Relocation of Hazaribagh tanneries hits snag

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degradation causes losses of 5 to 6 per cent of the GDP every year.
"Virtually the GDP growth has practically halted, as the real growth is offset by the loss incurred due to pollution," he explained.
Mr Saber admitted that there were allegations against department of environment (DoE) for harassing businessmen and it should be taken care of.
About water, he said on the one hand Dhaka could not use river water and on the other its ground water level is drastically depleting.
"If the present trend continues, after 10 years the government will be compelled to declare Dhaka an abandoned city," he said.
MCCI president Abdul Hafiz Choudhury said national action programme is needed to save three rivers - The Buriganga, Sitalakhya and Turag.
All the governments have neglected the environment issues as during 1998-08 period, only Tk 26 billion was earmarked for environment improvement, he pointed out.
Mr Hafiz blamed the DoE, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, city corporations and municipalities for river pollution.
"Polluters pollute with the knowledge and connivance of the regulators," he said.
He demanded a special committee on environment in these organisations to monitor and supervise their activities.
The MCCI will also give awards to investigative journalism on pollution problems, he said.
Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam said the whole paradigm should not be seen as 'industry versus environment.'
"We have to protect the environment and at the same time industrialisation is needed to generate employment opportunities and maintain sustainable growth," he said.
He, however, said investors should not feel that they have no responsibility to check pollution.
The government should formulate 'industrial policy' in such a manner that investors cannot set up factories which pollute environment, he added.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Salam Murshedy said the investors are ready to work with the government under public-private partnership programme.
"The government should provide us the fund to set up central effluent treatment plants," he said.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Fazlul Haque proposed to set up a low-cost Bangladesh Bank environment fund where investors can get money at a rate of 2 to 3 per cent.