Concerted effort needed

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin yesterday said the Department of Environment has formulated a roadmap to build a country free of land degradation by updating the land use map and identifying the causes and indicators of degradation.

The minister said this while addressing a workshop as the chief guest. The workshop took place at the DoE office in Agargaon.

"Prevention will be possible by coordinating and working at the national and divisional levels," said the minister.

"Along with capacity building, training programmes and scientific research, initiatives will be taken to raise awareness about the financial, social and environmental benefits of sustainable land management policies," he added.

Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal, Additional Secretary (admin) Mr Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Development) Ahmed Shamim Al Razi were present as special guests at the workshop chaired by Director General of Environment Md Ashraf Uddin. Project Director, Dr Md Sohrab Ali, former secretary Prof Zahurul Karim also spoke at the event.