Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said on Thursday sustainable development cannot be achieved by greenwashing projects or treating environmental protocols as routine exercises.
“We must build systems that respect public participation, access to information, and access to justice,” she said.
The adviser said this while addressing an event organised marking the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) 2025 with the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, at the Department of Environment (DoE), Agargaon of Dhaka.
Emphasizing sustainability over compliance checklists, she said, “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports are meaningless if they are not written in people’s language or shared with the people. Public voices must not only be heard—they must be acted upon.”
Expressing concern over the growing gap between environmentalists and government agencies, the Adviser observed, “There is a tendency to approve development projects without properly addressing environmental concerns. Environment is often treated as an afterthought. That mindset must change.”
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She further said, “I have directed the Department of Environment to make all EIA reports public. People have the right to know. Responding to public complaints is not a favor—it’s our duty. We must act transparently and communicate back to the citizens.”
Underscoring the importance of governance reform, Rizwana added, “We must move beyond departmental silos. The vision of environmental protection must be owned by all ministries—not just one.”
Referring to environmental degradation in Bangladesh, the Adviser warned, “Our air, rivers, and biodiversity are in peril. Without putting nature at the center of our development model, we cannot move forward.”
The workshop was chaired by Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, ndc, Director General, DoE. Among the distinguished speakers were Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary (Environment); Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh; Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, renowned wildlife biologist; and Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali, Additional Director General, DoE.
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The event brought together policymakers, environmentalists, academics, and development partners to reaffirm Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in true harmony with nature.