Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Wednesday said an initiative has been taken to increase inter-ministerial coordination for saving and improving the environment.
“Inter-ministerial cooperation is very critical to protect the environment.So, an initiative has been taken to increase inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation aiming to take and implement effective measures to check environmental pollution and combat climate changes,” he said.
As part of this initiative, separate meetings were held with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Naheed Ezaher Khan at Bangladesh Secretariat, said a press release of the Environment Ministry.
The environment minister said talks were held with the road transport and bridges minister at the latter's office over black smoke emissions from vehicles and pollution caused by construction works in roads and highways.
The road transport minister assured necessary cooperation in this regard saying that measures to be taken to stop transport vehicles that pollute the environment.\
About the outcomes of the meeting with the health minister, Saber Hossain said his ministry will work together with the Health Ministry to protect public health from the adverse impacts of climate changes. “This is why the health issue will also be included in the National Adaptation Plan,” he said.
About the meeting with the state minister for cultural affairs, the environment minister said the support will be taken from the Cultural Affairs Ministry to enhance public awareness to combat different types of environmental pollution.
He said initiatives will be taken to raise public awareness about pollution through various cultural activities including jatra, baul songs, poetry recitations.
In the meetings, Saber stressed the need for inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the environmental sustainability of Bangladesh.
The environment ministry will also sit in meetings with other ministries concerned in phases.