Bangladesh needs  skilled and educated manpower to face various challenges and good educational institutions can make smart citizens, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Friday. “A smart society is needed to build a smart Bangladesh.  Smart citizens are needed to build a smart society.  And good educational institutions can make smart citizens,” he said . Bhola can be 2nd biggest port in Bangladesh: Industries Minister The environment minister said these things while addressing as the chief guest at an event on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Notre Dame College. He also said that ideal educational institutions like Notre Dame College can play an important role in building a smart Bangladesh as per the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. NBR  recognises BAT Bangladesh as top taxpayer Such types of educational institutions create the leadership of the society, the leadership of the country. “We have to work for the economic emancipation  of the people of our country.  Everyone should work together to build a developed, prosperous non-communal welfare state dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” Chowdhury added. 9 more wells to be drilled in Bhola to expedite local gas production: Nasrul Hamid The minister said this traditional institution has been playing an important role in the field of education and culture for 75 years. He assured the support of the government for the overall development of Notre Dame College.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Monday said the government is willing to work with the British government for the enhancement of the National Botanical Garden. "It will be made children-friendly. Conservation of vegetation and waterbodies will be accomplished in partnership with the British government," he told a meeting with a delegation, led by British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. Dr Atiur Rahman nominated for Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah Gold Medal The environment minister said: "We are keen to strengthen mutual cooperation with the British government in implementing the National Adaptation Plan and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan aiming to deal with environment and climate change challenges." High Commissioner Sarah Cook said the British government will work together with Bangladesh to protect the environment, combat climate change and ensure sustainable development in Bangladesh. BRTA harassing transport workers during driving licence, dope tests: BALTWF They focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation on environmental pollution control, combating climate change, biodiversity conservation, innovation and research, renewable energy, technology transfer, climate partnership, capacity building, waste management, sustainable development, environment and health, and resettlement of climate migrants. Increase revenue, quality of services at airports: Faruk Khan tells CAAB

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said on Wednesday that the government is determined to develop the country's environment and forests. To deal with climate change, the cooperation of international development partners like the Asian Development Bank is very necessary for the development of the country's environment and forests. The minister made the statement while the Country Representative of the Asian Development Bank to Bangladesh, Edimon Ginting, met him in his office on Wednesday. Law minister calls for swift justice delivery to reduce public sufferings At that time, Chowdhury sought the cooperation of the ADB for the overall development of the country's environment and forests. The environment minister said priorities will be set and an action plan will be formulated following the Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan. Besides, special effective programmes will be implemented to control air pollution and noise pollution. Ginting said that various programmes adopted by Bangladesh to combat climate change are followed by other countries of the world. Hasina’s return as PM was needed, says ADB’s country director He said the ADB will always stand by Bangladesh.  The ADB's cooperation in Bangladesh will continue at an increasing pace. Earlier, the minister of environment held a consultation meeting for the preparation of a 100-day priority action plan of the ministry on various issues including waste management, plastic pollution control, air pollution control, and climate change impact. Later, the minister discussed with Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam on the issues to be done to improve the quality of the overall environment including the conservation of water bodies in Dhaka city. ADB President to PM Hasina: 'Under your leadership in last 15 years, Bangladesh made extraordinary progress in all areas of development'  Among others,  Secretary of the Ministry Dr Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Joint Secretary (Environment) Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Architect Iqbal Habib and senior officials of the ministry and non-governmental organisations were also present.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said that the construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Moulvibazar’s Juri upazila will open a new horizon in wildlife conservation. The construction of the Safari Park will attract foreign tourists, create employment, and above all improve the quality of life of the people in the area.  He said that the Safari Park will be built here ensuring the safety of the people living in the area. Another bus set ablaze in Dhaka’s Jatrabari The minister said in a video message to the people of his constituency from his official residence after Ecnec approving the 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (1st phase)' project for the construction of a safari park at Lathila in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar on Thursday (November 9). He said that measures will be taken to preserve endangered wildlife of Bangladesh in this safari park.  A natural habitat for wildlife especially elephants, mechho cats, banrui, khatleji monkeys, asami monkeys, gandhakulas, maya deer, bespectacled Hanuman, bears and porcupines will be created. Ecnec nods 44 projects worth Tk 39,094 crore Opportunities for education and research on wildlife conservation and management will be created. Helpless orphans and rescued critically-endangered elephants will be treated by setting up elephant rescue centers.  Safe shelters will be developed for endangered species of wildlife such as tigers, rhinos, lions, crocodiles, gharials, para deer, sambar deer, nilgai and bears. The forest minister said that wildlife hospitals will be established for the treatment of injured and rescued wildlife and public awareness will be created about wildlife conservation. Excavation of ponds and lakes to improve habitat for aquatic and migratory birds and ensure food security for wildlife and planting of fruit trees, grasslands and various species of trees to improve habitat. Rosatom’s ‘Global Atomic Quiz’ Friday Plantation of one lakh saplings for conservation of rare and endangered plant species, construction of retaining walls on hill slopes and foothills to prevent soil erosion.  Also, the Natural History Museum and Nature Observation Center will be constructed here. The project to install a two kilometers long cable car in Madhabkunda Eco Park is awaiting Ecnec approval, he said.

Bangladesh is focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation to mitigate the adverse impact of carbon emissions,  Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin has said. Speaking at a briefing at COP26 press conference room at Glasgow on Monday, the minister reiterated that Bangladesh has been making the efforts despite being one of the least emitters in the world. Read: COP26: Time running out in Glasgow, as delegates wrangle over details He said in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) update submitted in August this year, “We have put forward enhanced emission reductions by 2030 amounting to around 90 million tons of CO2 equivalent in combination of conditional and unconditional commitments,” He, however, lamented that the global community still lacks a sense of urgency and a true commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement so that countries like Bangladesh can have a sustainable future. In this regard he said that commitment to limit the global warming to 1.5℃, NDC ambition, common timeframe for NDCs as well as decision on Long Term Finance (LTF) are not decided yet. “One crucial demand is definition of Climate Finance, which is yet to be agreed upon. There is no clear roadmap on $100 billion mobilization and new quantified goal. Urgent and adequate replenishment for Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund is also looked-for,” he said. Shahab Uddin mentioned that Bangladesh has recently scrapped 10 coal-based power plant projects worth USD10 billion. The country has also joined the global leaders’ declaration to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. Bangladesh, he said, has installed more than 6 million solar home systems in off-grid areas, and more than 4.5 million improved cooking stoves have been distributed in rural areas. Read: UNDP, BWJA seal deal to address, redress violence against women Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented clear and concrete proposals from Bangladesh and as the President of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) on November 1, the minister mentioned. Bangladesh looks forward a balanced and fair outcome at Glasgow by strengthening a “common global commitment” for leaving a healthier planet for our future generation, he said. Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Begum Habibun Nahar, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary Mostafa Kamal, delegation members Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman and Prof. Dr. Ainun Nishat were present at the briefing.

A nature-based approach is the most effective way to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and achieve sustainable development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday. Bangladesh has been putting efforts into achieving sustainable development goals, placing climate, nature and development at its heart, he said. The country has adopted a green growth strategy in its 8th Five Year Plan and Bangladesh Perspective Plan 2021-2041 to harmonise economic growth with environmental sustainability to create a climate-resilient nation, Shahab added. Read: Climate crisis no longer a looming crisis: Mia Seppo The minister made the remarks during the Fourth United Nations Environment Program Session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the Asia-Pacific held Thursday in South Korea, joining virtually from Dhaka. The government has adopted the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to achieve a safe, climate-resilient and prosperous delta by ensuring long-term water and food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability while effectively reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and building resilience to climate change, Shahab said. To cut GHG emissions, Bangladesh has revised and submitted Enhanced Updated NDCs on August 26 this year, enhancing both the unconditional and conditional contributions with ambitious quantifiable mitigation targets, he added. Read: Bangladesh, UK issue collective call for ‘ambitious action’ against climate change Shahab Uddin said Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2030, finalised by Bangladesh, has recognised the co-benefits of maximising share of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, giving importance to climate-resilient nature-based approaches of development and due consideration on Locally Led Adaptation. The country is also working on implementing its sectoral policies and action plans like Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Country Investment Plan on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, Renewable Energy Roadmap, Plastic Waste Management Action Plan, the minister said. 

Solar light posts are being installed on 28-km Juri-Baralekha road in Moulvibazar district to light up the hilly tracks and reduce road accidents, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin. The 30 watts solar lights are being installed at 373 important points from Bhuiya Bazar in Juri upazila to Chandagram Bazar in Baralekha upazila, said a media release Saturday. Read:Is solar power the solution to Bangladesh's growing energy needs The project has been funded Tk 5 crore by Climate Change Trust under the ministry of environment, forests and climate Change. Major aims of the project are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as urbanising rural areas. The minister, who is an MP from the area,  said as part of the implementation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 'Village will be City' plan, solar lights are being provided on roads in remote rural areas of the country. He also said that the widespread use of fossil fuels is increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which is responsible for global warming. To this end, the government is implementing initiatives to generate electricity using various types of renewable energy, including solar power. Read: Renewable energy: 40% target 'ambitious, but roadmap absent' “Solar power has been provided in different parts of the country with the funding of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust,” he added. Solar lights will be installed in phases in all the areas of the country, the release said.

Noise pollution in Dhaka city is now three times higher than the tolerable level, and the invisible danger is putting around 50 lakh people at health risk, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Shahab Uddin said on Wednesday. Noise pollution, considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being, has become an increasingly big issue in cities like Dhaka. People are often becoming the source of indoor and outdoor noise pollution without being aware of it, the minister said.  Also read: Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka! The minister was speaking at a virtual workshop organised by the Department of Environment on the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day 2021. From traffic noise to loud or inescapable sounds from construction sites and social and political programmes, sound pollution is impacting millions of people daily. The most common health problem causes irreversible noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), according to experts.

John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, on Friday laid emphasis on taking action without taking any mistake to deal with the global climate crisis noting that the US administration is looking for greater collaboration with Bangladesh on the issue.    “So, we know from the scientists - we must all take action,” he said seeking joint efforts to protect the countries, citizens and the future generations as no single country can solve the climate crisis today. Kerry made the remarks at a joint media briefing at State guesthouse Padma after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the same venue. “We’ve the ability to work together now in order to bring technology, research, development and finance to the table to do what we know we must do,” he said. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Saber Hossain Chowdhy, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Special Envoy for the Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller were present.  The visit underscored the US commitment to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change designed to limit global warming. Also read: US focuses on Myanmar issues; lauds Bangladesh's extraordinary generosity As part of the Paris outcome, developed countries were urged to scale up their level of support with a concrete roadmap to achieve the goal of mobilising US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries.

The government has undertaken a project involving the general people to bring down noise pollution to a tolerable level, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday.