Industrialisation must be environment-friendly, says State Minister Faridul Islam

MUNSHIGANJ, Sept 7: Industrialisation and development must be environment-friendly, and no industrialisation that harms the environment should be allowed, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam, MP.

“We need production and industrialisation for our development. But it must be environment-friendly. We have to ensure that the environment is not harmed. Because if we cannot survive, there is no point in having money and wealth,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking to local journalists on Sunday after hearing allegations of environmental pollution and canal filling against Akij Steel Company in Gazaria, Munshiganj. He later visited the site to inspect the allegations.

The state minister took part in several programmes in Gazaria throughout the day. Later, he attended a tree-planting and sapling distribution programme at Gazaria Government Technical School and College in Baushia.

He also attended a reception for students who achieved GPA-5 in the SSC and equivalent examinations-2026 at the upazila auditorium.

Speaking as the chief guest at the tree-planting programme, Faridul Islam said, “We want a Bangladesh free from polythene and plastic pollution. There is no alternative to planting trees to naturally mitigate the impacts of climate change. Plant trees and take care of them. One day, these trees will become your assets.”

The government has already planted three crore trees across the country and plans to expand tree-planting programmes further, he said.

Munshiganj-3 MP Md Kamruzzaman Ratan, Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi, Superintendent of Police Md Menhazul Alam, PPM, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Umme Hafsa Nadia and officials from different government departments were present at the programme.