United News of Bangladesh

Mentioning that protecting the environment and controlling pollution is not the sole responsibility of the government—it is a collective duty, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change urged youth to play active role in protecting the environment to build a pollution-free Bangladesh. “The time to act for the environment is now. If the youth become aware and engaged, a pollution-free Bangladesh can truly become a reality,” she said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion with local environmental organisations and students held at the Natore Circuit House on Monday.  Rains, thundershowers likely across country She also emphasised the need for active participation from the general public, students and social organisations. Expressing concern over industrial waste, the adviser termed it a serious threat to the environment. She also mentioned that the government is taking active steps to control industrial pollution and emphasised the importance of effective liquid waste management. The Ministry of Environment has already undertaken several initiatives in this regard, she said.  Rains likely across country; temperature may drop Natore Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen, Superintendent of Police Md Marufat Hossain, along with students from various educational institutions and environmental activists were present at the meeting.

The government will take stern action against those involved in the attack on forest officials, said Farhina Ahmed, secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Saturday. She also strongly condemned the recent attack on forest officials while they were protecting forest land and termed it as "outrageous and unacceptable." Farhina came up with the remarks while visiting injured Beat Officer Mohidur Rahman at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital this morning. She urged law enforcement agencies to promptly identify and bring the attackers to justice. She also inquired about the injured officer’s condition and gave necessary instructions to hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment. A group of miscreants, attempting to encroach on forest land, launched the attack on field-level forest officials, she said.  Rains likely across country; temperature may drop “It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety of those who are working to protect our environment,” said Farhina. Joint Secretary (Forest) Shamima Begum, Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, and other senior officials were present during the visit.  Nepal hosts environment conference as Himalayan glaciers melt Beat Officer Mohidur Rahman Joy and four other forest staff were injured in an attack by miscreants on Friday while resisting an attempted land grab at the Savar Sub-Beat area in Chhoto Kaliakoir, Savar.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has recovered 16 acres of illegally occupied forest land in Gazipur since August 5 out of a total of 90 acres marked for reclamation, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said. She said this while addressing a discussion on forest and environmental conservation at the conference room of the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday. “No matter how powerful the illegal occupants are, strict action will be taken against them,” Rizwana said. Old, polluting buses in Dhaka to be scrapped to combat air pollution: Rizwana She said all occupied lands will be freed from illegal occupation within the next three months and instructed deputy commissioners to expedite the process of demarcating forest boundaries. Rizwana warned that strict actions will also be taken to prevent deforestation and pollution caused by industries. She advised the Department of Environment to thoroughly review all aspects before issuing permits and include public opinion during the renewal process. The Adviser called upon all stakeholders including citizens and organisations to actively contribute to environmental protection efforts. Certain areas to be declared ‘no brickfield zones:’ Rizwana The discussion, presided over by Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nafisa Arefin, was attended by key officials, including the Superintendent of Police, the Commander of the Army Security Unit, the Commander of 63 BGB, the Secretary of Gazipur City Corporation, representatives from the Forest Department and the Department of Environment, local representatives, environmental activists, and government and non-government officials. The participants discussed pressing issues such as local environmental degradation, illegal forest occupation, and industrial pollution.