Dhaka:Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has urged the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) to actively promote eco-friendly construction practices.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made this call during a review meeting with REHAB representatives held at the ministry's meeting room at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on strategies to reduce air pollution, particularly in Dhaka, during the upcoming dry season, mitigate dust pollution from construction activities, and increase the use of environment-friendly materials.
Mintoo emphasized the importance of implementing dust-control measures at construction sites to combat air pollution. He called for strict adherence to environmental regulations by construction and repair organizations and advocated for a gradual shift towards using eco-friendly blocks instead of traditional bricks. He outlined specific measures such as enclosing construction sites, covering materials like soil and sand, and ensuring vehicles transporting these materials are covered and cleaned.
He also highlighted the necessity of not leaving construction materials on roads and footpaths to prevent obstruction and dust pollution. Regular water spraying at construction sites and the prompt, environmentally sound removal of construction waste were also stressed as essential practices.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam reiterated the need for dust-control measures in daily construction operations. He suggested assigning officials to oversee the covering of materials, water spraying, and waste disposal, and urged REHAB members to develop plans for increasing the use of eco-friendly blocks in collaboration with government agencies.
REHAB representatives, including President Dr Ali Afzal and Senior Vice-President Md Abdur Razzaque, expressed concerns about ensuring the quality of blocks and potential cost increases. The meeting explored setting targets for block usage in new projects and coordinating with authorities like Rajuk to integrate blocks into building codes and approval procedures.
The discussions also included rationalizing VAT, taxes, and import duties on block materials and reinforcing compliance with environmental regulations in construction. The ministry's Acting Secretary Dr Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary Dr Md Saidur Rahman, and other officials were present at the meeting.