ZCZC
BSS-51
MINISTER-PLASTIC
Effective steps to be taken to check stop use of polythene, single-use
plastic goods
DHAKA, Feb 18, 2021 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said the government will take effective
measures to stop the use of polythene and throw-away plastic products.
He came up with the remark while talking to reporters after attending the
15th meeting of the executive body of the National Environment Committee at
the Secretariat here.
About the committee’s decisions taken to check environment pollution,
Shahab Uddin said instructions have been given to the authorities concerned
to set up environment-friendly incinerators at hospitals to manage medical
wastes and the industries owners have been asked to install effluent
treatment plants (ETPs) at their industrial units to check water pollution.
“Effective steps would be taken to stop the use of polythene and single-
use plastic bags,” he said.
The minister said the use of blocks instead of bricks will be made
mandatory gradually to check air pollution and initiatives would be taken to
reduce tariff and give stimulus in producing blocks. “Effective measures will
be taken to increase block use,” he added.
He said apart from the enforcement activities of the Department of
Environment (DoE), an integrated initiative involving the Bangladesh Road
Transport Authority (BRTA) and the police administration will be taken to
check black carbon emitted by vehicles.
Stressing the need for checking hill cutting and conserving waterbodies,
Shahab Uddin said the natural waterbodies and ponds under different agencies
of the government must be conserved and any provision regarding filling up
waterbodies could not be incorporated in development policies.
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, State Minister for Shipping Khalid
Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Farooq, State
Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman and Deputy
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar were, among
others, present at the meeting.
BSS/PR/MRI/BZC/2020HRS