Tougher stance against 'environment terrorists'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said some greedy quarters are damaging the country's biodiversity and environment through their short-sighted activities.
The government has taken a tougher stance against these 'environmental terrorists' who indiscriminately cut down trees and hills, and grab lands and rivers under the shelter of the past BNP-Jamaat government, she said while distributing National Environment Medal 2010 at her office.
The premier distributed the awards among three organisations and one person for their outstanding efforts to preserve the environment and nature.
Chittagong City Corporation got awarded in the Environment Protection category, Eco Tex Limited for Environment Pollution Protection, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) for Environmental Education and Publicity and Humayun Kabir for Environment Research and Technology Invention category.
Later, the PM formally launched a campaign for electing the Sundarbans to the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
She has called upon all to vote for Sundarbans, the world's biggest mangrove forest, to include this “Natural Unique Creation” in the seven natural wonders of the world.
The Sundarbans have attracted the attention of the world for its unique natural and wonderful beauty, she said.
If this mangrove forest gets elected into the world's seven natural wonders, it will ultimately bring extraordinary laurels for Bangladesh, she added.
The premier asked the Department of Environment (DoE) to take stern action against those industries, which haven't installed effluent treatment plants (ETPs) yet.
“The degradation of the environment will not be tolerated for a person or quarter,” she said.
The government has made it mandatory for all industries to install ETPs to avert environment pollution, she added.
Hasina noted that at present only the divisional headquarters have the office of DoE. “Within a short time we will open DoE office in 21 districts and gradually it will expand to all districts,” she said.
The government has always been sincere in conserving natural beauty and resources like forests, hills, rivers and water lands, she said.
Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, she mentioned.
She regretted that the country's huge coastal lands have been inundated by saline water, seriously hampering agricultural activity there.
She also said population growth, indiscriminate harnessing of natural resources, earth filling, reduced navigability, and usage of pesticides and chemical fertilisers are also pushing bio-diversity to the brink.
She underscored attaching importance to the conservation of the environment and bio-diversity for sustainable national development.
The premier also directed the authorities concerned to implement necessary acts and regulations along with increasing awareness among the people about preservation of the environment and bio-diversity.
Hasina said her government has plans to build up echo tourism centring the Sundarbans, which will contribute to the national economy creating job opportunities for Bangladeshis and attracting tourists from both home and abroad.
The government has already formulated Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009 and a Climate Change Trust Fund allocating 700 crore taka to face the challenges of global warming, she said.
Besides, the government has also taken up plans to build up forests in twenty percent of the country's total land by 2015 along with enhancing capacities of saving costal lands from tidal surge and cyclone.
State Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud, among others, spoke on the occasion.