Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has emphasized on the important of taking proper steps to keep river water pollution-free and flow normally, reports BSS.
“The value of rivers in agriculture-dependent Bangladesh is immense. Just as the river is being polluted due to the use of contaminated waste emitted from factories and pesticides, it is also losing its normal flow due to illegal sand mining and river governance,” she said.
She said this today while delivering a virtual speech as the chief guest at a workshop on 'Enforcement of Law with Emphasis on Human Rights and Environment in the Changing Situation of the Country' held at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s conference room.
The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, was presided over by the ministry's Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani.
The chief guest said that the environment is a valuable asset. Unplanned brick kilns and factories are polluting soil, water and air, which are having an adverse impact on the environment.
“Due to environmental pollution, the average life expectancy of people is decreasing too, which is very worrying,” she said.
Regarding safe food, she said, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural land is a threat to safe food. Therefore, farmers should be made aware of the use of organic fertilizers and moderate pesticides in agricultural land in food production.
Regarding eco-tourism, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, there is a huge potential for eco-tourism in the country’s northern region. Polythene destroys soil fertility and has an adverse impact on the environment.
She directed the authorities concerned to conduct a vigorous campaign to ban the use of polythene and close the polythene factories.
Bangladesh Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Tajul Islam, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam and Special Prosecutorial Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs Advocate Ehsanul Haque Samaji addressed the workshop as special guests.
The special guests in their speeches expressed their views on the implementation of the law, including the importance of human rights and the environment in the changing situation of the country.
The Judges, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and government officials from eight districts of Rangpur division and local journalists were present at the workshop.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
