Growing dissatisfaction with environment adviser’s performance
Gazi Anowar :
In recent months, there has been a significant wave of dissatisfaction on social media regarding the performance of Environment Advisor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
While she has been praised for some of her initiatives, many critics argue that her leadership has failed to bring about tangible, long-term improvements in the country’s environmental challenges, particularly in key areas like plastic pollution, noise pollution, air quality and industrial waste management.
Despite her prominent role in the country’s environmental discourse, visible improvements in environmental conditions have remained minimal, leading to growing frustration from various sectors of society.
One of the most pressing concerns is the continued use of single-use plastics.
Although the government had pledged to tackle plastic pollution, there has been no substantial action to ban single-use plastics, and the production of plastic continues unhindered.
Additionally, plastic production factories, which are major contributors to environmental degradation, remain operational, perpetuating the crisis.
The situation has worsened as polythene shopping bags continue to be sold in markets across the country, despite previous commitments to phase them out.
This ongoing issue has led to public outcry, with many questioning the effectiveness of Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s leadership in tackling the plastic waste problem.
Experts in the field of environmental science have expressed their concerns regarding the lack of tangible progress.
The current environmental advisor had done a lot of good, including protecting the capital’s Anwara Park, closing the shipbreaking industry, and demolishing the BGMEA building to protect Hatir Jheel. For this, he has also received foreign awards.
All these good deeds helped her to become an advisor, but her record of the last 6 months since taking office is leading her down the path to failure, said Dr Mohammad Muslem Uddin, Professor at Oceanography Department of Chattogram University.
For the last 20 years, she has been criticizing the government’s environmental work.
But after taking charge in the government, she has not been working with the advice of those involved in the sector. She could not give a good solution to the life and livelihood of St. Martin.
Now the people are trolling her on various social media in the light of reality, opined Professor Muslem Uddin.
M. Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive of Change Initiative and a prominent environmental researcher told The New Nation, “The government’s failure to implement effective bans on plastic production and distribution shows a lack of commitment to environmental sustainability.
The prolonged use of single-use plastics is damaging not only to our environment but also to public health. The promises made by the government are yet to materialize into actionable solutions.”
Public reactions on social media have mirrored these sentiments, with many calling for stronger enforcement of environmental laws and the immediate closure of plastic production factories.
“We are at a critical juncture,” said Nayon Sarker, a local environmental activist. “The environment can no longer wait.
The delay in action is hurting our ecosystem, our health, and future generations.”
As pressure mounts from environmentalists and the general public, it remains to be seen whether Syeda Rizwana Hasan will take the necessary steps to address the growing concerns about plastic pollution and environmental sustainability in Bangladesh.
The public is demanding visible changes and stronger action to combat the environmental challenges facing the country today.
Al Jazeera journalist Zulkarnain Saer Khan posted on Face book demanding her resignation. Similarly, prominent activist Pikani Bhattacharya also criticized her works. At the same time, Pinaki gave some advice on how to get $100 million from the Climate Fund.
