DHAKA, July 31, 2019 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin today said country’s 65.29 percent brick kilns have so far been upgraded to environment-friendly level using modern technology to minimize pollution.
The remaining brick kilns would be modernized gradually as traditional brick kilns are responsible for 58 percent air pollution, he said while exchanging views at a meeting with Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum (BCJF) at the Secretariat.
Shahab Uddin said brick kiln owners have been directed to produce concrete block bricks to cut the production of baked bricks gradually. “In future, concrete block bricks have to be produced fully,” he added.
He said the government has been implementing a project titled “fresh air, sustainable environment” to curb air pollution and under the project 16 monitoring centers in eight densely populated cities have also been set up to examine scale of air pollution regularly.
Replying to a query on dengue, the minister said mass awareness is needed to prevent dengue. “If we keep our surroundings clean, dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases would be averted easily,” he added.
About the use of polythene, he said, in the last six months the department of environment seized 126 metric tons polythene and fined the persons at fault Taka 44 lakh conducting mobile court across the country.
Awareness campaign would be conducted to encourage people to use the bags made of jute instead of polythene, he added.
Referring to sound pollution, Shahab Uddin said the government has imposed a ban on hydraulic horn. To stop the sound pollution, self awareness is also needed, he opined.
The minister sought cooperation from media to raise mass awareness to build up a green environment.
He revealed the government will plant over 1 crore tree saplings on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The minister replying to another query on forest land grabbing, said those who are involved in grabbing forestland will face punishment. “Action is being taken against those involved in illegally occupying forestland.”