Adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Sunday that high court directives on environmental protection will be implemented on a priority basis.
"To prevent the use of polythene and single-use plastics, checking air pollution, noise pollution caused by car horns, taking initiatives to check river pollution, developing waste management, protecting hills, preserving forests, saving water bodies should be addressed implementing high court orders," Rizwana said at her first view exchange meeting held with the officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
She said the ministry will exchange views regularly with international and national organisations, civil society, mass media, private sector, academics, professionals and others aiming to increase the involvement of all stakeholders related to the environment.
"Opportunities will be created for student representatives to participate in the activities of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry.
Motivational activities will be implemented to increase the mobility of the officers and employees of the ministries and subordinate offices at the same time," Rizwana said.
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan vowed that her ministry would be turned into a public-friendly one, while an instance would be set by taking effective steps in checking various types of pollution.
She said an action plan will be taken and implemented in the light of the current public expectations, keeping the ongoing mandates of the environment ministry.
An initiative will be taken to speed up the complaint settlement activities of the ministry and its affiliated entities, the adviser said, adding that regular meetings of the National Environment Committee will be held to take important decisions on environmental protection.
The decisions of the ministry and its affiliated bodies will be regularly updated on its website to ensure transparency and accountability as per the expectations of the people, she added.
Rizwana said with the aim of increasing the involvement of all stakeholders related to the environment in the work of the ministry, international and national organizations, civil society, mass media, private sector, academics, professionals and others will be continuously exchanged at the national and departmental level.
The meeting was attended by the secretary of the ministry, additional secretaries and senior officials of the ministry.
Seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyrs in the students' quota reform movement, she said opportunities will be created for student representatives to participate in the activities of the ministry.
"Motivational activities will be carried out to bring pace in the activities of officers and employees of the ministry and its affiliated offices," the environment adviser said.
The environment secretary and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting. On her arrival earlier in the ministry, Syeda Rizwana Hasan was welcomed by the senior officials of the ministry.
