Will devote all my strength to protect the environment

In Bangladesh, and indeed anywhere in the world, the journey of change is never easy. I am well aware that we will have to fight against many adversities, just as we have done before. In a country like ours, where the indicators of the rule of law are quite low, the task is certainly risky. However, we are confident that we can overcome these risks because we have the support of the mainstream population. Alongside the backing of a large number of people and the mainstream media, the international community is also watching over us. We want to confront these challenges with the strength we derive from the people. My goal is to set an example by taking effective measures to control various forms of pollution.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will be transformed into a more citizen-friendly ministry. While we may not be able to completely eliminate river pollution, we will prioritize working on the most heavily polluted rivers. Urgent measures will be taken to prevent the illegal occupation of national heritage wetlands and rivers. As part of this, we will focus on evicting illegal structures from Arial, Chalan, Belai, and Basila Beels. I will visit Arial Beel at the end of August, along with the housing and public works adviser. Additionally, timely repairs of embankments in haor areas will be undertaken to minimize crop damage. We must stand against those who want to monopolize natural resources like coal, gas, land, and water bodies, or who destroy them through pollution in the name of development.

I will prioritize ensuring people’s right to water by controlling river pollution, and work will begin on this issue immediately. A list of endangered rivers, including Buriganga, Balu, Baral, Piyain, Dawki, Someshwari, Magra, and Karotoa, will be prepared, and harmful structures will be removed from these rivers. Recommendations will be made to regulate or prohibit the extraction of sand and stone from rivers. We will ban the use of polythene. Efforts to prevent riverbank erosion will be intensified, and we will work to establish the rights of our people over international rivers.

If any officer engages in corruption, irregularities, or negligence while performing their duties, exemplary legal action will be taken against them. We will ensure the free flow of information to establish good governance and transparency. I am also considering involving students in various ministry activities. We will soon hold discussions with various stakeholders. We need time; it is not possible to achieve everything in a day. We will work hand in hand with journalists. We will identify the sectors most affected by climate change and take action accordingly. Restoring clean air to the country is my primary goal. We will work to protect the forests by eliminating irregularities.

I have worked my whole life to protect the environment and have fought legal battles. Now that I am in charge of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, I will devote all my energy to this sector. I will ensure that foreign funds received due to climate change are used in the most appropriate ways. I will eliminate those identified as destroyers of the environment. Illegal brick kilns will not be allowed to operate, and raids will be launched soon.

I will prioritize the implementation of Supreme Court orders regarding the protection of the environment and ecosystems, including stopping the use of polythene and single-use plastics, controlling air pollution, eliminating noise pollution from vehicle horns, preventing river pollution, improving waste management practices, conserving hills, protecting forests, and preventing the filling of water bodies. We will continuously consult at the national and divisional levels with international and national organizations, civil society, the media, the private sector, academics, professionals, and other stakeholders to increase their involvement in the ministry's activities. I will regularly convene meetings of the National Environment Committee to make important decisions on environmental conservation. To ensure transparency and accountability as per the expectations of the people, ministry and department decisions will be regularly updated on our website.

With the relocation of the tannery industry from Hazaribagh to Hemayetpur in Savar, the pollution of Buriganga, once known as the lifeblood of Dhaka, has decreased somewhat. However, this relocation was not an easy task. It took over a decade and a half of legal battles to achieve this success, and we must sustain it.

We file lawsuits when the government fails to act in the public interest. Now, we find ourselves sometimes suing the government even when it is acting with foreign funding, as such actions occasionally conflict with public interest. In doing so, we often face risks. We have even had to file habeas corpus petitions to protect those at risk for filing public interest lawsuits. Those who file these cases must ensure that they are driven by genuine public spirit. Filing such cases often requires thorough research, and foreign development partners also fund this research. Cases are being filed on various issues, including women's rights, hill conservation, stone extraction, wildlife protection, anti-corruption, land rights, and child rights.

From BELA, we filed a case which resulted in a directive to relocate the tanneries from Hazaribagh to Dhaleshwari. Several orders followed that case, as the same practices continued in Dhaleshwari. Despite the verdict in 2009, it took us until 2016–2017 to achieve the establishment of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), and even today, it is still not fully operational. This issue must be resolved.

When a matter of public interest remains stalled for a long time, that's when we have to approach the courts. However, our primary goal should be to prevent wrongdoing in the first place. We now have the Right to Information Act, but when we seek information from the relevant authorities, we do not always receive accurate information. I will work to ensure that this no longer happens. We all must work together to protect the soil, water, and air of our country, because only then will the nation and its people thrive.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources