News Flash
DHAKA, Feb 18, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to protect the country’s rivers, hills, and forests.
She also asked them to take strict legal action against those responsible for hill cutting.
In addition, the environment adviser emphasised the importance of demarcating the Madhupur Sal Forest, eliminating illegal encroachments, and updating official records to protect reserved forests, rivers and wetlands.
She came up with the directives while addressing a session of the 2025 Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here.
Rizwana also ordered the cancellation of the Cox’s Bazar District Administration’s 51-acre housing project, which was planned on a protected forest area along a hillside near a highway.
She also underscored the need for evicting the Raja Kashem Ship Breaking Yard from forest land.
The adviser stressed identifying and conserving the century-old, heritage, and landmark trees.
She said at least one river in each district should be freed from encroachment and pollution, focusing on the importance of developing and enforcing specific guidelines to regulate tourism in coastal areas, haors, islands and forests.
Environmental clearance from the Department of Environment must be obtained before extracting sand and stones, she said, calling for the deployment of adequate magistrates for anti-pollution drives and, if necessary, for joint forces' assistance in enforcing environmental regulations.
Rizwana also instructed continuous monitoring of polluting industries and urged the authorities concerned to take wildlife-related complaints seriously.
To address human-elephant conflicts, she called for effective mitigation measures.
The adviser further directed the preparation of lists of environmental offenders, volunteers dedicated to environmental conservation, and nominees for the Environment Award and Tree Plantation Award.
About pollution control, the adviser stressed the need for strict action against illegal brick kilns and the immediate launch of crackdown programs on polythene production sites and markets.
She suggested promoting alternative solutions by engaging private organizations in producing reusable fabric bags from old clothes.
She instructed all government offices to become single-use plastic-free and emphasised launching awareness campaigns for honking horn control.
The session was presided over by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, while Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources; and the heads of relevant agencies under both ministries were present.
