United News of Bangladesh

The government is working to produce wooden products as an alternative to single-use plastics, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources. Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), under the Environment Ministry, will manufacture various wooden products using eco-friendly technology, she said while addressing a discussion with officials and employees of BFIDC in Chattogram. Govt to boost research into environmental protection: Adviser Rizwana She also emphasised the need to enhance expertise in sustainable wood production and processing to ensure the proper utilisation of forest resources. She stressed that BFIDC should focus on research to establish sustainable management, as the responsible use of renewable resources will shape the future of the forest industry. BFIDC Chairman Md Nasir Uddin, Chattogram Regional Forest Conservator Molla Rezaul Karim, Bangladesh Forest Academy Director Md Aminul Islam, BFIDC General Manager Jahan Ara, Chattogram Rubber Division General Manager AM Shahjahan Sarker and other officials were present at the meeting. They discussed the challenges and potential of the forest industry, highlighted the need for policy support from the government and shared their opinions on future initiatives. Earlier, Rizwana visited the BFIDC industrial unit at Kalurghat, Chattogram. Later, she visited the Forest Academy in Chattogram and instructed the relevant authorities to provide updated training to forest officials.  

A total of 199 mobile court operations have been conducted across the country since 3 November last, collecting Tk 25,72,300 in fines on 414 establishments and the seizure of 50,556 kg of polythene shopping bags. Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary and Chairman of the Monitoring Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, on Friday vowed to intensify enforcement efforts alongside raising public awareness about eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags. He shared these updates during a press briefing held at Karwan Bazar following a monitoring operation aimed at curbing the use of polythene bags in the area. Tapan Kumar reiterated that the ban on polythene bags is important for protecting the environment and reducing plastic pollution.  The ministry has been making comprehensive efforts to ensure the success of this initiative, including intensified monitoring operations across the country, he added.  Case filed over Biswa Ijtema killings; one arrested He called on all stakeholders to actively support the government's campaign to safeguard the environment. During the drive, both shopkeepers and customers were encouraged to adopt alternatives such as jute bags, cloth bags, and wax-coated brown paper bags. Several shops showcased environmentally friendly bag options as part of the initiative. Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, alongside representatives from the Department of Environment, were present during the operation to oversee and promote the campaign.