A brief introduction to Bangladesh National Environment Policy Presented By Engr.Arafat Hasan

1. “Bangladesh National Environment Policy”
Presented by
Engr. Md.Arafat Hasan
A
presentation on
Structural Engineer at Parent Construction & Consultancy Ltd.

2. What is Environmental Policy?
Environmental policy of a State refers to the deliberate actions
taken by a State to manage the activities of the population
within that State in order to prevent, reduce or alleviate any
harmful effects on nature and its natural resources.

3. The Environment Policy, 1992 (Bangladesh)
The Environmental policy of Bangladesh is formulated based on a set of guiding
principles of two UN conferences:
 1972 conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm
 1992 ‘Earth Summit’ held in Rio De Janeiro
The Environment Policy, 1992 recognizes a set of concerns/issues:
1) Coordinated Vigilance and Necessary Action Program (in addressing the Global
and Regional environmental pollution)
2) Adapting Integrated Environment Policy (by setting priorities)
3) Sustainable use of Natural Resources (through mass awareness)
4) Considering natural Disasters as integral part of all actions
5) Improvement of National Environment and Global Cooperation

4. Objectives:
Environment Policy 1992
 to ensure ecological balance
 to protect against natural disasters
 to control activities polluting environment
 to ensure environmentally sound development in all sectors
 to ensure sustainable use of natural resources
 to associate with global community and implementation of
international agreements

5. Legal Framework of Environment Policy
 The policy directs to amend all laws and regulations related to protection of
environment, conservation of natural resources, and control of environmental
pollution and degradation with a view to meet present day’s needs without
compromising the ability to meet future needs.
 Frame new laws in all sectors necessary to control activities concerning
environmental pollution and degradation.
 Ensure proper implementation of all relevant laws/regulations an Ensure proper
implementation of all relevant laws/regulations and create wide spread public
awareness in this regard.
 Ratify all concerned international laws/conventions/ protocols which Bangladesh
considers rectifiable and amend/modify existing national laws/regulations in line
with the ratified international laws/conventions/protocols.

6. 1. Agriculture
2. Industry
3. Health and sanitation
4. Energy and fuel
5. Water development, flood control and irrigation
6. Land
7. Forest, wildlife and biodiversity
8. Fisheries and livestock
9. Food
10. Coastal and marine environment
11. Transport and communication
12. Housing and urbanization
13. Population
14. Education and public awareness
15. Science, technology and research
Priority Sectors in Environment Policy, 1992
The Environment Policy Considered the 15 different sectors:

7. “agriculture”
Environment Policy 1992
 Environment-friendly technology for agricultural development and food self-
sufficiency
 Control use of soil fertility depleting agro-chemicals; ensure OHS for agri-
workers; to encourage IPM; and promote use of organic fertilizer
 Promote environment-friendly jute and jute goods

8. “industry”
Environment Policy 1992
With respect to “industry” sector, the policy suggests:
 To adapt corrective measures to contain pollution
 To conduct EIA for all new industries
 To ban establishment of polluting industries
 To ensure sustainable use of raw materials in industries and
to prevent wastage

9. “health and sanitation”
Environment Policy 1992
 Incorporate environment-friendly issues in the health policy
 Obstruct measures against public health
 Inclusion of health and sanitation issues in national curriculum
 Develop environment-friendly rural and urban habitat; and
ensure environment-friendly accommodation for the workers

10. “energy and fuel”
Environment Policy 1992
 Discourage use of polluting fuel and encourage environmentally
sound fuel
 Emphasis on renewable energy
 Reduce use of fuel wood, agri-residues as fuel and promote
alternative sources of energy
 Nuclear energy to be discouraged and precautionary measures
to be taken against nuclear pollution and radiation
 Conduct EIA prior to energy and mining projects

11. Implementation Mechanism
 National Environment Council-headed by the head of
government (Prime Minister) oversees monitoring of the Policy
 Executive Committee of National Environment Council- headed
by Minister, MOEF implements the plan and coordinates inter-
sectoral issues
 Meetings of these Committees are rarely conducted

12. Implementation Mechanism
 Periodic (every 5 years) review and updating is necessary for this live
document
 Inter- sector coordination is necessary
 National Environment Council and its Executive Committee to meet
regularly
 Regular monitoring and supervision by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat
is necessary
 Involvement of the civil society and media is necessary to oversee
implementation, review and updating of the Policy by the government

13. Challenges of Implementation
 “Environment” to be the priority of the government with political blessing
irrespective of the changes of the regime
 Role of the judiciary is important in taking suo motu rules
 Role of the civil society and media as “watch-dog” helps effective
implementation of the policy

14. Conclusions:
 The ultimate objective of ‘Environment Policy’ is to ensure
environmentally sound development in all sectors.
 Thus Environment policy is to provide the basic premise to
define the goals of economic and social development in terms
of sustainability in the respective sector and in overall national
planning.