The government has made mandatory the environmental impact assessment (EIA) before approval of any investment project, as anything having negative impact on environment is now taken into account.
At the same time, official sources said, the government also has asked for carrying out initial environmental examination (IEE) before undertaking projects.
The decision was taken at a recent meeting at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to strictly enforce the Bangladesh Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010.
A senior official at the ministry of forest and environment told the FE Sunday that carrying out EIA and IEE is made mandatory to check impact on the environment and nature from new investment projects.
He said usually feasibility study is being carried out before taking any investment project. The EIA and the IEE should be done as an additional compliance matter under feasibility study of projects.
Quoting decisions taken at the PMO meeting he said necessary changes in project design has to be brought based on EIA report.
"Besides, environmental management plan has to be executed during implementation of projects."
He also said environmental audit has to be carried out to review the adverse impact during the lifetime of projects.
The department of environment will make a list of companies having expertise in doing EIA. "Those companies will be held responsible if environment or projects experience any adverse impact due to faulty EIA report."
Officials said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while visiting the ministry of forest and environment recently, asked the officials concerned to ensure that EIA is carried out before taking any project to make investment sustainable and environment-friendly.
She said environmental issues are getting immense importance nowadays globally and it has to be followed by all.
The PMO has taken the decision of making EIA mandatory in accordance with the directive and observations made by the PM.
Secretary of the ministry Nojibur Rahman at the meeting said environment faces negative impact when industrial units and other types of investment projects are implemented.
Investment can be made sustainable by reducing adverse impacts on the environment, he said.
Director-General of the department of environment Roisul Alam Mondol said EIA report of hardly any project was found to be negative. So, making EIA mandatory for investment projects will be a correct decision.
He also said there is scope of punishment under the environment act if EIA certificate is not taken.
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