Developed countries must be blamed for degrading our environment

The 8th biennial general meeting of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) was held at the National Press Club yesterday, reports BSS.

The inaugural session of the meeting was presided over by FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury while Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury was the chief guest and special guests were Mr Mahbubul Alam, Editor of the Independent and Shafiqul Aziz Mukul, Executive Editor of the Banglar Bani. FEJB General Secretary Bakhtiar Rana delivered the address of welcome and Vice Chairman Gaziur Rahman gave the vote of thanks.

Prof Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said once the developed world had turned our country into a poor one by continuous exploitation. The open-market economy is nothing but the ideology of capitalism of the developed world, he said.

Prof Chowdhury also said, "The developed world should be blamed for degrading the environment to materialise that ideology. All of us should protest against their activities. "He underscored the need for setting up of an international court to take legal measures against the environment polluters.

He further said that the number of lanes and markets in Dhaka city is being increased diminishing green spaces and wetlands. Pressure should be created on main political parties to include green agenda in their party manifestoes, he added.

Mahbubul Alam laid stress on an organised movement to protect environment. He thanked the members of FEJB for their contribution in creating environmental awareness among the people.

Shafiqul Aziz Mukul said that at present the environment of the country is not only endangered, rather the people, engaged in protecting environment, are being threatened by some vested quarters. He regretted that not a single political party lodged any protest against such an act at present democratic age. He called upon all environment-conscious people to uphold our tradition and culture in protecting environment.

FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury said, "We will able to enjoy fresh air and pollution-free water only if we can intensify the environment movement under an ideal leadership."

At the beginning of the meeting Sardar Abdur Rahman, Rajshahi Bureau Chief of Dainik Sangram, was given the FEJB award for the best report on environment and Abu Taher Khokon, Chief Photographer of the Financial Express, for the best photograph on environment for the year 1999. Besides, a FEJB crest was presented to Prof Sirajul Islam Chowdhury in recognition of his successful leadership in the movement for saving the trees of Osmani Udyan.

The second session of the general meeting was also presided over by FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury. Bakhtiar Rana presented the general secretary's report while Hasan Hafiz presented the treasurer's report. Mahmud Shafiq, Alamgir Hossain, Giasuddin Ahmed, Shehabuddin Ahmed, Ahmed Nure Alam, Khandakar Manirul Alam, Mrinal Krishna Ray, Sarwar Jahan, Tahmina Ahmed, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Rosy Ferdous and Sheikh Enamul Haq participated in the discussion.