Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a balance among agriculture, biodiversity, and food security. "Destroying the environment in the name of development is not acceptable," she asserted during her address as the chief guest at the second session of the "Conference on Agricultural Production and Biodiversity" held at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana highlighted the necessity of integrating environmental concerns into mainstream discussions. She pointed out that to ensure food security, it is crucial to conserve the environment and protect farmers' rights. The adviser challenged the prevailing notion that development and environmental health cannot coexist, advocating for a change in this mindset.
Rizwana raised concerns about the repercussions of industrial pollution, where actions to curb it are often met with resistance due to potential job losses, while the adverse impacts on millions who rely on rivers for their livelihoods and safe drinking water go unnoticed. She expressed alarm over the illegal extraction of topsoil for brick kilns, describing it as "a form of plunder."
The adviser informed that the government is working on the Agricultural Land Protection Act to safeguard agricultural land, which is at risk of disappearing without legislative measures. She also underscored the importance of organic farming, stating that the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is harming the soil.
Rizwana called for immediate investment in organic fertilizer production and distribution, emphasizing the need for Bangladesh to develop its own agricultural model despite pressures from multinational corporations. She urged both the state and individuals to reconsider their consumption habits, noting that electricity is often wasted on unnecessary air conditioning and lighting.
In a positive development, Rizwana shared that the government has launched a restoration project in the Madhupur Sal Forest, replacing eucalyptus trees with native sal trees and other endangered species. She stressed the urgent need to reform policies, laws, and behavioral practices to ensure a sustainable future.
The session also featured speeches from notable figures including economist Anu Muhammad, Abdul Awal Mintoo of Multimode Group, IUBAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Abdur Rab, East Coast Group Chairman Azam J. Chowdhury, Prof Dr. Tofazzal Islam of Gazipur Agricultural University, and Khushi Kabir, Vice President of Bangladesh Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), among others.