ZCZC
BSS-30
SHAHAB-GOVT-CLIMATE-ACTIVITIES
Govt. committed to protect the environment and climate: Shahab
DHAKA, Apr 8, 2021 (BSS)- Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said that the present government is committed to protect the environment and climate from the adverse effects of climate change.
Highlighting various activities implemented by the government for the visible development of the environment, he said that, “The government is reclaiming illegally occupied government forests, preventing deforestation, banning construction of illegal brick kilns, raising public awareness on noise pollution control and banning the use of polythene and single use plastics, to protect the environment,” said a release here.
He made the remarks while addressing a virtual coordination meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change with the divisional commissioners at his official residence here this morning.
During the meeting, the environment minister said mobile courts are being set up to monitor the use of 100% block bricks in government construction, repair and renovation works by 2025 and to control vehicle pollution.
“Mobile court are conducting operation against banned polythene and single use plastic items to control pollution especially in the coastal areas and hotels and restaurants across the country, with a view to completely banning use of plastic-polythene within a year,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of raising public awareness on prevention of flooding and flooding of rivers and streams, the environment minister said, “Regular supervision needs to be ensured for the proper management of industrial, vessel or man-made and medical wastes.”
He said that steps should be taken to raise public awareness about the negative impacts of climate change and suggested regular inspections of BCCT projects which are under implementation, said the release.
The environment minister called upon the divisional commissioners to take necessary steps for the eviction of forest encroachers, provide necessary assistance to the ongoing crash program and take legal action to recover illegally acquired forest lands and take necessary steps to properly record the forest lands.
The meeting called upon the additional divisional commissioner of Chittagong to take necessary steps to rescue the 25-30 acres of rubber plantations owned by the Forest Industries Development Corporation from the illegal occupation by the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET).
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar addressed the coordination meeting chaired by Secretary Ziaul Hasan as the special guest.
The meeting was attended by additional secretaries of the ministry, heads of departments, agencies and divisional commissioners.
BSS/PR/RQ/KU/1847 HRS