‘Coordinated action vital to curb pollution’
LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said coordinated efforts by all relevant ministries, agencies and local government institutions are essential to ensuring sustainable pollution control, effective waste management and environmental protection.
He made the remarks while chairing a ministerial-level meeting on waste management, water pollution and environmental pollution control at the Local Government Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu and State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam also attended the meeting.
The LGRD minister said environmental pollution has emerged as one of the country’s major challenges. He noted that rapid urbanisation, unplanned waste management, indiscriminate dumping of waste into rivers and other water bodies, and the widespread use of single-use plastics and polythene bags are placing increasing pressure on the environment.
He stressed that these challenges cannot be addressed through isolated initiatives alone, calling for coordinated and well-planned measures to ensure a lasting solution.
The minister further said that government initiatives alone are not sufficient to protect the environment. Raising public awareness and promoting environment friendly practices are equally important in this regard, he added.
He emphasized the need for taking effective measures to reduce the use of harmful polythene bags and encourage the adoption of environment friendly alternatives.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu highlighted various initiatives undertaken by his ministry and ongoing programmes aimed at environmental conservation.
He said strengthening coordination among the government institutions, alongside increasing public awareness, is crucial for protecting the environment.
The meeting held detailed discussions on water pollution, solid waste management, environmental pollution control, conservation of rivers and measures to curb the use of environmentally harmful polythene.
Among others, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam, Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Shawkat Rashid Chowdhury and senior officials from concerned ministries and the two city corporations and other relevant departments and agencies were present at the meeting.
The participants underscored the importance of strengthening inter-ministerial coordination to improve waste management, curbing of water and environmental pollution and ensure a sustainable environment.
