Environment rights groups on Saturday placed a 12-point recommendation to the political parties ahead of the February national election, putting special focus on upholding Bangladesh's rights to upstream water, safeguarding the environment and containing pollution.
Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) placed the recommendations at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city.
BAPA President Prof. Nur Mohammad Talukder presided over the press briefing while Nazrul Islam, vice president of BAPA and founder of BEN, read out the proposal.
Nazrul Islam said in his main article that without the implementation of the law, environmental protection will remain only on paper. Only the increase in per capita income cannot determine the level of the index of the quality of life of the people; the environment must be included, he observed.
Prof Noor Mohammad said the government is elected by the people; but it forgets about the environment.
The environment gets destroyed due to corruption, he said, adding parties should not give important responsibilities to those involved in environmental destruction.
The 12-point recommendation includes taking urgent steps to curb air pollution as air pollution has cut the average life expectancy of Bangladeshi people from 72.4 years to 72.3 years.
Fundamental changes need to be made in brick construction. Cement production for export needs to be stopped. Cement production needs to be ensured in a pollution-free environment to meet domestic demand.
Urgent and comprehensive measures need to be taken for proper waste management and disposal.
A negative consequence of the fence approach to the rivers is increasing waterlogging in various parts of the country. It has taken a prominent shape in Jashore-Khulna and millions of people in Bhabadah area have been living in subhuman condition for years.
Therefore, a radical change must be brought in the thinking and incentive structure of all water-related organisations, including the Water Development Board, they suggested.
Bangladesh has also pushed its coast below the sea level due to foreign organisations and consultants. This situation must be remedied.
Another important reason for the degradation of Bangladesh's rivers is the withdrawal of water from Bangladesh's rivers by India. This withdrawal must be prevented and for this purpose, the 1997 UN Convention on the Use of International Rivers must be signed and used.
Emphasis should be placed on the exploration and extraction of oil and gas resources in the country's land and water resources instead of importing them from abroad, and for that purpose, the country should rely on domestic capabilities instead of foreign companies.
The amount of forest decreased to only 6 per cent. The degradation of the country's forests must be prevented and the lost forests must be restored.
The excessive growth of Dhaka city must be prevented. To reduce traffic congestion, the public transport model must be followed instead of the 'personal vehicle-based' travel model. The railway system and the waterway system must be revived.
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