Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the World Bank will strengthen cooperation in Bangladesh to control pollution. After a meeting with World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Abdulai Sek, he said, the Department of Environment has been instructed to prepare a list of the country’s most polluted rivers and polluting companies. The advisor also mentioned that small scale projects would be taken up for river protection. He said that the restoration work of the canal has already started and next week the operation of saving the reservoir will start.
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan also mentioned plans to discuss Bangladesh’s rights over Teesta and other similar rivers with India. He highlighted the importance of understanding the expectations of the people of Tistapar and said that Bangladesh will establish its rights by maintaining friendly relations with India. These issues will also be highlighted in the international arena and he will not hesitate to talk about the rights of Bangladesh.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat and highlighted the main points of her discussion with the World Bank official. Referring to the government’s decision, he said that issuance of new brick kiln licenses will be stopped and strict action will be taken against illegal brick kilns. Visible law enforcement activities will begin before the brick-making season begins. Also, various measures will be taken to reduce air pollution before winter. If there is no air pollution control system, construction work will not be allowed. Transportation of construction materials including bricks and sand in open trucks will be prohibited. The drive to ban polythene will also begin from September.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed tackling ongoing and future environmental challenges, forest conservation and climate resilience. The World Bank Country Director appreciated Bangladesh’s active role in ensuring environmental sustainability and reiterated the commitment of the World Bank’s continued support to these important initiatives. Also, the World Bank will implement programs to increase environmental awareness among students. Both sides pledged to strengthen their partnership to achieve environmental and climate goals.
Secretary, Additional Secretary and other senior officials of the Ministry and World Bank officials were present in the meeting.
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