The government will kick off a major campaign against polythene next month, announced Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change. She revealed this plan after meeting with a World Bank delegation on Wednesday at the secretariat.
Rizwana emphasised the urgent need for a cultural shift, urging people to refuse polythene bags when shopping. She proposed a preliminary phase where individuals should advocate against polythene for 15 to 20 days before the official campaign begins. The exact start date of the campaign is yet to be determined due to the involvement of multiple organisations.
In addition to the anti-polythene campaign, she declared that no new brick kilns would be approved and illegal brick kilns would be addressed before the upcoming season. The government plans to take action against unlicensed brick kilns, regardless of their impact on development.
The World Bank has expressed support for various environmental projects, which are being discussed for potential budget support. Rizwana highlighted that while Bangladesh's environmental laws and policies are strong, improving implementation capacity is crucial. She stressed the importance of holding polluters accountable and addressing issues like plastic pollution, noise pollution, and river cleanliness.
Regarding air pollution, Rizwana acknowledged that it won't be resolved overnight but assured that a detailed action plan is being developed. She stated that construction projects will require air pollution mitigation plans and funds. There will be stricter measures to prevent air pollution from mega projects.
Rizwana Hasan also reiterated the government's stance against illegal brick kilns, stating that they will be shut down if found operating without licences. The government will explore alternatives to traditional brick-making and incentivize block brick production to mitigate any potential impact on development.
