National

Oct92024 by No Comments

Govt is working to develop understandable early warning system to avoid loss of lives and livelihood: Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said Govt is working to develop for understandable early warning system to avoid loss of lives and livelihood of people in the Natural calamities. She urged all stakeholders to actively contribute towards developing an effective hydrological status and outlook system. She emphasized that the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities are at constant risk due to climate hazards, making it essential to have an efficient early warning system.Speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop titled "Early Warning for All through Hydrological Status and Outlook System" held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, she stressed that early warnings are a vital part of building resilience. A ...

Oct82024 by No Comments

Sundarbans Tiger Population Reaches 125, an Increase of 11 Tigers, Growth Rate at 9.65%

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According to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the latest survey for 2023-24 has recorded 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. The tiger density is 2.64 per 100 square kilometers. Compared to 2018, the tiger population has increased by 11, reflecting a growth rate of 9.65%, and a 17.92% rise since 2015.In 2015, the Sundarbans had 106 tigers with a density of 2.17. By 2018, the number had risen to 114, with a density of 2.55, marking an 8% increase.The advisor further mentioned that 21 tiger cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, although they were not included in the count due to the high mortality rate among cubs. In comparison, only 5 cubs were captured on camera in the 2015 and 2018 surveys.The tiger count was determined...

Oct72024 by No Comments

Inclusion of newgen demanded to build of “Bangladesh of three zeros”

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"70% of children in the country are suffering from discrimination in every way of their lives which is a big challenge in building a prosperous new Bangladesh".Speakers louded that at a press conference organised by "Kochi Konther Asar" (KKA), an international children's organization agitating for child rights, on October 5 at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the capital.Hemayet Hossain, founder president of the organization has presided as the chief guest.Highlighting the long 48 years of activity, the leader of Kochi Konther Asar said, "In order to cope the benefits of the demographic dividend, the children and teenagers trapped in the circle of discrimination in Bangladesh must be freed. This is not possible with a single effort."In response to a journalist's question, Hemayet H...

Oct72024 by No Comments

A Clear Urban Vision is Essential to Make Dhaka Livable: Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized the need for a specific action plan to make Dhaka a livable city. She highlighted that an urban vision for Dhaka is essential. "Mega projects alone will not suffice; we need more green spaces, open areas for breathing, seating spaces, and opportunities for youth to engage in sports," she said.Speaking as a special speaker at a discussion program on Tuesday, 7 October 2024, at RAJUK Auditorium in the capital, organized on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2024, she delivered these remarks. The theme of this year’s event was, "Engaging youth to create a better urban future ."Rizwana Hasan further stressed that Dhaka must be designed for everyone. To b...

Oct62024 by No Comments

Environment Ministry’s initiative to remove buses and trucks older than 20 and 25 years respectively from roads

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In an effort to reduce air pollution, the Ministry of Environment has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), requesting the removal of buses and minibuses older than 20 years, and trucks and covered vans older than 25 years from the roads.Additionally, the ministry has urged BRTA to make emission testing mandatory when issuing fitness certificates for old diesel-powered buses and trucks.Under the leadership of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the ministry's advisor, several initiatives have been undertaken to control environmental pollution. As part of these efforts, BRTA has been requested to take steps to remove vehicles that have exceeded their economic life and to ensure mandatory emission testing for old diesel vehicles during their fitness checks.In line wit...

Oct52024 by No Comments

Meeting held in Shantinagar Market to enforce ban on polythene

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Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that a legal drive will be launched from November 1 against those producing polythene shopping bags. Teams will be formed jointly with the Department of Environment, the Department of Consumer's Rights protection, and the magistrates of the district administration. With the cooperation of the people, the government will stop the production, marketing, and use of polythene. To completely stop polythene shopping bags, buyers and sellers must ensure the use of environmentally friendly bags.Environment Secretary made these remarks as the chief guest while speaking at an exchange of views meeting with members of the Shantinagar Market Committee and the Traders' Association held at the committee's of...

Oct52024 by No Comments

Children’s Rights Without Discrimination Demanded

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The international children’s rights organization, Kochi Konther Asar, has submitted four separate memorandums to the Chief Advisor of the interim government Professor Dr. Mohammad Yunus, the UN Regional Office, UNICEF and the US Embassy in Dhaka. These memorandums called for an end to the violation of children's rights globally including in Bangladesh. The organization conducted a day-long program on Thursday to mark World Children’s Day and World Children’s Week 2024. In response to questions from journalists, Kaium Khan, Secretary General of the Central Executive Committee of Kochi Konther Asar, stated, "Children are being abused in various ways in all countries, including Bangladesh. Children in war-torn countries, in particular, are suffering from extreme violence and hardship." Ci...

Oct32024 by No Comments

Environment Advisor met Nepal’s Prime Minister

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Syeda Rizwana Hassan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources, today witnessed the signing of a 40-megawatt electricity agreement between Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) of India signed the tripartite power sales agreement at a ceremony in a Kathmandu hotel.Under this agreement, 40 MW of electricity will flow from Nepal to Bangladesh via India for five months from June to November.The ceremony was also attended by Nepal’s Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka, Bangladesh’s Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan, and Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari.In her address, Syeda Rizwana Hassan...

Oct22024 by No Comments

Recommendation to Cancel the Safari Park Project in the Reserved Forest of Lathitila, Moulvibazar

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has recommended canceling the approval of the safari park project in the reserved forest of Lathitila, Moulvibazar. A letter regarding this was sent to the Planning Commission on 2 October.The "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (Phase 1)" project was conditionally approved in the ECNEC meeting on 9 November 2023. Following the ECNEC meeting's decision, a four-member committee was formed on 21 August 2024 by the ministry to assess the project's impact on biodiversity and provide recommendations. The committee was chaired by former Chief Conservator of Forests Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, with members including Dr. Mustafa Firoz, Professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University; Farid Uddin Ahmed, former Executive Director o...

Oct12024 by No Comments

Environment Advisor Inaugurates Program for Alternative to Polythene Bags in Superstores

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has urged the public to use alternatives to polythene shopping bags, stressing the importance of stopping polythene usage to protect the environment. She called on shoppers, sellers, and the general public to comply with the government’s decision to introduce alternatives to polythene bags in superstores, effective from 1 October.Environment Advisor made these remarks while inaugurating the program for the use of alternative shopping bags at Agora and Meena Bazar superstores in the capital on Tuesday, 1 October. Rizwana Hasan emphasized that the campaign is solely focused on eliminating polythene shopping bags.She further stated that from 1 October, no one will be allowed to bring or receive po...