Draft Environment Law to be placed before next JS session

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FE Report
The draft Environment Law will be placed before the parliament's (JS) next session for passing it considering the present realities, state minister for environment and forest Dr Hasan Mahmud said Thursday.
"The Cabinet okayed the draft law, and it is also vetted by the Law Ministry," Mr Mahmud told the luncheon meeting of Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) at a city hotel.
He said the government would also appoint seven magistrates for enforcement of the environmental regulations.
Mr Mahmud, who did his PhD on water pollution, said the amount of surface water has decreased, although worldwide water remained the same as was 300 years ago. He noted that using water effectively is becoming more and more difficult due to the increasing population in the country.
The state minister said the government is moving ahead with a plan to introduce water-bus services soon, enabling the commuters of the Old Dhaka-Savar route to avoid traffic congestion on the road.
"It will take 45 minutes to reach Savar from Sadarghat instead of two to three hours now it takes by road," he told the audience.
DBCCI president Rakesh Mohan urged the international community to preserve the world for the next generation.
"We can't wait for the next generation to save the planet. Before it is too late, we have to ensure clean water, clean air and a clean planet for them," he said in his speech.