Ministry unable to deal with environment issues: Experts
Though the environmental pollution has emerged as a major issue, the Ministry of Environment and Forests appears unable to take the lead role in dealing with the alarming incidents of pollution and enforcing the existing laws of the land, said environment experts.
Talking to the news agency, Prof M Shahidul Islam of Dhaka University's Geography and Environment department, environment expert Dr Atiq Rahman, ex-additional director general of DoE Md Shahjahan, Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) Chairman Abu Naser Khan and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) General Secretary MA Matin, observed that the ministry still can play a vital role in using its existence capacity to control environmental pollution with its sincerity.
Prof Shahidul Islam said the main role of the ministry is to protect the environment and ensure development and identified the ministry's lack of manpower, competence, strong monitoring and coordination with other agencies as the main barriers.
Existing laws are enough to check environmental problems, he said.
Dr Atiq Rahman said the Environment Ministry and the relevant agencies, have so far could not take a coordinated policy to address many environmental problems.
He suggested taking integrated plans alongside carrying out an awareness campaign to free every ward of the city from environmental pollution.
Md Shahjahan said the government should properly empower the ministry and DoE as a regulatory body and enforce the laws.
Abu Naser Khan said, “With proper training, the ministry can diminish the environmental pollution using its existing manpower and capacity."
He said the ministry should work in coordination with relevant ministries, including industries and commerce ministries, and agencies like Dhaka Wasa, city corporations, BRTA and Dhaka Metropolitan Police, to check pollution and enforce laws.
MA Matin said, “Environment Ministry doesn't get enough budgetary allocation and due attention to play a strong role."He said the government should strengthen the “Paribesh Adalat” (Environment Court), to punish all environment offenders and criticised the political parties for not talking about this issue.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Forests Abdullah Al Islam Jakob said their ministry is doing very well in managing environmental problems despite some limitations.
He said they are also taking various steps to overcome shortcomings, including manpower shortage, for playing a stronger role in conserving environment.
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