Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today expressed his optimism that Bangladesh would witness a significant improvement in waste management within the next year. Such improvement would help protect rivers, canals, and other water bodies from pollution, he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks while replying to a question following a notice raised by treasury bench lawmaker SM Rafiqul Islam (Gazipur-3) under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure. With Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, in the chair, Mintoo emphasized that pollution extends beyond industrial activities, affecting multiple facets of the environment across the country.
Minister Mintoo highlighted a proposal under consideration to establish a waste recycling plant at Amin Bazar as part of the government's efforts. He also stressed the necessity of fixing waste management systems in every town across Bangladesh. The government continues to focus on controlling pollution in rivers, canals, and wetlands by ensuring the installation of effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in factories.
"At the same time, we are encouraging the private sector in various ways so that solid waste is properly processed and can be used to produce energy or bio-fertiliser," he added.
In his question, BNP lawmaker SM Rafiqul Islam warned that environmental pollution poses threats to public health and agricultural production, citing untreated liquid waste contaminating water sources, including those accessed through tubewells, which leads to diseases like cancer. He sought clarity on government measures to address alarming pollution levels from industrial waste in Gazipur-3.
Responding to the notice, Minister Mintoo stated that there are 877 industrial units in Gazipur-3 with Department of Environment (DoE) clearances, 129 of which discharge liquid wastes. He assured that all these establishments have effluent treatment plants to treat wastewater before its release and are regularly monitored by the Department of Environment.
Among the 129 industries, 121 have installed IP cameras for real-time monitoring, with the remaining installations underway. The Minister also mentioned a deadline until June 2027 for all such industries to obtain approval and implement zero discharge plans.