Green steps in 100 days earn public praise
DHAKA, Nov 15, 2024 (BSS)- Protecting Saint Martin from degradation and making the government offices completely free from polythene have earned huge appreciation from common people as the interim government has taken multifaceted actions plans and initiatives in the field of environment during its first 100 days since assuming office on August 8.
The initiative of declaring some areas of the city horn free zones was also appreciated as a major step in line with the people’s long expectation.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken an initiative to stop use of single-time plastic in all government offices including the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan sent demi official letter to the Cabinet Division in this regard and encourage alternative use.
In view of this, the Cabinet Division gave directives to all ministries, departments, offices and field level offices to stop using listed Single Use Plastics (SUP) and use alternatives.
Action against banned polythene has begun in different areas of Dhaka city with fining 26 institutions. Mobile courts have geared up raids against production, sale, supply and marketing of polythene across the country.
The government is working to stop use of polythene shopping bags in megamalls and chain shopping malls in the capital from November 3. Monitoring committees were set up for regular monitoring on execution of the initiative of the ministry.
Leaflets are being distributed making people aware on health risks of using polythene in their everyday life.
Campaign has been launched to curb use of polythene in ten kitchen markets in the capital.
Use, production, sale, transportation of polythene bags are banned under the Bangladesh Environmental Protection Act, 1995 (Amendment 2002).
The environment ministry’s decision to stop vehicle honking in various part of the city has also drawn much appreciation. The government has prohibited honking of vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and adjacent areas from October 1.
In January 2025, 10 streets of the capital Dhaka will be declared horn-free. Later horn free silence zones will be declared across the country.
The ministry has embarked upon a massive campaign to make people aware on environmental issue in different ways.
Bangladesh Air Force, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka Traffic, Roads and Highways, Department of Environment, APBN, Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Owners Association, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, teacher-student representatives and volunteers have joined hand to support the ministry’s initiative for environment causes.
The government has decided to fine Taka 500 for excessive horn blowing in the initial stage. The existing law will be reformed from December to January.
The Ministry recovered 700 acres of forest land, which was allocated by the previous government for setting up Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academy of Public Administration Training Institute (for Public Administration Academy) in Cox’s Bazar.
Under the National Air Quality Management Plan (NAQMP) steps were taken to stop hill cutting. Divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Mymensingh and the district administrators of 19 districts have taken steps to prevent hill cutting.
In order to boost social forestry and to sustain the creation of forest resources, an initiative has been taken to revise the existing Social Forestry Rules.
Measures were undertaken for forest conservation, biodiversity, and improvement of the quality of life of 6000 forest-dependent communities of Madhupur Shalban area.
The government has taken various initiatives to protect the country’s only coral island St. Martin’s and the tourism industry together.
St. Martin’s Island is being protected to prevent coral bleaching, including protecting the island’s nature and wildlife. The government has limited the tourism to the island to protect its natural balance and livelihood of local people as well.
An updated list of establishments has been prepared in order to free St. Martin’s Island from single-use plastic and stop construction of hotels, motels, restaurants and establishments illegally.
The entry fee of the National Botanical Gardens under the Forest Department has been rationally re-fixed.
Steps were taken to cancel the environmental clearance of Forest Department on 9466.93 acres of land in Sonadip in Cox’s Bazar district, causing damage to the environment and surroundings.