United News of Bangladesh

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday ordered stronger enforcement, institutional capacity, transparency and accountability in environmental regulation, warning against ‘faulty clearances’ that jeopardise Bangladesh’s natural resources. Speaking at a World Bank seminar titled ‘Strengthening Environmental Regulatory and Enforcement Capacity for a Sustainable Bangladesh’ in Sreepur, Gazipur, Rizwana pressed officials of the Department of Environment (DoE) to act ‘creatively and fearlessly’. “Enforcement is not just about fines. It must include transparency, alternatives and community empowerment,” she said. The adviser urged the DoE to prioritise pollution hotspots such as dyeing units, cement plants and brick kilns. “We must focus on the worst polluters with proper budgeting and planning. Publish the names of polluters online. With information accessible, citizens will support enforcement against political pressure,” she said. Rizwana condemned the approval of site clearances in ecologically sensitive areas, citing the example of waste-dumping projects in flood flow zones. “Such clearances are irresponsible and legally flawed. Even under political pressure, officials must send objection letters. If you cannot perform your duties, then be transferred — but do not compromise the environment,” she warned. The adviser pressed for full transparency in the clearance process, calling on the DoE to publish Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for all red-category industries and include public objections in decision-making. Warning against ‘rewarding polluters’, Rizwana highlighted a ceramic factory that had won a national award despite repeated fines and a lack of clearance. “Polluters must be exposed, not celebrated.” Adviser Rizwana stresses stronger enforcement, end to faulty environmental clearances The adviser proposed digitising complaint handling, creating a mobile app to track enforcement, and strengthening collaboration with local administrations to tackle forest encroachment and illegal industrial operations. Among those addressed the event were Jean Pesme, Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the World Bank; Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, former Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Museum of Science and Technology; Nafisa Arefin, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur; AKM Rafiqul Islam, Project Director of the BEST project; and Bushra Nishat, Environment Specialist at World Bank Bangladesh.

Environment Aviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday urged the youth to steer clear of greed, the lure of power, financial irregularities, and corruption, and instead dedicate themselves to serve the nation. She made the call while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Manifesto Talk: Youth, Environment and Climate"at the Department of Environment in the capital. No scope for national election to go beyond  June next year: Rizwana Rizwana Hasan also formally inaugurated the Youth Climate Coalition during the event, said an official release. Calling for united action among young people to address the growing risks of climate change, she said, “Young people must work together to combat the challenges posed by climate change.” She said the government has taken three major initiatives—removal of outdated buses, introduction of electric vehicles, and a ban on establishing new brick kilns around Dhaka. The adviser said, “We want development, but not at the cost of nature. Filling up wetlands, cutting hills, and negligence in waste management must not continue. Development must be planned with respect for nature.” “Environmental protection is not the government’s responsibility alone; it’s everyone’s. Use jute or cloth bags when shopping. Safeguarding the environment is responsibility of all, not an individual one.” She proposed three model waste management projects for the north and south city corporations and emphasized the need for sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable methods. “Single-use plastics must be banned without delay,” she asserted. She warned that the fires caused by waste piles in Aminbazar and Matuail pose serious public health threats. “These fires are increasing the risk of lung cancer for nearby residents. This issue must be addressed urgently,” she said. She stressed that old trees must not be cut in the name of road expansion. “Development plans must include tree preservation. The Forest Department and Public Works Department are working together to redesign the museum layout to save existing trees—this is a message of hope.” Others who spoke at the event included Mohammad Ejaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation; Ziaul Haque, Director of the Department of Environment; and Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Professor at Stamford University. Govt formulating plans to prevent further damage to rivers: Adviser Rizwana More than 300 young climate activists participated in the programme.  

Amid the speculation over the resignation of the chief adviser , Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the next national election will be held either by December this year or by June next year as commited by Prof Muhammad Yunus. “Shifting a day from this timeline… from our side, there is no chance,” she asserted.  Govt formulating plans to prevent further damage to rivers: Adviser Rizwana Rizwana made the remarks clearing the government’s stance regarding the election while talking to reporters after attending the “24th National Conference and AGM 2024 of the Zoological Society of Bangladesh” at Dhaka University on Friday. She said, “We are not in power, we are merely holding a responsibility. This can only be successful when everyone cooperates. When the chief adviser takes a decision, he has given a specific timeframe. Youth must play active role in environmental protection: Syeda Rizwana Hasan Addressing the general people, the adviser said, “We have come a long way through adverse situations. The reform commissions have submitted their reports. Work on political consensus over them has begun. All political parties are participating there. A timeline for the election has been given. There was one tribunal, now there is another. From tomorrow, judicial proceedings will officially begin. Our appeal was that no obstacles should arise in these matters. We want to complete these properly. We want everyone's cooperation.”  

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday underscored the need for developing the habit of using cloth and jute bags as alternatives to polythene to reduce plastic use in daily life. “Plastic use must be reduced at every level of life, and single-use polythene bags must be completely eliminated,” she said while exchanging views with students and representatives of environmental organisations at the circuit house in Rajshahi. Highlighting the environmental damage caused by plastic and polythene, she said the government has already taken various initiatives to encourage people to shift towards sustainable alternatives, said an official release. She said public engagement is key to achieving success in this regard. Expressing concern over the ongoing trend of filling ponds, canals, and other water bodies amid urban expansion she stressed the importance of preserving natural reservoirs for water conservation and maintaining the groundwater level. Calling on the youth to embrace an eco-conscious lifestyle, the Environment Adviser said, “Every small step we take can lead to big changes.” Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhtar, BAPA General Secretary Alamgir Kabir, and representatives from various environmental organisations, along with students, journalists and government officials, attended the event. Social movement crucial to tackle noise pollution: Adviser Rizwana The participants stressed the need for enhanced awareness-building activities at the local level to promote environmental protection. Rizwana also instructed the Deputy Commissioner to take necessary steps to restore ponds and water bodies in the district and assured the government support in the process.    

The government is working to produce wooden products as an alternative to single-use plastics, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources. Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), under the Environment Ministry, will manufacture various wooden products using eco-friendly technology, she said while addressing a discussion with officials and employees of BFIDC in Chattogram. Govt to boost research into environmental protection: Adviser Rizwana She also emphasised the need to enhance expertise in sustainable wood production and processing to ensure the proper utilisation of forest resources. She stressed that BFIDC should focus on research to establish sustainable management, as the responsible use of renewable resources will shape the future of the forest industry. BFIDC Chairman Md Nasir Uddin, Chattogram Regional Forest Conservator Molla Rezaul Karim, Bangladesh Forest Academy Director Md Aminul Islam, BFIDC General Manager Jahan Ara, Chattogram Rubber Division General Manager AM Shahjahan Sarker and other officials were present at the meeting. They discussed the challenges and potential of the forest industry, highlighted the need for policy support from the government and shared their opinions on future initiatives. Earlier, Rizwana visited the BFIDC industrial unit at Kalurghat, Chattogram. Later, she visited the Forest Academy in Chattogram and instructed the relevant authorities to provide updated training to forest officials.  

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners to assist Bangladesh in making a successful example of river restoration . Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "River Restoration: Lessons for Bangladesh", held at Pani Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday, she highlighted that even polluted rivers can be transformed into sources of drinking water, as seen in different countries. She stressed the need for restoring entire river connection systems instead of focusing on isolated rivers, saying, “Chromium pollution from tanneries is a major challenge for the Buriganga River.” She called for immediate, practical actions instead of drafting policies and plans and proposed a clear action plan, backed by ADB, utilising institutions like the National River Protection Commission, the River Research Institute, and the Institute of Water Modelling. Shipbreaking must not continue at the expense of human lives: Rizwana Announcing the formation of a task force, she pledged to reclaim and decontaminate at least one river with ADB's support. She said, “The ongoing revision of the 1999 Water Policy and the Delta Plan will serve as a framework for future river restoration. The Water Resources Planning Organization (WRPO) has already prepared an action plan for restoring rivers in the valley.” “The Department of Environment’s director general has been instructed to issue notices to polluters, and the government has expressed readiness to assist industries in implementing pollution control measures,” she added. Youth rally at CU: Crisis won't be resolved if investment in renewable energy not increased quickly  Additionally, Rizwana Hasan mentioned that the government has compiled a complete list of river encroachers and called for effective steps to prevent plastic pollution in rivers. She pointed out that traditional dredgers cannot remove plastic waste from riverbeds, necessitating specialised equipment and urged the formation of a working committee, led by the Ministry of Water Resources and including relevant ministries and experts, to address these issues. The seminar was chaired by Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Govt launches cleaning drive to protect St. Martin’s ecosystem Key attendees included Mohammad Ejaz, newly appointed administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation; Hoe Yun Jeong, ADB’s resident representative in Bangladesh; and Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and greater accountability in Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry. Speaking at a workshop on the National Regulatory Framework for Ship Recycling and Hazardous Waste Management in Bangladesh, held on Sunday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, she warned that without urgent reforms, the country risks becoming a global dumping ground for hazardous waste. Highlighting the human and environmental costs of the industry, she stressed that shipbreaking must not continue at the expense of human lives. The adviser urged the authorities to strictly enforce High Court directives prohibiting shipbreaking on tidal beach areas, asserting that these rulings must be integrated into national regulations. "We cannot justify keeping this industry alive if it fails to meet global safety and environmental standards. I am willing to work with the Ministry of Industry to develop regulations that protect Bangladesh from becoming a toxic waste dump and safeguard our workers from unknown hazards. The directives of the High Court, upheld by the Supreme Court, cannot and must not be ignored," she added. She also drew attention to the dangerous working conditions in the shipbreaking industry, where workers are often exposed to life-threatening hazards without adequate protection. She compared shipbreaking to Bangladesh’s garment sector, pointing out a stark difference: "In the garment industry, foreign buyers ensure that labor standards are met. In contrast, shipbreaking owners evade their legal responsibility for cleaning up hazardous waste, sending ships to Bangladesh under false certifications." She emphasized that the issue is not merely about ships carrying waste but about the toxic materials embedded in their structures—materials that Bangladesh lacks the capacity to safely manage. The Adviser also questioned why Bangladesh, which sources most of its iron demand through billets, must continue relying on shipbreaking for a fraction of its iron supply despite the severe risks involved. She criticized weak regulations that allow hazardous waste to be dumped in Bangladesh, stating, "The effectiveness of legislation in global trade depends on how all stakeholders fulfill their roles. If exporters and shipowners do not adhere to international regulations, expecting a country with weak enforcement like Bangladesh to manage the consequences is unrealistic." Syeda Rizwana Hasan underscored the need for credible legal regulations on waste declarations, warning that workers dismantling these ships remain unaware of the toxic risks they face. Shipbreaking yards should set signboards warning workers of cancer risks in multiple languages. Emphasizing the "polluter pays" principle, she argued that waste generators must be held responsible for their disposal. However, she noted that instead of enforcing accountability, the industry is being "greenwashed" and legitimized under weak regulations. Most vessels arriving in Bangladesh originate from small island states, though they were originally owned by European companies. Before being sent here, these companies change the ships' registration in a practice known as "flag of convenience", allowing them to evade legal responsibility. "Would any European country allow shipbreaking on their own beaches? Why should the standards be different when workers' lives are at stake?" she asked. The Adviser also criticised the Ministry of Industry for permitting shipbreaking despite ongoing environmental violations. She revealed that certain yards continue to operate without valid environmental clearance and noted that a serious worker injury was reported as recently as February 3rd. "Whose interests are we protecting when drafting regulations?" she questioned. "There are international laws holding polluters accountable, but in Bangladesh, shipowners and breakers control the narrative, often using regulatory loopholes to disguise hazardous practices."

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Ministry, has stressed the need for effective action against plastic pollution. The adviser came up with the remark while speaking at a conference titled "From Policy to Action: Integrated Approaches for Combating Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter in Bangladesh", as a chief guest, held at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, on Wednesday. She also clarified that the government has not banned single-use plastic items but is working to discourage their use to encourage the development of safer alternatives by local entrepreneurs. "This way, we can gradually move away from single-use plastics, for which we do not have a proper waste management system," she said. Making climate-friendly lifestyle choices isn't always easy. India learned the hard way The adviser also condemned false claims that the government has prohibited all single-use plastics, calling them "blatant lies" that create unnecessary tensions among plastic manufacturers. Highlighting the severity of plastic pollution, she remarked, "Plastic waste does not disappear; it breaks down into microplastics, which are then consumed by fish and ultimately enter our food system. This is a choice we must all make—individually, as a government, and as businesses." She stressed that Bangladesh already has readily available alternatives for most single-use plastic items and called for stronger commitments from businesses. She also criticized the hazardous working conditions in illegal plastic production facilities in Old Dhaka and emphasized the need for a structured phase-out plan. 19 canals to be reclaimed in Dhaka this year: Rizwana "An integrated approach is needed—banning is just one aspect, but phasing out, recycling, and reuse are equally crucial. The Finnish government has expressed interest in supporting us in establishing a state-of-the-art recycling facility, and we will engage in discussions with them soon," she announced. She further urged businesses to collaborate on a time-bound action plan to eliminate single-use plastics well before 2030.   Expressing concern over resistance to regulations, she strongly condemned recent attacks on Department of Environment officials attempting to shut down illegal polythene bag production units. She also stressed the need for national unity in tackling plastic pollution. "A complete ban is possible if we rise above personal interests and work together in the interest of our community and country," she said. The conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss actionable strategies for reducing plastic pollution and marine litter in Bangladesh.  

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said fishing cats and all other endangered species must be protected from cruelty as this  is not merely an issue of animal rights but a crucial step toward environmental protection. “Offenders must be held accountable and brought to justice,” she said at a discussion and award ceremony organised by the Forest Department on the occasion of World Fishing Cat Day 2025 on Saturday. “Killing fishing cats simply because they prey on poultry is unjust. If this continues, the species will face extinction. Raising public awareness is essential. Every species plays a role in nature and it is our responsibility to ensure their survival,” she said. Rizwana calls for urgent climate adaptation actions The adviser noted that Deputy Commissioners across the country are actively conducting awareness campaigns for fishing cat conservation. She stressed the need to engage law enforcement agencies while also involving genuine wildlife conservationists for more effective results. She urged the media to highlight the ecological importance of fishing cats. Besides, she called on Deputy Commissioners to promote wildlife conservation awareness in educational institutions. The adviser saud alongside legal measures, social awareness is key to fostering a culture of responsibility toward nature. “If we implement effective afforestation plans, we can overcome this crisis,” she added. Reducing air pollution time-consuming process: Rizwana The event was graced by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, as a special guest. The session was presided over by Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests. Speakers included Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, wildlife expert and former Principal Wildlife Specialist at Dubai Safari Park, and Mukit Majumder Babu, Chairman of the Nature & Life Foundation. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. M. Monirul H. Khan, Professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University. Other speakers included Md. Fazle Rabbi, Lecturer of Zoology at Dhaka University, among others.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has condemned the attack on Md Shawkat Ali, a director of the Department of Environment (DoE), during an anti-polythene campaign, assuring strict legal action against the perpetrators.  The adviser visited Shawkat Ali’s residence to inquire about his health and discussed his treatment with his family on Tuesday. She assured them of all necessary support, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating environmental hazards.  She emphasised that six suspects had already been arrested based on video evidence, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others involved in the attack. 6 arrested over attack on DoE official at Chawkbazar polythene factory "Obstacles will arise while working for the country's betterment, but we must continue our efforts with renewed determination," she said. She also stressed that legal actions against those involved in the illegal production and distribution of polythene will continue without compromise.