LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all relevant ministries, agencies, and local government institutions to ensure a sustainable solution for pollution control, effective waste management, and environmental protection. Speaking at a ministerial-level meeting on waste management, water pollution, and environmental pollution control at the Local Government Division, the minister highlighted the growing challenges posed by environmental pollution in the country.
Fakhrul noted that rapid urbanization, unplanned waste management, indiscriminate dumping of waste into rivers and water bodies, and the widespread use of single-use plastics and polythene bags are exerting increasing pressure on the environment. He stressed that these challenges cannot be addressed through isolated initiatives alone and require coordinated and well-planned measures.
The minister further emphasized that government initiatives alone are not sufficient to protect the environment. Raising public awareness and promoting environmentally friendly practices are equally important. He called for effective measures to reduce the use of harmful polythene bags and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly alternatives.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, who attended the meeting as the guest of honour, highlighted various initiatives undertaken by his ministry and ongoing programmes aimed at environmental conservation. He stressed the need for strengthening coordination among government institutions and increasing public awareness to protect the environment.
The meeting held detailed discussions on water pollution, solid waste management, environmental pollution control, conservation of rivers, and measures to curb the use of environmentally harmful polythene. Participants, including Dhaka North and South City Corporation administrators, division secretaries, and senior officials from concerned ministries and city corporations, underscored the importance of strengthening inter-ministerial coordination to improve waste management and curb water and environmental pollution.
