BD to be a \\\'developed country\\\' soon

Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju has expressed the hope that the country would be a developed nation soon as it has achieved tremendous success in many sectors after the Independence.
"We will turn into a developed economy soon as every sector of the country is progressing fast," he said, while addressing a function organised by German Development Cooperation and the Department of Environment at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city Sunday, reports BSS.
Marking the occasion of successful installation of 5,00,000 Bandhu Chulas (improved and environment friendly cooking stoves), a colourful procession was also brought out prior to the discussion.
The minister said except the seven to eight per cent people enjoying gas supply facilities, the main source of cooking fuel of whole rural people is wood.
So, he said, the people should use the improved stoves like Bandhu Chula for protecting trees and environment. He said the government is contemplating to introduce coal based gas supply to meet the increasing demand.
Deputy minister for Environment and Forest Abdullah Al Jacob, managing director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Didarul Ahsan and ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany Dr Albrecht Conze also spoke on the occasion.
Bandhu Chula installations were done under the "Sustainable Energy for Development" (SED) programme implemented by the German Implementing agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). In 2012, Bangladesh Climate Trust, Department of Environment and GIZ jointly undertook the project "Market Development Initiative for Bandhu Chula," which aimed at installing 5,00,000 Bandhu Chula throughout Bangladesh with the long term goal of replacing the traditional stoves.
"This improved stove saves fuel, prevents indoor air pollution, protects health of the users and serves the environment b reducing g greenhouse gas emissions," said project director Dr Engineer Khalequzzaman while presenting his keynote speech at the function.
Environment and Forests secretary Shafiqul Rahman Patwari presided over the programme.