Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said 78% of the ministry's 100-day priority action plan has been successfully implemented.
"Out of 28 declared priorities for institutional capacity building, pollution control, waste management, environment and biodiversity conservation, and combating climate change, 22 have been fully implemented and 4 partially. If partial implementation is considered, the success rate stands at 85 percent. The implementation work for the remaining two priorities is ongoing," said the environment minister.
He provided this information during a press briefing held on Thursday (4 July) in the meeting room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The briefing was attended by ministry officials including Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Paduni) Tapan Kumar Biswas, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr. Abdul Hamid, and Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Gobinda Roy.
The minister highlighted various initiatives taken to enhance the institutional capacity of the Ministry and its departments through updates to the organogram and the use of artificial intelligence and smart technology for effective monitoring.
Approval processes for some procedural matters are still underway. Significant actions have been taken to address pollution from various sources, including the inspection of at least 581 brick kilns across the country to prevent air pollution. Efforts are also being made to update the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006.
Saber Chowdhury mentioned the formulation of the 'National Solid Waste Management Framework' and initiatives to address plastic pollution, including compiling a list of single-use plastics and collecting primary data. The draft of 'Extended Producer Responsibility' has been finalized to manage waste generated by manufacturers and importers effectively. Smart technology will be used for online monitoring to ensure the effective operation of industrial plant ETPs, and the Secretariat is being declared free of single-use plastics. Instructions have been issued to all ministries, and two single-use plastic-free school campuses have been established in each division to prevent environmental pollution.
The minister also announced initiatives to integrate environmental, forest, and biodiversity conservation into school and college syllabuses to raise awareness among young students. Mapping of hills, hills, and natural reservoirs across the country is underway, and efforts are being made to simplify the process of granting environmental clearances. Actions have been taken to categorize industrial establishments and projects based on their activities and potential environmental impact.
The proposal for the evacuation of 51,007 acres of encroached forest land has been sent to district administration, with a previous proposal for the rescue of 187,000 acres of encroached forest land also in progress. Compensation policies for environmental polluters have been revised, and an online case management system has been launched for proper monitoring of High Court judgments on environmental protection.
The minister further highlighted the finalization of the 'Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership' and the organization of the NAP conference in April 2024. Guidelines for screening proposals under the Climate Change Trust Fund have been formulated, and a project has been initiated to secure financing from the International 'Loss and Damage Fund.'
Efforts are also being made to create a 'partnership framework' with development partners, NGOs, and CSOs on environment and climate issues. Coordination across ministries and society is being enhanced to implement a 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach. A proposal was sent to the Finance Department and the National Board of Revenue to include the 'Clean and Green' theme in the budget, and this initiative will continue in the next financial year. The revised roadmap for using 100% blocks in government construction to control air pollution and protect agricultural land could not be finalized. However, a draft strategy for the implementation of the 'Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan' is being finalized.
Although the draft action plan to reduce the production and use of single-use plastics has been formulated, it has not been finalized. An initiative to start two Zero Waste Villages in one division for better waste management is also underway.
The minister sought cooperation from all sectors in controlling environmental pollution, protecting forests, and combating climate change, assuring that the ministry will continue to take steps according to business rules.
