoring system, questioning how businesses operate without proper environmental clearances.
The meeting, chaired by DoE Director General Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, included addresses from notable figures such as Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, Dr. Khondaker Rashidul Huq, Mukit Majumdar Babu, Abu Hasnat Md. Maksud Sinha, Professor Nur Mohammad Talukder, and Bareesh Hasan Chowdhury. A keynote paper was presented by DoE Director Masud Iqbal Md. Shamim.