DoE to give nod before cutting state trees
Says minister
State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said felling state-owned trees might require permission from the Department of Environment in future.
A proposal in this regard has been sent to the cabinet recently, he said.
“As things stand, one does not need authorisation from the Department of Environment to cut state-owned trees. To warrant a permission to cut the tress, a proposal has already been sent to the cabinet,” said Dr Hasan Mahmud.
The minister told a view exchange meeting with journalists at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
Giving his views on the backlash towards ship breaking, Hasan Mahmud said as driven as one can be to preserve the environment, one should never forget the country's economy.
You need to strike a balance between demands of the campaigners for environment and the advocates of the industry a common ground where both party will gain something, he said.
“We are holding dialogues with all the stakeholders and experts for suggestions and recommendations for a comprehensive ship breaking policy,” said Hasan Mahmud.
Striking a balance is also important in choosing the location for the country's next international airport, the minister said, but this time the balance should be between positive and negative impacts.
“Regardless of where the new airport is built, there will be negative environmental impacts,” he said. “So, it needs to be ensured that the positive impacts outweigh the negative ones.”
The minister said the process of setting up environment courts in all districts in the country has begun.
A total of 280 environmental cases were filed in the last two years compared to 150 cases filed during the period from 2002 to 2006, he informed the journalists.
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