Environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday instructed the department concerned to publish the environmental impact assessment report on the red category industries on the department鈥檚 web site for public opinions.
鈥楥onsider public opinions before issuing environmental clearance for the hazardous industries,鈥� Rizwana told the Department of Environment officials.
The Environmental Conservation Rules 2023 recognises 72 types of industries and projects, including ship breaking yard, fossil fuel-run power plant, tannery, combined textile mill and the manufacturing of heavy metals, as hazardous.
Rizwana came up with the instruction while speaking as the chief guest at the closing of a training programme at Sripur in Gazipur, said a press release.
The World Bank supported the training programme titled 鈥楽trengthening environmental regulatory and enforcement capacity for a sustainable Bangladesh鈥�.
The adviser called for strong action targeting major sources of pollution, such as dyeing factories, cement plants and brick kilns.
Rizwana said that the most polluting industries must be identified and dealt with through strategic measures besides enforcement of environmental laws.
Regarding political pressure on the Department of Environment officials, she said, 鈥楨ven if there is political pressure, you must raise objections. If you cannot carry out your responsibilities, ask for a transfer but do not compromise on environmental protection.鈥�
She also emphasised the importance of digitising the complaint resolution process with mobile app-based tracking systems and enhancing coordination with the local administration.
World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Jean Pesme, former director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Museum of Science and Technology Mohammad Munir Chowdhury and Gazipur district deputy commissioner Nafisa Arefin, among others, also spoke at the event.
Later, the adviser distributed certificates to the trainees from across the country, the press release added.