Environment courts at dist level on the cards
The process of setting up environment courts in all districts in the country will start after the parliament passes the proposed Environment Court Act 2010.
“The cabinet has already approved the proposed act which may be passed during the parliament's next session,” said State Minister for Environment and Forests Hasan Mahmud while speaking at the launching ceremony of a network for environmental governance at the National Press Club yesterday.
Through yesterday's programme, a network titled -- Bangladesh Network for Environmental Governance (BNEG) -- started its journey.
Experts who work for the environment were involved in preparing the environment court act, the minister said.
On July 19, the cabinet approved the draft of the Environment Court Act 2010 that provides for five years' imprisonment or a fine of Tk 5 lakh or both punishments for environment polluters. The draft act would be placed before the parliament as a bill in its next session.
“Everybody has to face punishment or compensate if they pollute the environment,” Mahmud said adding that the activities of setting up environment departments in 21 districts are underway.
BNEG objectives include promoting environmental governance as a national agenda, generating knowledge, enhance skills and expertise within the network and to share the same with similar organisations nationally, regionally and internationally. The general areas of activities of the organisation will involve research and publications, advocacy, communication, networking and knowledge management.
Vice-chancellor of North South University Prof Hafiz GA Siddiqi said it would be tough to protect the environmental disasters and risks ahead unless good environmental governance is ensured.
He hoped the new network will help the organisations work in the field to share their ideas and experiences.
Minister Mahmud also said there are some innovations for environmental protection or adaptation but other institutions often do not know it.
He expected that the network will help to share the new ideas on environment among the organisations.
M Anwar Hossain, a member of BNEG's coordination committee, presented a slide-show on 'National Resource Governance: The Case of Jalmahals' while Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh Robert McDougall was present as special guest. BNEG Steering Committee Convener Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad moderated the discussion.
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