Two-day DU summit: Emphasis on integrated effort to save environment
The theme of the conference is “Green environment for a sustainable future”
Speakers at a conference have underlined the necessity of an integrated effort to protect the environment in the age of a growing economy.
They were addressing a conference at Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban in Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday.
The forest and environment affairs sub-committee of the Bangladesh Awami League organised the programme titled "Environmental solutions for sustainable development: Towards developed Bangladesh".
The theme of the conference is "Green environment for a sustainable future".
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque attended the event as chief guest while Dhaka University's Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the conference.
At the inaugural session, Abdur Razzaque said, "Dhaka has been declared as the most air polluted city in the world. We have to take specific programmes to tackle the pollution."
"Scientist, policymakers and all authorities have to work together to make a safe Earth for our future generation," he added.
"We are using-up our natural resources too quickly. We produce enough food, but many people can't afford to buy nutritious food. This is why we are giving priority to creating jobs and enhancing income," the minister said.
He also said the government has a comprehensive programme to address environmental issues.
Former central bank governor Dr Atiur Raman said, "We have enough environmental laws, but those laws have to be implemented properly. Implementation should be the first agenda."
He also focused on sustainable finance.
Dr Ainun Nishat, an eminent environmentalist, said, "Environmental balance is a pre-requisite for sustainable development."
Mentioning that climate change is a big challenge, he said, "We have a climate change trust fund and I am one of the trustees. But I am not satisfied with the way the fund is spent.
Prof Dr Khondoker Bazlul Hoque chaired the inaugural session.
Among others, Lawmaker Abdus Sobhan Golap, DU Professor Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, former education secretary Nazrul Islam Khan, climate change expert Dr Atiq Rahman, Professor Dr Aftab Ali Shaikh, forest and environment affairs secretary of
Awami League Delwar Hossain also spoke in different sessions of the first day.