Industries must take responsibility for pollution control: Environment Advisor of Bangladesh
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that industries must take responsibility for controlling environmental pollution. It is not enough to rely on the government alone; industries must work on pollution control on their own.
She spoke as the chief guest at the launch of the ‘Developing Capacity to Reduce Lead Pollution in Bangladesh’ project in Dhaka on February 27.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that, with support from international partners, especially France, the Department of Environment of Bangladesh, can now create a timely action plan. Action should be taken against polluting industries that lack environmental clearances, even if we cannot address all of them at once.
She stated that the goal is not to shut down industries, but to ensure they obtain clearances and implement rehabilitation measures. The environmental clearance should include conditions for regular rehabilitation activities so that pollution is controlled within a specified timeframe.
The environmental advisor proposed the formation of a pollution rehabilitation fund, where industries would deposit a certain amount of money. If rehabilitation succeeds, the money will be returned; if not, the government will use it for cleanup.
The advisor emphasized the involvement of local people to strengthen monitoring and implementation. He urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh, to join the multi-stakeholder steering committee to facilitate the transition from lead-based to lithium-ion batteries in tax policy.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “Doctors should also be included in this committee to highlight the health risks of lead pollution.” She also called on the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to quickly set standards for pollution control.
The program was presided over by Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, the Director-General of the Department of Environment of Bangladesh. The French Ambassador, Marie Masdupui, delivered remarks as a distinguished guest. Sheikh Saidul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Health of Bangladesh, Dr. Tahmid Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, Maya Vandenant, Chief Health Officer of UNICEF Bangladesh, Mitali Das, Executive Director of Pure Earth Bangladesh, and Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Globa, among others, spoke.
