Four satellite towns to be set up around capital: PM
Monday, 4 January 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Sunday her government planned to set up four satellite towns around the capital city besides taking effective steps to protect the city from the clutches of land grabbers, reports BSS.
She said massive programmes had also been taken to restore navigability of four important rivers -- Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Shitalakhya -- around the city by implementing capital and maintenance dredging as their existence was under threat from illegal occupation and dumping of wastes.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the 3rd International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN 2010) organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Presided over by BAPA Chairman Mozaffar Ahmed, the function was also addressed by State Minister for Forests and Environment Hasan Mahmud, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique, BAPA Vice President Nazrul Islam, Chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) and Conference Organising Committee Prof Nazrul Islam and General Secretary of BEN MA Matin.
The Prime Minister said her government had a plan to increase commuter facilities in the capital city so that people from the nearby districts could return to their homes after their office work during the day.
"Keeping this in mind, we have planned to improve train service and develop waterways to facilitate smooth transportation," she added.
Referring to climate change issue, she said her government had formed a "climate change trust fund" with its own resources considering the negative impact of global warming. She further said Tk 7.0 billion had already been allocated for the purpose.
In this context, she said steps were underway to form a "multi donor trust fund" for Bangladesh with the financial support of development partners. Besides, her government had formulated Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan to this end, Hasina said.
The Prime Minister said the government had allocated Tk 1.33 billion under its poverty reduction project for expansion of the area for forestation while a project of Tk 1.0 billion was being implemented for protecting environment in the Sundarbans, the UNESCO world heritage.
Referring to industrial waste, she said steps were being taken to make the setting up of effluent plants mandatory in all waste producing mills and factories to protect the environment.
Laying emphasis on forging integrated national unity to face environment and climate change challenges, Hasina called upon the environmental scientists to take effective measurers in this regard.
The Prime Minister said her previous government had taken a massive river-dredging programme to ensure navigability of the country's major rivers including the Gorai.
But, she regretted that the BNP-Jamaat government cancelled those projects, causing siltation in the rivers.
"Apart from the Gorai River, they (BNP government) have suspended 99 development projects undertaken by the previous Awami League government which were very important for the country," she added.
Referring to gradual decrease of arable lands, Hasina said she had already directed the authorities concerned to protect those lands and increase production.
Besides, she said her government had already directed private entrepreneurs and developers to implement their projects keeping provision of water bodies and playgrounds for the children inside their projects to protect environment.
Laying emphasis on raising social awareness on protecting environment, she said enacting law and its enforcement was not enough to conserve environment. The Prime Minister said the organisations working with environmental issues could play a vital role to raise awareness of the people.
She called upon all concerned to come forward with pragmatic initiatives along with the government to protect the country's environment and to leave a healthy and prosperous future for the new generation.
Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, environmentalists, academics and high government officials were present.
She said massive programmes had also been taken to restore navigability of four important rivers -- Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Shitalakhya -- around the city by implementing capital and maintenance dredging as their existence was under threat from illegal occupation and dumping of wastes.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the 3rd International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN 2010) organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Presided over by BAPA Chairman Mozaffar Ahmed, the function was also addressed by State Minister for Forests and Environment Hasan Mahmud, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique, BAPA Vice President Nazrul Islam, Chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) and Conference Organising Committee Prof Nazrul Islam and General Secretary of BEN MA Matin.
The Prime Minister said her government had a plan to increase commuter facilities in the capital city so that people from the nearby districts could return to their homes after their office work during the day.
"Keeping this in mind, we have planned to improve train service and develop waterways to facilitate smooth transportation," she added.
Referring to climate change issue, she said her government had formed a "climate change trust fund" with its own resources considering the negative impact of global warming. She further said Tk 7.0 billion had already been allocated for the purpose.
In this context, she said steps were underway to form a "multi donor trust fund" for Bangladesh with the financial support of development partners. Besides, her government had formulated Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan to this end, Hasina said.
The Prime Minister said the government had allocated Tk 1.33 billion under its poverty reduction project for expansion of the area for forestation while a project of Tk 1.0 billion was being implemented for protecting environment in the Sundarbans, the UNESCO world heritage.
Referring to industrial waste, she said steps were being taken to make the setting up of effluent plants mandatory in all waste producing mills and factories to protect the environment.
Laying emphasis on forging integrated national unity to face environment and climate change challenges, Hasina called upon the environmental scientists to take effective measurers in this regard.
The Prime Minister said her previous government had taken a massive river-dredging programme to ensure navigability of the country's major rivers including the Gorai.
But, she regretted that the BNP-Jamaat government cancelled those projects, causing siltation in the rivers.
"Apart from the Gorai River, they (BNP government) have suspended 99 development projects undertaken by the previous Awami League government which were very important for the country," she added.
Referring to gradual decrease of arable lands, Hasina said she had already directed the authorities concerned to protect those lands and increase production.
Besides, she said her government had already directed private entrepreneurs and developers to implement their projects keeping provision of water bodies and playgrounds for the children inside their projects to protect environment.
Laying emphasis on raising social awareness on protecting environment, she said enacting law and its enforcement was not enough to conserve environment. The Prime Minister said the organisations working with environmental issues could play a vital role to raise awareness of the people.
She called upon all concerned to come forward with pragmatic initiatives along with the government to protect the country's environment and to leave a healthy and prosperous future for the new generation.
Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, environmentalists, academics and high government officials were present.