TIDBITS

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting on July 12 on two waste-to-energy projects to be implemented at Aminbazar under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and at Matuail under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

The meeting was informed that the project would make a significant contribution to improving waste management, addressing climate change and mitigating global warming. However, to expedite the implementation of the two projects, PM directed that an inter-ministerial meeting involving the ministries of local government, power and environment.

During the meeting Prime Minister emphasised the importance of completing both projects within the stipulated timeframe and ensuring the best possible use of environmentally friendly technologies.

Integrated Approach for Effective Solid Waste Management
A national seminar titled “Integrated Approach for Effective Solid Waste Management” was held on Monday, at the Department of Environment auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, to mark World Environment Day 2026.

The seminar emphasised the need for coordinated action to ensure effective solid waste management, says a press release. With the support of Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, the seminar was jointly organised by the Department of Environment and the WaterAid Bangladesh�"Swisscontact Bangladesh consortium.

Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the event as Chief Guest.
The seminar was chaired by Md Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General, Department of Environment.

Pollution, unsafe water cause over 272,000 premature deaths annually
The Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis (CEA)of the World Bank finds air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lead exposure cause over 272,000 premature deaths and 5.2 billion days of illness annually. These environmental costs were equivalent to 17.6 per cent of Bangladesh's GDP in 2019.

Household and outdoor air pollution have the most detrimental effect on health, leading to nearly 55 per cent of premature deaths, which alone cost 8.32 per cent of GDP in 2019, said the report.