Emdadur Rahman Chowdhury Zia, Sylhet Bureau:
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, has emphasized that ensuring a safe environment for future generations is a significant responsibility of every citizen. Along with knowing their rights, citizens must also be aware of their responsibilities. Sylhet is renowned for its natural resources and numerous tourist attractions. She urged the formation of spot-based committees involving social organizations to help reduce damage to biodiversity and natural resources caused by tourism. These committees will be responsible for waste management at tourist sites.
She highlighted that although Bangladesh banned polythene in 2002, poor waste management — though not directly under the ministry’s jurisdiction — is causing pollution and filling rivers, canals, and wetlands. Furthermore, microplastics are entering the human body, posing serious health risks. She instructed local government institutions (such as city corporations and municipalities) to properly enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021. She also stressed the need for training waste management workers and cleaners.
Dr. Farhina made these remarks during a stakeholder meeting held on April 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The meeting involved divisional and district-level officials, market monitoring committees, business leaders, and other stakeholders, and focused on banning polythene and single-use plastics.
Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad, the event featured a keynote presentation by Siddhartha Shankar Kundu, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He discussed government initiatives and legal restrictions regarding the use of banned polythene and single-use plastics.
Special guest Mr. Debojit Singh, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General and Revenue) of Sylhet, requested the district administration to identify and assist in the utilization of state-owned land. He welcomed the proposal to create a model polythene-free market with cooperation from market committees and government offices and announced that such efforts would be rewarded by the Ministry.
Dr. Farhina Ahmed concluded with a call to action: “To protect the environment, we must change ourselves first, and then change society.” She informed attendees that government departments — including the Department of Youth Development, Department of Social Services, Department of Women Affairs, Department of Jute, and BRDB — have been involved in awareness-building and alternative product marketing initiatives through various training programs aimed at eliminating banned polythene.
The event was attended by key figures, including Mohammad Rezai Rafin Sarkar, Chief Executive Officer of Sylhet City Corporation, Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Humayun Kabir, heads of various government institutions, media personnel, business leaders, and environmental committee representatives.
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