Include environment clauses in constitution
Speakers at a discussion today called for inclusion of clauses in the constitution, to conserve and improve the environment, ensure water, sanitation and energy securities.
They also stressed the need for appointing an environment ombudsman to take care of environmental rights and urged the government for consulting different civil society bodies and stakeholders for well-thought amendment for incorporation of the invironment and ecological rights into the Constitution.
They said this at a discussion on 'Environment Conservation, Water and Sanitation and Energy Security: Should be Constitutional Rights' at National Press Club organised by Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) and Knowledge Frontiers for Development (KFD).
They urged the lawmakers for inclusion of environment related provisions in the constitution. This is already enjoyed in 117 different countries, they said and added, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal have amended their constitutions to include environmental provisions and we are keen that Bangladesh should follow their example.
They also proposed amendments to a number of clauses in the Constitution including 15 a, 21 a and 31 a.
The speakers supported an amended form of Article 15 a which should read, "The State shall protect, preserve and improve the environment and safeguard natural resources, ecological diversity, biodiversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife of the country for present and future generations and ensure rights to water and sanitation and energy".
They also supported the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment proposed amendment to Article 21 a as "It is the duty of every citizen to protect environment, nature and its riches including soil, wetlands, hills, forests and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures".
The speakers also agreed to another amendment as proposed by the standing committee to Article 31 a as "Every citizen shall have the right to a healthy, sound and enduring environment".
They underscored the need for proper implementation of the Constitution after its due amendment.
Former Environment Secretary Syed Marghub Murshed attended the discussion as the chief guest while former UNESCAP Environment division chief and Director of KFD Rezaul Karim presented the keynote paper.
Presided over by FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, it was also addressed by representative of Bangladesh Environ-mental Lawyers Association (BELA) Iqbal Habib, FEJB former general secretary Arun Karmaker, FEJB members Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Mrinal K Roy, Qamruzzaman, Shamima Chowdhury, Amirul Islam Kagogi, Rafiqur Rahman, Ashish ur Rahman Shubha, Shawkat Jamil, among others.
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