Stone lifting was banned for 4 yrs, yet I couldn't enforce it as adviser: Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser on Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources in the interim government, has expressed frustration over the failure to uphold a ban on stone lifting in Jaflong, despite her position in the government.

“Stone lifting was stopped in Jaflong for four years, but even as an adviser, I couldn’t enforce it,” Rizwana said while addressing a dialogue titled ‘Road to Green Manifesto’ at the Department of Environment in Agargaon on Saturday (July 26).

She criticized the political consensus that exists around exploiting natural resources, noting that “there is unity in stone lifting, but no unity in protecting the environment.” Rizwana urged the government to shift focus from destructive development to sustainable alternatives like ecotourism, which remain underutilized.

Calling for stronger political will, she emphasized that environmental protection should no longer be treated as a secondary issue. “The environment must be brought to the center of politics—it is a matter of national interest and public responsibility,” she said.

Rizwana also highlighted ongoing environmental threats, including climate change, river encroachment, deforestation, and hill cutting. “These crises demand immediate action; ignoring the environment is no longer an option,” she warned.

She criticized the persistent underfunding of the Ministry of Environment, noting its central role in addressing air pollution, water security, and food safety. “While cities like Beijing improved air quality by 37 percent in five years, Bangladesh must invest similarly,” she added.

The event, part of the Manifesto Talk 2025 series, was organized by the Sachetan Foundation and other civic groups. Political leaders and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz attended the event.