Resist polluters: Minister
Environment and Forests Minster Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday urged all to build strong resistance against the polluters and land grabbers to protect the country from environmental peril.
Addressing a press conference at his Secretariat office ahead of the World Environment Day, he mentioned the government initiatives to protect the environment.
Hasan Mahmud said apart from the six divisional headquarters, offices of the Directorate of Environment (DoE) have been set up in 21 district headquarters to strengthen monitoring activities to bring the environment polluters to book.
“We have enacted the Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2010 and the Environment Court Act, 2010, and also announced a number of guidelines to protect the country's environment,” he said.
The environment minister said the government has been giving more emphasis on the enforcement of these laws than at any time in the past.
“Only 20 per cent of the country's industries had Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) when we (Awami League) assumed office in 2009, but now 60 per cent of industrial units have ETPs.”
“Bangladesh is being affected by all indicators of global climate change. I think, we are the most vulnerable country in the world due to the negative impacts of climate change,” he said.
Asked about the proposed Rampal Power Plant near the Sundarbans, he said, “We have not yet given environmental clearance to set up the power plant.”
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