Sylhet Bureau 

Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that citizens have a crucial responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.

 She emphasized the importance of understanding not only citizen rights but also responsibilities.

 Sylhet is famous for its natural resources and numerous tourist spots. She requested the formation of spot-based committees involving social organizations to minimize damage to natural resources and biodiversity caused by incoming tourists. These committees would ensure proper waste management at tourist locations.

Although Bangladesh banned polythene in 2002 and waste management is not directly the ministry's task, she noted that mismanagement of waste is causing pollution and siltation in rivers, canals, and wetlands. This waste, especially microplastics, is entering the human body, posing serious health risks.

She directed the institutions under the Local Government Division (City Corporations, Municipalities) to strictly follow the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021, and stressed the importance of training for sanitation and waste management workers.

Speaking at a discussion meeting held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday  in the conference room of the Deputy  Commissioner’s office, she addressed divisional and district-level officials, market monitoring committees, business leaders, and other stakeholders, urging them to enforce the ban on polythene and single-use plastics.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy  Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad. A keynote presentation on government initiatives, legal regulations regarding the ban on polythene and single-use plastics was delivered by Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Kundu, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Special guest Mr. Debojit Singh, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General and Revenue), Sylhet, was also present. He urged the district administration to identify and utilize khas land and welcomed the proposal for establishing a model polythene-free market with the cooperation of market committees and government offices. He announced that such market committees would be rewarded by the Ministry.

Dr. Farhina said , to protect the environment, we must first change ourselves, then the society.” She also informed that a project is underway to involve government bodies such as the Department of Youth Development, Department of Social Services, Department of Women Affairs, Department of Jute, and BRDB in awareness programs and marketing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene through training initiatives.

The event was attended by CEO of Sylhet City Corporation Mohammad Rezai Rafin Sarkar, Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Humayun Kabir, heads of various government institutions, media personnel, business leaders, and leaders of environmental committees.