Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shahab Uddin said that Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has achieved enviable success in tackling the risks of climate change which is being applauded in the international arena. Government submitted the Nationally Determined Contribution, formulating the National Adaptation Plan, drafted Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041. Actions taken to deal with climate change risks in Bangladesh have been strengthened. So far, 789 projects have been undertaken with the estimated cost of 3 thousand 362 crore 32 lakh taka under the financing of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund.
The minister said this in the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development with the theme 'Green Bangladesh - prosperous Bangladesh' organized by Forest and Environment Sub-committee; Bangladesh Awami League in Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka on Friday.
Environment Minister said in spite of all the challenges for environment protection, the present government is implementing policies and programs to ensure a sustainable environment suitable for living of the present and future population of the country. The Department of Environment is taking and implementing various effective measures to control environmental pollution. The Department is conducting regular enforcement activities and conducting mobile courts against polluters to deal with fabricated environmental pollution, forcing industrial establishments that emit liquid waste to set up liquid waste treatment systems and implement zero discharge plans.
Forest Minister said afforestation and forest conservation, restoration of degraded forests and sustainable forest management are continuing with the aim of increasing the country's tree cover to 25 percent from 22.37 and forest cover to 16 percent from 14.01 of the total land by 2030. 1 lakh 63 thousand 378-hectare block and 26 thousand 453 seedling km garden have been created. 10 crore 59 lakh saplings were distributed and planted. The Forest Department has restored about 7 thousand 220 hectares of plains and sal forests, 1 lakh 30 thousand 580 hectares of mountain forests, 500 hectares of agar forest, 15 thousand km. Strip gardens, 50 thousand hectares of mangrove gardens. Government also campaigns to aware people on the importance of planting trees and distributes seedling in different occasions to encourage people for planting trees. We have to be committed to keep our country green and advocate to popularize the green growth in the country to make Bangladesh prosperous.
Dr Khondoker Bazlul Hoque, Chairman, Forest and Environment Affairs Sub-Committee of Bangladesh Awami League presided over the occasion.
Minister of Road Transport and Bridges and General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League Obaidul Quader was present as the Chief Guest. Md. Shariar Alam, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Barrister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education were present as the Special Guests. Delwar Hossain, Secretary, Organizing Committee of ICEPSD-2022, Member Secretary, Forest and Environment Affairs Sub-committee Bangladesh Awami League also spoke in the occasion. Teachers, researchers, Scientists, practitioners, students, and national and international scholars, journalists were present in the occasion.