United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has categorically rejected the latest draft of the proposed Global Plastics Treaty, demanding stronger measures against plastic pollution. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the draft falls far short of the mandate set by United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution 5/14 to establish an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. Dhaka made its position clear during the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2), held on Wednesday at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, said a media release sent from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday. The media release said that the draft “represents a weak and inadequate outcome” that excludes supply-side measures and fails to address the full life cycle of plastics. The ministry noted that it does not address health impacts, chemicals of concern, or the waste hierarchy, and imposes no robust obligations to curb trans-boundary plastic pollution. BIMSTEC seeks joint efforts to achieve plastic-smart Bay of Bengal region The draft also lacks provisions for reliable means of implementation, instead relying on a “convoluted and voluntary approach” that ignores the urgency of the global plastic crisis. Bangladesh underscored that the treaty’s core must confront harmful chemicals in plastics—where scientific evidence most strongly links to health risks—and address emissions and primary plastic production, given the harms plastics cause throughout their life cycle. “This text does little to protect human health or the environment from plastic pollution. It reduces the treaty to a waste management framework, shirking responsibility for plastic producers and omitting binding measures to phase out the most harmful plastic products,” the ministry says. Bangladesh reaffirmed that it cannot support the draft without substantial and meaningful amendments and called on negotiators to significantly raise ambition in line with the UNEA mandate. Earlier in the day, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources, called for stronger global partnerships and targeted resources to combat plastic pollution. Single-use plastic to be banned at Secretariat from Oct 2 : Cabinet Secretary Speaking at an Informal Ministerial Roundtable during INC-5.2 in Geneva, she highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability as a downstream country and urged a global framework to address trans-boundary pollution. Rizwana stressed promoting circular economy models, plugging waste management leakages, fostering sustainable product design and ensuring a just transition for waste workers. Emphasising the environmental and health dimensions, she urged ambitious, cooperative action to phase out harmful plastics through institutionalised global cooperation.

The government is working towards a long-term and sustainable solution to the ongoing human-elephant conflict, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Monday. “The government is not an adversary but a supporter. We must be patient and work together to resolve this crisis,” she said while speaking at a cheque distribution and exchange meeting held at Madhutila Ecopark in Sherpur. “Humans are occupying the elephants' natural habitat, leading to a decrease in their food sources. Instead of planting eucalyptus and other foreign species, we must plant native trees that provide food for elephants,” she said.  No scope for national election to go beyond  June next year: Rizwana  “The lives of elephants are as important as human lives. We must restore our forests. The government is not an adversary, but a supporter. If natural forests are destroyed, we too will suffer. We must replace commercial tree plantations with natural forests,” she added. She instructed the district administration and forest department to jointly prepare an integrated action plan to resolve the conflict sustainably. The event was presided over by Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury. The keynote speaker was internationally renowned wildlife expert Professor Mohammad Ali Reza Khan. Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torafdar Mahmudur Rahman, Conservator of Forests of the Central Region ASM. Zahid Uddin Akon, Conservator of Forests for Wildlife and Nature Conservation Md Sanaullah Patwari, BGB Commander Lt. Col. Tanvir Hossain Majumder and ERT members Imtiaz Ali and Mohammad Hasmat Ali were present there.  Govt formulating plans to prevent further damage to rivers: Adviser Rizwana She also handed over a total of Tk 6,00,000 to the families of two individuals killed by elephants, and Tk 3,27,000 to 15 families for crop and property damage.   Besies, the adviser distributed binoculars, torch lights, hand mics, whistles, and other essential gear among members of the Elephant Response Team (ERT). Earlier, the adviser visited the Daudhara Garo Hills Tourist Center in Nalitabari upazila and the long-term plantation project under Madhutila Range for the fiscal year 2017–18. Since 2014, compensation totaling Tk 9.1 million has been provided to the families of 45 deceased individuals, Tk 1.041 million to 34 injured persons, and Tk 16.884 million to 906 families for crop and property damage. In total, Tk 27.025 million has been disbursed to 985 affected individuals.  

The government has approved 29 new projects under the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) to address the growing threats posed by climate change. The approval was granted at the 62nd meeting of the Trustee Board, held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday. Chaired by Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the meeting was attended, among others, by Lieutenant General (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministries of Home and Agriculture; Sharmin S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministries of Women and Children, and Social Welfare; Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid; Secretary of Environment Dr Farhina Ahmed; and Secretary of Finance Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, among other high-ranking officials. These new projects have been designed to strengthen climate resilience, conserve the environment, and promote sustainable agricultural and urban development. Key initiatives include research on carbon emissions and climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh’s haor wetlands, as well as the development of eco-friendly technologies to enhance dairy production. Adviser Rizwana urges unified global action to tackle climate change The impact of climate change on plant phenology in four ecological hotspots will also be studied. Besides, the projects will focus on improving onion seed storage and production, adopting climate-smart agricultural technologies in char, haor, and coastal regions, and restoring water bodies in major urban centres like Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. Afforestation along five canals in Narayanganj and conservation efforts in Gazipur’s Lobonadaha Canal are also planned. To ensure access to clean drinking water in remote regions, solar-powered deep tube wells will be installed in the hill tracts of Rangamati, while safe drinking water initiatives will be introduced for affected communities in Bandarban. Other notable projects include subsidised jute bags as an alternative to plastic, expansion of palm and mangrove plantations, biodiversity conservation, and research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The projects will be implemented by various government agencies and research institutions, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Chittagong, the Department of Public Health Engineering, the Bangladesh Agricultural University, the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, and the Department of Environment, among others. Hilly areas neglected in climate change interventions: Rizwana Speaking at the meeting, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to tackling climate change. She expressed optimism that these projects would not only drive sustainable development but also ensure significant progress in environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said reducing air pollution is a time-consuming process dependent on economic capacity, development patterns, communication infrastructure, and the transport system. Thirty to 35% of Bangladesh’s air pollution originates from foreign sources, while 28% comes from power plants, underscoring the need for a well-defined action plan to control pollution, she said while speaking as the chief guest at a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Bangladesh Clean Air Project on Wednesday. The workshop was held at the Department of Environment in Dhaka’s Agargaon. Rizwana, US Charge d’Affaires discuss critical environmental challenges Reducing air pollution is impossible without improving fuel quality and increasing refinery capacity. Even neighbouring countries that have enhanced their refineries still struggle with air pollution, often ranking among the most polluted cities. Therefore, Bangladesh must adopt a long-term strategy to combat pollution effectively, the adviser said. For the Clean project to be meaningful, tangible progress in pollution reduction must be visible. Merely monitoring and reporting the deterioration of air quality is not enough; concrete actions must be taken. The Department of Environment will launch a hotline where citizens can report air pollution issues during the winter months, added Rizwana. Adviser Rizwana urges unified global action to tackle climate change "This project must be designed in a way that ensures visible improvements in air quality. If we can reduce dust pollution by 13% and control industrial emissions, we will make significant progress,” she said. The World Bank has already joined the project, and more development partners should be engaged to ensure that it meets the country's real needs and provides practical solutions for the people, Rizwana also said. Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr Md Kamruzzaman, and World Bank Manager-Environment Christian Albert Peter spoke at the event, among others.

China and India will be requested to ensure that planned dams on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh and near the Tibet border are constructed without compromising Bangladesh’s interests, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. “We have formally sought information from China regarding their hydropower project near Tibet. They assured us that lower riparian countries will not be adversely affected. However, we have sought further data through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,”she said responding to a journalist’s question after attending a board meeting at the River Research Institute’s circuit house. Rizwana, US Charge d’Affaires discuss critical environmental challenges Padma and Teesta rivers are already experiencing reduced water flow and if the Brahmaputra’s flow is reduced, the riverine nature of Bangladesh will face severe challenges, she said. Syeda Rizwana shared directives given to the River Research Institute to expand its scope and visibility. Among these are identifying pollution levels in industrial zones and pinpoint GPS locations of contamination in major rivers around Dhaka. “This approach will reduce reliance on external funding for tackling river pollution. The institute has also been instructed to assess the ecological impacts of sand extraction from rivers,” she added. Following the briefing, the adviser inspected the institute’s operations. Among those present were River Research Institute Director General SM Abu Huraira, Water Development Board Director General Tahmidul Islam, Shipping Ministry Secretary Mohammad Yusuf, and Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan Molla. Adviser Rizwana urges unified global action to tackle climate change China recently approved the construction of the world’s largest dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet’s Medog County, near the border with India. The project, described as China's most ambitious, was officially announced in 2020. In response, Indian officials began exploring the possibility of building a counter-dam to address potential disruptions caused by China's project.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday said the country’s hilly districts have been neglected in the climate change interventions, though the areas face a devastating impact. “When we talk about climate change and adaptation, yes, we do talk about Cox’s Bazar and the coastal areas….. We really don’t talk about the hill areas where the climate changes also have a devastating impact,” she said. The environment adviser made this remark while addressing the national-level launching event of a project titled “USAID Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity” at Hotel InterContinental here. This five-year US$ 70,199-activity will be implemented in four districts --Cox’s Bazar and three Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) districts-- to empower the communities to improve well-being and resilience. Polythene ban must be implemented for better future: Adviser Rizwana Noting that this project is a very important intervention, she thanked the US government and USAID for coming forward to support the people of a region whose names are really not mentioned much in the climate change talks. Rizwana said the country’s natural resources-rich three CHT districts and Cox’s Bazar should be seen as areas of potential, not problems. “The natural resources rich areas like Cox’s Bazar and the hilly districts of Bangladesh should actually be seen not as areas of problems but as areas of potential. Regrettably because of different interventions and geopolitics over the decades we have turned them into areas of conflicts and areas of problems,” she said. Rizwana, also the Water Resources Adviser, said the Department of Public Health and Engineering claimed they supply water to 63 percent of the population in Rangamati, 61percent in Bandarban and 78 percent in Khagrachhari. “If we accept this government-given statistics true, then also a huge number of people are left behind and are not getting access to public water supply,” she said, adding that the USAID project that talks about the supply of water will have a very positive impact on those who are left behind and those who are not covered by the government’s network. Youth must lead in protecting environment and nature: Adviser Rizwana Citing that the restaurants of indigenous food in Dhaka are pretty popular, the adviser said in this era of internet and increased tourism, the people of Bangladesh have a quiet taste of indigenous food and that is a way of showing respect to their culture. She said the indigenous food, cloth, jewelry and food production system can actually be assisted to find a place in the mainstream markets. Chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Dhaka Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson said Cox’s Bazar and CHT areas are important regions that have tremendous natural beauty and resources and very rich coastal heritages and also regions that face challenges – challenges from natural disasters like cyclones and flooding. These challenges prevent the people from achieving economic outcomes in food security and in educational outcomes they want, she said. Jacobson said the influx of Rohingyas to this area has put pressure on local infrastructures and local resources and complicated the problems. “Developing sustainable solutions requires us to work together and leverage local expertise to lead the way. This is why we are bringing together partners from government, business, civil society, and most importantly – community members – and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to build brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves,” she said. President of Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) Dr Manzoor Ahmed delivered the welcome speech at the function. Plan to revive 19 canals in Dhaka finalised: Rizwana The USAID Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity 2024-2029, to be implemented by local organization FIVDB, will provide people with job skills training and economic opportunities, improve access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation and hygiene, and prepare host communities to better mitigate the effects of natural disasters. The initiative will also bring host and impacted communities together with local authorities to protect over 35,000 hectares of land and conserve the area’s precious natural resources. This new programme builds upon U.S. government support for host communities in Bangladesh as part of more than $2.5 billion in assistance for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, which includes more than $2.1 billion of support for refugees and host and impacted communities in Bangladesh. Under the Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity, FIVDB will lead a consortium of partners comprised of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), DevWorks International, Helen Keller International, Christian Aid, and the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation alongside local organizations from the Chittagong Hill Tracts that includes ANANDO, ASHIKA Development Associates, and Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity to implement this activity.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the recent comments made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir regarding the upcoming national election were political in nature and not indicative of any rift between the BNP and the government. Responding to journalists’ questions during a press conference at the Secretariat on the progress of the "Natural Capital Mapping" initiative, Rizwana said that there was no gap between them. Fakhrul had called on the interim government to take action for holding the national election between July and August. DoE fines over Tk 24 lakh, closes 9 brick kilns for polluting environment Rizwana said, “This is not a question of a gap. If you observe the whole process, the reform commissions are working, and all political parties, including the BNP, have provided written opinions. Therefore, they have accepted the idea of reforms. They have been saying from the beginning that reforms are necessary.” She also said, “Any political party can make its political statement. They have an audience, and they will speak their mind. There is no issue of a gap here. The statements made by political parties are their political statements. There is no room for conflict here.” The adviser added that decisions will be reached through discussions, and that Fakhrul's comments should be viewed as those of a political party spokesperson, while the government's stance was from their official position. The adviser also said that discussions with political parties are expected to begin by mid-February. When asked about talks with the Jatiya Party, she mentioned that several issues, including reforms, the election roadmap, and the demand for justice, were being addressed concurrently.  Formal talks with political parties over reforms likely in Feb: Rizwana Regarding Bangladesh's water rights, the adviser reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its interests over shared rivers. With the Ganges treaty set to expire soon, she announced that efforts to extend it until 2026 were underway, with discussions planned with India. On the matter of the Teesta master plan, Rizwana raised concerns about public understanding of the plan. She asserted that consultations with local people would be held starting next month to ensure their concerns were reflected in the plan, irrespective of its specific title. Taskforce to work with time-bound action plan to address air pollution : Syeda Rizwana Lastly, responding to a question about the ongoing efforts to bring Sheikh Hasina back from India, Rizwana said that the Indian position, based on available information, indicated that she would not be returned. An official response will be provided once received.

Rooftop gardens are vital for ensuring chemical-free food and improving air quality in urban areas, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Sunday. Turning Dhaka's rooftops into green spaces can reduce carbon emissions, regulate temperatures and enhance air quality, offering residents a healthier environment, she said at a seminar titled “Importance of Rooftop Gardens in Reducing Global Warming” held at the Jatiya Press Club. Rooftop gardens not only benefit the environment but also contribute to mental health and food security, said the adviser. Govt finalises plan for Swatch of No-Ground to protect marine biodiversity: Rizwana Dispelling concerns about structural risks, the adviser described fears of roof collapses as misconceptions. “Rooftop gardens are an effective solution in the fight against global warming," she said, adding that the government has initiated various measures to promote such practices which are actively raising public awareness. The seminar was chaired by Motaleb Mashreki from Dhaka-based organisation Shekar. Special guests included Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, Greenwatch Dhaka Editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder, agriculturist Dr Mehedi Masud, rooftop gardening movement pioneer Golam Haider and National Press Club member Momin Hossain. Environment Adviser seeks Chinese cooperation in air quality management Awards and saplings were distributed among rooftop gardeners during the event and the adviser planted saplings on the Jatiya Press Club premises after the seminar.

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.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said a task force will be formed very soon and certain areas will be declared as "no brickfield zones" in a bid to control air pollution. “The government is making every effort to control air pollution. As part of this initiative, a task force will be formed very soon that will work until the next monsoon. Besides, certain areas are set to be declared as ‘No Brickfield Zones’ (to control air pollution),” she said while speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Local Government Division conference room at the Secretariat. Govt committed to ensuring cost-effective, high-quality energy: Rizwana The meeting focused on strategies to combat air pollution in Dhaka and surrounding areas during the dry season. Recognising that air pollution cannot be resolved overnight, the meeting encouraged people to wear masks. Rizwana said old vehicles will be removed from the streets within the next six months, and police have already been instructed to restrict open trucks from entering the capital. “Sources of air pollution are being identified, and measures are being implemented. Strict steps are being taken to control dust from construction work, emissions from brick kilns, and vehicle exhaust,” she said. Final list of rivers to be published on Pahela Baishakh: Adviser Rizwana The adviser emphasised the importance of raising public awareness, enforcing laws, and enhancing monitoring systems to address the issue effectively. She instructed the authorities concerned to spray water to reduce dust during construction, cover construction materials, and use protective barriers. She stressed the need for regular use of vacuum trucks for cleaning roads, prompt road repairs, planting grass along roadsides, ensuring designated waste disposal areas, and banning the burning of waste. At the meeting, LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said initiatives will be taken to recover canals and develop open spaces as playgrounds. ‘Resolve conflicts through dialogue with govt, avoid destructive activities that can harm national interest’: Adviser Rizwana  He put emphasis on integrated efforts to improve the country’s environmental quality. The meeting decided that effective laws will be implemented to control pollution, and regular monitoring will be carried out. All necessary steps will be taken, including regular spraying of water to control dust.