Govt bans establishing industries within 10 kms of Sundarbans

The Ministry of Environment has imposed a ban on setting up any new industrial establishments or projects within 10 kilometers of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, which has been declared an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA).

This ban was issued on Monday (May 12) through a gazette notification from the Environment-3 branch, under the authority granted by Section 5 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (Amended in 2010).

However, in light of the ECA declaration, environmentally friendly and planned activities aimed at conserving the natural environment, improving environmental quality, controlling and reducing pollution, and ensuring sustainable management may be undertaken in the area.

In addition, this decision is considered an important step toward preserving the ecological balance in the ECA region surrounding the Sundarbans.