Published by the Unnayan Shamannay, the study report titled 'Janaprotibedan 2002-2003: Bangladesher Poribesh' was launched at the National Press Club in the city. It is the Bengali version of the 'People's Report 2002-2003: Environment of Bangladesh'.

Noted economist Dr Atiur Rahman, M Ashraf Ali, Farook Chowdhury and Mahboob Chowdhury edited the book.

The report, published with the support of Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP) under the Department of Environment and UNDP, highlighted the problems of urban areas, specially Dhaka city, and suggested ways to solve those.

According to the report, people have identified several major environmental problems -- bad smell in the air due to flaws in waste management, deforestation, lack of safe water, lack of navigability of the rivers, waterlogging and pollution due to smoke.

The people also suggested some remedial measures such as private-public partnership, usage of alternative source of water and fuel and fish cultivation in open lake, the report said.

Unveiled the cover of the book, Environment Secretary Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury said, "It is not possible to tackle degradation of the environment immediately as the workforce in the ministry is inadequate. Mass awareness can play an important role in protecting the environment."

Director of Unnayan Shamannay Naeem Hasan moderated the programme. Chairman of Unnayan Shamannay Dr Atiur Rahman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Shireen Kamal Sayeed, Environmental scientist and photographer Noazesh Ahmed and Programme Coordinator of PMU-SEMP Babar Kabir also spoke.