CS Karim for coordinated steps to combat air pollution in S Asia
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Adviser for Agriculture, Environment and Forest CS Karim urged Wednesday the South Asian countries to take coordinated steps for combating air pollution, reports BSS.
" A single country initiative can't prevent air pollution as it also affects the neighbours," he said while inaugurating a regional workshop on "Impact of Air Pollution on Crops" at LGED Bhaban.
Department of Environment (DoE) organised the workshop with help of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), Sri Lanka and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden.
Chaired by DoE DG Khandoker Rashedul Huq, the inaugural function was also addressed, among others, by Environment and Forests Secretary AHM Rezaul Kabir, UNEP Representative Mylva-kanarn Lyngarasan and SEI Representative Lisa Emberson.
Putting emphasis on technological development including setting up of database, the adviser opined that only regional and international initiatives could prevent air pollution.
Air pollution was a dangerous threat to crops, environment and ecology, he said adding about five lakh people died every year in Asia eating polluted crops.
Today's workshop was held in line with the Male Declaration, which was signed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The workshop was participated by representatives from the host Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Iran.
" A single country initiative can't prevent air pollution as it also affects the neighbours," he said while inaugurating a regional workshop on "Impact of Air Pollution on Crops" at LGED Bhaban.
Department of Environment (DoE) organised the workshop with help of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), Sri Lanka and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden.
Chaired by DoE DG Khandoker Rashedul Huq, the inaugural function was also addressed, among others, by Environment and Forests Secretary AHM Rezaul Kabir, UNEP Representative Mylva-kanarn Lyngarasan and SEI Representative Lisa Emberson.
Putting emphasis on technological development including setting up of database, the adviser opined that only regional and international initiatives could prevent air pollution.
Air pollution was a dangerous threat to crops, environment and ecology, he said adding about five lakh people died every year in Asia eating polluted crops.
Today's workshop was held in line with the Male Declaration, which was signed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The workshop was participated by representatives from the host Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Iran.