Staff Correspondent

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said the ministry has taken an initiative to include topics related to environmental protection and climate change in the curriculum for students from class III to class VIII.

The minister said that such an initiative is being taken by the ministry as an urge to make children aware from an early age by adding the subject of environmental protection to the curriculum.

He said effective steps are being taken to prevent air and noise pollution.

The environment minister made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest at the national roundtable 'Citizen Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Urbanization and Environmental Protection' at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital on Monday.

The minister also urged everyone to change their daily habits concerning environmental protection. He emphasised heightened awareness regarding plastic usage and called upon city authorities to play an effective role in waste management.

“The government cannot do anything alone, it has to work with everyone. Formed a caucus in the Parliament with the 46 MPs who had promised waste management ahead of the elections,” he said.

Over 100 civil society leaders and activists, marginalised community representatives, and local and national government officials convened for the National RouProtece discussion on the “Citizen Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Urbanization and Environmental Protection.”

During the lively discussion, youth civic leaders from marginalized communities presented their recommendations to improve planned urbanization and service delivery, sustainable solid waste management, and river pollution, and asked the policymakers for their support in implementing the roadmap recommendations.

Muhammad N. Khan, PhD; Director, Office of Economic Growth, USAID said, “Civil society plays a significant role in advancing human rights and advocating for key reforms. Initiatives like the Promoting Advocacy and Rights program underscore the U.S. Government’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between Bangladesh's civil society, the public, and government to work together to promote citizen-centric governance.”

Katie Croake, Chief of Party, Counterpart International, closed the event and said, “Thank you all for your leadership in working together to solve these issues. You’re building an impressive model of collaboration between citizens and policymakers to improve people’s lives across Bangladesh.”

Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary election, the Promoting Advocacy and Rights (PAR) Activity (PAR) supported its partners to mobilize 2,303 citizens in underrepresented communities to identify and share their priority issues and recommendations with 217 political leaders and 46 parliamentary candidates for inclusion in campaign manifestos and commitments, resulting in 263 pledges of support.