ICBEN-4 kicks off putting spotlight on a liveable earth

The 4th international conference on Bangladesh's environment (ICBEN-4) began on Saturday with the motto to gear up the environment movement to ensure a liveable earth.

Over 40 renowned environmental and social activists will attend the three-day conference from some 11 countries across the globe, including local and foreign experts, scientists, researchers and professionals.

Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) have jointly organised the virtual event.

Speaking as the chief guest, economist Prof Rehman Sobhan, chairman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said, "We have to use our skills to accelerate the environment movement and create mass awareness."

"The environment movement has laid a profound impact prompting the government to conduct eviction drives to recover the country's rivers including Buriganga from grabbers," he added.

President of BAPA Sultana Kamal presiding over the event said, "The environment movement is not just a movement to protect the environment but also a movement for the overall development of human lives and livelihoods."

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, president of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said the parliamentary committee does not support any activities that go against a sound environment.

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