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  • Household Waste Disposal

    Household Waste Disposal

    Ahmed Jubaer: Bangladesh is an over populated country around 164,689,383 people lived in our country according to recent UN data and the population density in Bangladesh is 1265 per Km2. This mass population creates huge amount of house hold waste in their daily life which are comes into our environment.

    Today my writing is about house waste materials in Bangladesh and I will trying to provide some technical managerial concept about how to manage this waste by individual in our country. Household Waste is the domestic Waste or residential Waste materials generated by households. The amount of Household Waste produced by household can vary depending on factors like revenue and lifestyle.

    Waste generation in Bangladesh is around 22.4 million tons per year and it is projected to reach 47, 064 tons per day by 2025. (wiki). We may consider our house hold waste material in to two major group

    1. Organic Waste materials
    2. Inorganic Waste materials.

    Organic waste is the biodegradable waste which do not have any harmful effect in our environment except odor pollution. The sources of organic house hold waste materials are vegetables, fish, meat, potatoes etc. This are green waste as well.

    Inorganic waste are non-biodegradable things that have no effect of microorganism over it so that reason this waste materials have long time effect on environment. Plastic is the common inorganic house hold waste that have worse effect on our environment. Such as collapsing draining system, navigability of rivers, ponds, canals, and troughs that cause’s water blockage during monsoon season in Bangladesh with little raining. To know better what are the inorganic wastes it may be remained that all synthetic artificial products are turns into inorganic waste materials. So we need to take extra care to dispose it.

    There are usually three main concept of waste disposal where two of it are environmental friendly and the other is not so. Process are

    1. Sanitary Landfilling
    2. Recycling
    3. Incineration (not ecofriendly)

    None of above process are suitable for residence of Bangladesh to dispose waste because of time management or business but government can take advantages by providing some instruction to dump waste into dustbin.

    We can segregate waste in two different bags may labeled as organic waste and inorganic waste or eco waste and non eco waste. The benefit of this techniques is that disposal person of City Corporation finally not going to dispose all the wastes together in same process. Organic waste may dispose by landfilling where inorganics may with extra care for sanitary landfilling or recycling.

    Basically residence of commercial city like Dhaka, Chittagong should practice this as they are the main sufferer of water blockage during rainy season. Beside this proper management of waste can give us energy like electricity as well as gas which may be the next asset of Bangladesh. Tons of waste may turn into energy if we dispose waste in the right way.

    (The writer is a Chemist, MSc in Chemistry, University of Chittagong and a participant of National Environmental Writing Contest 2020. He can be reached at [email protected])

  • Increase Prices of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products through Specific Taxation

    Increase Prices of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products through Specific Taxation

    Increasing the prices of tobacco products through effective taxation discourages the youth to start tobacco use as well as encourages the existing users, particularly those financially vulnerable, to quit. To achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh, the prices of cigarettes and other tobacco products should be increased through specific taxation, bringing these products beyond the purchasing power of the masses.

    MPs, economists, journalists, and public health experts expressed such views today during a virtual roundtable, jointly organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), titled ‘Tobacco Tax and Price Measures for a Tobacco-Free Bangladesh: Reality and the Way Forward. As PROGGA presented its budget proposals for FY 2021-22′ during the event, its estimation says implementation of such proposal would encourage 1.1 million adult smokers to quit, prevent premature deaths of 390,000 existing smokers and 400,000 youths. The proposals regarding supplementary duty, health development surcharge, and VAT on cigarettes would also earn the government an additional BDT 3400 crore in revenues.

    During the roundtable, Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, said, “Each year before the budget, we raise our demands to increase tobacco taxes. Unfortunately, the national budget never reflects our demands. Our constitution has declared that this republic belongs to its people. The constitution has also bestowed the sacred responsibility of safeguarding public health on the State. So, our Honorable Prime Minister voiced her vision for a tobacco-free Bangladesh considering all such aspects. Those who are putting obstacles in the way need to be identified.” 

    Eminent economist and the convener of the National Anti-Tobacco Platform, Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “It is quite frustrating for us to find NBR saying the increase in tobacco taxes would harm the poor. The reality is quite the contrary. An increase in tobacco taxes benefits the poor the most.” In addition to supporting the budget proposals, Mr. Kholiquzzaman also called for the reinstatement of export duty on tobacco. Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, said, I hope those involved in the formulation of the national budget would incorporate at least some of these demands. He also focused on including lessons on the detrimental effects of tobacco in the national curriculum and other co-curricular activities.

    Additional Director-General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof. Dr. Meerjady Sabrina Flora opined that reducing the affordability and use of cigarettes through tax increases allows the people, particularly the poor, to spend more on nutrition and other necessities. She emphasized that adopting a coordinated plan regarding tobacco control would push for increasing taxes, raising awareness and implementing the existing law.

    Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, former Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR), said, One of the major impediments in realizing such proposals in the national budget is the government’s investment in British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) as well as the tobacco industry’s influence on NBR. He urged the Finance Minister to increase the prices of tobacco products in the upcoming budget and also to divest the government’s involvement in a tobacco company. Prominent Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of TV Today Mr. Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul said, “Materializing a commitment made by the Honorable PM requires additional effort from those in policymaking level. Unfortunately, we cannot find any such effort in this case. We must be sincere in this regard.”

    Abdul Quayum, Associate Editor of the Daily Prothom Alo, said, “Use of bidi and cigarettes causes diseases and thus increases medical expenses which, in turn, makes the poor even poorer. We need more campaigns to raise awareness regarding such devastating consequences.” Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Haque,

    National Professional Officer, World Health Organization (WHO) said, “We want to raise taxes on tobacco products so that it reduces the affordability of these products among the poor demographic and also discourages the youth to start its use.” He also told that due to the inelastic nature of tobacco demand, it would also increase government revenue.

    The Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Dr. Mahfuz Kabir said, the users of low-tier cigarettes constitute around 70 percent of total smokers. So, if we can increase the price of this tier through specific taxation and raise it closer to the medium-tier, it would not only reduce use but also increase government revenue manifold.

    Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Bangladesh said, once the prices of tobacco products are increased, the use of these items among the poor decreases. He urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to play a more pro-active role in tobacco taxation.

    The event was hosted by Nadira Kiron, Co-convener, ATMA. The budget proposals were presented by Md. Hasan Shahriar, Project Head, Tobacco Control, PROGGA. Among those present were also Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA, ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA and representatives of anti-tobacco organizations and media outlets.

    To raise tobacco taxes and prices, the following proposals for upcoming budget for FY 2021-22 were presented during the press conference:

    Budget Proposals:

    • Introduce a tiered specific excise (supplementary duty -SD) with uniform tax burden (SD share of 65% of final retail price) across all cigarette brands
    • In the low-tier, the retail price should be set at 50 for 10 sticks, followed by BDT 32.50 as specific supplementary duty (SD).
    • In the medium-tier, set the retail price at BDT 70 for 10 sticks and BDT 45.50 should be imposed as specific supplementary duty (SD).
    • In the high-tier, the retail price should be set at 110for 10 sticks, followed by BDT 71.50 as specific supplementary duty (SD).
    • In the premium-tier, set the retail price at BDT 140 for 10 sticks and BDT 91 should be imposed as specific supplementary duty (SD).
    • Reduce price tiers from four to two in the medium-term (2021-22 to 2025-26) by reducing the gaps in final prices and tax rates between cigarettes brands
    • For 25 non-filtered bidi sticks, the retail price should be BDT 25, followed by a specific supplementary duty of BDT 11.25. The price for 20 filtered sticks should be BDT 20, which will be followed by a specific supplementary duty of BDT 9. As a result of such measures, in both filtered and non-filtered bidis, the specific supplementary duty will be 45 percent of final retail prices.
    • For SLT products, the price per 10-gram jarda and gul should be BDT 45 and 25 respectively. A specific supplementary duty of BDT 27 should be imposed on per 10-gram jarda. For gul, the specific supplementary duty should be BDT 15. As a result of such measures, in both jarda and gul, the specific supplementary duty will be 60 percent of final retail prices.
    • Retain the existing 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) and 1% Heath Development Surcharge on all tobacco products.

    Implementation of the above-mentioned proposals for tax and price hike of tobacco products will encourage 1.1 million people to quit smoking, prevent premature deaths of 390,000 current adults and 400,000 current youth, and earn BDT 3400 crore as additional revenue from the supplementary duty, health development surcharge and VAT imposed on cigarettes. At the same time, price hikes of bidi, jarda and gul would also discourage the use among the poorest and most vulnerable demographic while contributing to govt. exchequer.

    The existing multi-tiered ad-valorem taxation has rendered cigarettes quite cheap and affordable in Bangladesh. Following a price hike, consumers conveniently switch to cheaper brands instead of quitting. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2017, between 2009 and 2017, there has been a 1.5 million increase in the number of cigarette users. The numbers reveal that the existing tobacco tax structure has not been contributing to make Bangladesh a tobacco-free country by 2040, as envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister.

    With the ongoing second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic, the health sector and overall economy of the country are going through precarious conditions. If tobacco use goes unchecked during such a period of vulnerability, it would put an additional risk for public health. According to World Health Organization (WHO), smokers are more likely to become severely ill when infected with covid-19. This makes the existing tobacco users, around 40 million in number, extremely vulnerable to severe COVID 19 infection. In Bangladesh, tobacco use claims 126,000 lives prematurely each year.

    In a 2019 study titled “Economic Cost of Tobacco Use in Bangladesh: A Health Cost Approach”, it was revealed that in 2017-18, the economic cost (medical expenses and loss of productivity) of tobacco use stood at BDT 30,560 crore while revenues from tobacco sector in 2017-18 FY was only BDT 22,810 crore. Raising the prices of tobacco products would discourage the youth from starting use and getting addicted while encouraging the existing users belonging to the poor demographic to quit.

    Source: PROGGA Knowledge for Progress

  • With love, nature

    With love, nature

    Dear People,

    How can you forget that from the beginning of your day till the end you have my love, warm and shelter. I send you sunshine to bring you light; I tell birds to sing waking you up. In the wake of a long walk in a sunny day you always have my trees to get sheltered, my trees provide you beautiful flowers and fresh fruits, you always have my wind to feel fresh.

    After the unbearable hot spell, I send you raindrops to get peace. From my Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Karnaphuli, Buriganga, Brahmaputra you get water, food and travel facilities. My cox’s bazar, Kuakata protect you from heat waves, facilitates trade. My mountains keep you safe from climate change.

    Can you remember how Sundarbans has become a shield for you during Amphan a few days ago?  Did you ever imagine what you have gone through if there were no Sundarbans? How much have you taken from it – flowers, fruits, food and fuel. What else do you want? I have wide rows of trees, gardens where you can find purity. You visit the yard of my Ramna Park and other green sites to walk, enjoy fresh air and have a good time with your family and friends.

    Is it possible for you to survive a day without my love and shelter?

    Can’t I ask for love in return? It hurts me that you don’t love and care for me. How ruthlessly you are cutting down all my trees, filling the rivers to build a taller building. The blue of my sea has turned black for throwing away your rubbish. My rivers are now full of plastic waste; there are no waves or murmurs. You people made my parks and greeneries grimy and dull. You threw your all wastes on them. Now they are full of accumulated wastes like abandoned shoes, napkins, diapers, toothbrushes, plastic stuffs, food packets and so on. They are slowly drowning in garbage and can’t feel the grasses.

    Yet my love will always be there for you and I will protect you with absolute warmth. In return I want a little care and love. I know you can love; you can rejuvenate me if you want. I want to believe that your hearts are full of devotion and hope, not cruelty.  Come and fill my forest and hills with green again, bring back life to my rivers, fill them with the play of the waves, make my oceans blue once again, let my wildlife live in love.

    We will celebrate lives in a new, green and beautiful world where people will adore nature, where love comes back instead of love, where mankind and nature become best friends.

    Written by Afsana Alam (The writer is a participant of National Environmental Writing Contest 2020. She can be reached at [email protected])

  • Reduction of Carbon Emission: A Light of Hope in a Blind Alley

    Reduction of Carbon Emission: A Light of Hope in a Blind Alley

    Nusrat Jahan Labonnayo: Excess Carbon emission is a poignant reality for us. Much of the apprehension about climate change is directly attributable to increasing global temperature, a by-product of the ever-increasing rate of carbon emission. However, we have taken this era-defining challenge for granted for far too long. Consequently, our sea level is gradually rising and might eventually result in environmental catastrophe. Saltwater intrusion might become a new normal for countries like Bangladesh, causing massive internal displacement and changing our agricultural landscape forever. 16-17 southern districts may be inundated by saltwater by the end of the century. Hence, it is imperative that we control the emission of toxic elements like Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide etc. to avoid the aforementioned deleterious consequences.

    To understand the ramifications of carbon emission, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist. Evidently, our world is in an appalling situation because of it. However, here I bring about a new perspective for the reader. During lockdown for COVID-19, Environmentalists have observed dramatic healing taking place. Pollution significantly decreased in many countries and Bangladesh was no different.

    Long story short, the lockdown from mid March to mid April essentially forced industries to shut down resulting in zero to negligible carbon emission. So far this year, the lockdown leading to global economic shutdown has reduced carbon emission by more than 8%. Furthermore, by evaluating the data from the air quality index during the period of lockdown, Dhaka’s air quality has improved 30% or higher.

    Hence, we can confidently claim that the industrial and power sectors are mostly responsible for carbon emission and the population plays a trivial role in air pollution. However, we understand the impossibility of shutting down essential industries or total mitigation of carbon emission. The motivation for this article, therefore, is to introduce some systematic plans to minimize carbon emission.

    Some media sources presented the improvement of our climate during lockdown as a silver lining. However, these temporary solutions are at best, weak swords that won’t absolutely eradicate the problem. Rather, a sustainable structural transformation is required in order to steer clear from this impending disaster. We’ve to reduce carbon footprints by any means & acknowledge this as an urgent priority. Furthermore, government intervention in various sectors of business is required to ensure environmental protection.

    Environmental policies should be introduced & implemented regarding carbon emission reduction and our government should make sure that those policies are compatible with our country’s environmental and economic development.

    In addition, it might be worthwhile to go over concrete actions like carbon tax and carbon trading. Here carbon tax means a charge being imposed on the carbon content of fuels & carbon trading is an alternative system where the state sets the total emission volume for each polluting industry and grants these pollution rights to industries through an auction scheme. The Government may also offer incentives or rewards to business entities who performed well in maintaining these rules and used more eco-friendly tactics to reduce negative externalities.

    While we might go ahead & enjoy the benefits of large-scale economic growth and structural change, we should also note that under no conditions should we allow our ecosystem to get deteriorated any more than it already has. Therefore, timely implementation & prompt execution of green policies must be ensured and public-private collaborations should be integrated into those policies. If everything goes accordingly, hopefully by the end of this century, our future generation won’t have to become the poster-children for UNHCR’s fundraising campaign & we’ll have cleaner air to breathe.

    (The writer is a participant of National Environmental Writing Contest 2020. She can be reached at [email protected])

    Featured Image Courtesy: Nicolas Herrbach

  • Micro-plastics pollution: A high concerning time as the emerging pollutant hits the environment

    Micro-plastics pollution: A high concerning time as the emerging pollutant hits the environment

    Amit Hasan Anik: Micro-plastics can be defined as the smaller fragments (≥1 μm – <5 mm) of semi-synthetic plastic polymers which are highly persistent and omnipresent in the environment. Micro-plastics mainly contain polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, nylons, poly-lactic acid, polyamide, and polyethylene terephthalate.

    However, large plastic pollution was an antecedent worldwide issue whereas micro-plastics pollution is a thriving mondial concern in today’s world. During the last few years, it has taken note that impacts of micro-plastics are relatively more ticklish than macro plastics which causes increasing environmental concern about these tiny particles. Nevertheless, this emerging pollutant of our environment has been largely unexplored in the perspective of Bangladesh.

    However, micro-plastics are divided into two common classes on the basis of their origin and sources, such as primary and secondary micro-plastics. Micro-plastics may enter into the environment due to indiscriminate use in industrial preproduction pellets like personal care products (primary micro-plastics) and as well as by the breakdown of larger plastic objects (secondary micro-plastics). According to the report of Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), 60 most prevalent and commonly used beauty and cleaning products in Bangladesh, including face wash, detergent etc. contain microbeads (segment of primary micro-plastics).

    They also claimed that monthly around 8000 billion microbeads are released from the household basin and through the drainage system ended up into the surrounding water bodies of Dhaka, Chittagong & Sylhet. Besides, Bangladesh is one of the rising developing countries where consumption of plastic items has expanded than ever before. Furthermore, due to the outbreak of Covid-19, a huge number of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) including mask, gloves, goggles and gowns are added as single use plastic waste in our environment and turned into a great source of secondary micro-plastics which creating a situation like rub salt into the wound.

    Micro-plastics can be ingested by a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial species due to their small size and their abundance in both pelagic and benthic ecosystems. Recently researchers identified micro-plastics in diverse organisms from the smallest plankton to top predators like large fishes, birds and mammals which indicate pernicious effects of micro-plastics on an ecosystem.

    These micro-plastics through ingestion, inhalation and translocation biomagnified along with the food web and may transfer into human body. According to the report of WHO (2019), they have found the presence of micro-plastics in treated tap and bottled water though in low level but due to regular consumption it may cause chronic effect on human health. However, the detrimental effects of micro-plastics in surrounding environment and on food chain toxicity has not yet been reported in Bangladesh whereas the global researchers has identified the role of micro-plastics as carriers of toxic pollutants responsible for adverse health effects.  

    Albeit, in 2002, the Bangladesh government banned lightweight plastic bags and pushed the use of jute fiber bags as an alternative. Moreover, single-use plastic products are also banned recently because they are secondary sources of micro-plastics deposition.

    However, at the same time, polythene and single-use plastic products are continuously produced, traded and utilized all over the country because of the weak implementation of the law and absence of cost-effective environment-friendly alternatives. Therefore, government should introduce strong legislative rules and set ‘zero tolerance’ regarding the use of mega and macro plastics and compel the industries to use biodegradable materials like starch in lieu of non-degradable materials to lessen micro-plastics pollution.

    (The writer is a student of Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka, Bangladesh and a participant of National Environmental Writing Contest 2020. He can be reached at [email protected])

  • Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard Released

    Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard Released

    Tobacconomics, a US-based research initiative, released the first edition of the International Cigarette Tax Scorecard, assessing the performance of cigarette tax policies in over 170 countries including Bangladesh. Tobacconomics is based at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute for Health Research and Policy and it conducts economic research to inform and shape fiscal policies for health globally.

    Bangladesh got an overall score of 2.38 out of 5 possible points, which is slightly higher than the global average (2.07), but there is ample room to improve when compared to the top performing countries (4.63). The top performing countries are Australia and New Zealand, which reflects their high, uniform specific cigarette excise taxes with regular increases that have significantly reduced the affordability of cigarettes.

    The Tobacconomics Scorecard assesses countries’ cigarette tax policies based on international best practice using data from the World Health Organization from 2014-2018. Nearly half the countries scored less than two out of the five-point maximum. There has been little improvement between 2014 and 2018: the global average score rose only slightly from 1.85 in 2014 to 2.07 in 2018. The Cigarette Tax Scorecard has been created by the University of Illinois Chicago’s (UIC) Institute for Health Research and Policy.

    Bangladesh had significantly improved its score on cigarette taxation policy from 0.87 in 2014 to 2.38 in 2018 but improvements are needed in the tax structure and prices of cigarettes.

    “The Scorecard shows considerable untapped potential for cigarette tax increases to raise revenue for a COVID-19 recovery and importantly, prevent premature deaths and promote a healthy and productive workforce,” says Tobacconomics director and lead author of the scorecard, Frank J. Chaloupka.

    “The complex tiered cigarette tax structure in Bangladesh has significantly contributed to a reduced score for Bangladesh in this scorecard. Bangladesh must reduce the number of tiers for the purpose of cigarette taxation, introduce specific excise taxes and significantly increase its existing excise taxes on all tobacco products to save lives and raise much needed revenue” according to Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Eminent economist and the convener of National Anti-Tobacco Platform.

    “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lungs hooked on tobacco are at greater risk of COVID-19. In Bangladesh, 37.8 million adults use tobacco and 41 million people fall victim to second-hand smoke in their own homes. This huge chunk of population, victims of direct or indirect tobacco use, are currently at grave risk of severe coronavirus infection. Low prices of tobacco products are the main reason behind this. Increased taxes on tobacco products will reduce their consumption and generate much needed revenue to bear coronavirus related medical expenses and implementation of govt. stimulus packages.” said Dr. Mahfuz Kabir Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). About 126, 000 people die every year in Bangladesh from tobacco use and the economic burden from tobacco use amounted to BDT 30,500 crores in 2017-18 which is 1.4% of Bangladesh’s total GDP.

    In addition, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created a major dent in Bangladesh’s GDP growth. Reforming tobacco taxes provides a quick and easy way for Bangladesh to raise much needed revenue for economic recovery. Tobacco taxes are the single most effective way to minimize the negative health and economic impacts of tobacco consumption. The best way to do this is through a uniform specific excise tax that comprises at least 75% of the retail price and is automatically updated to stay ahead of inflation and income growth.

  • Long human chain on both banks of the Teesta

    Long human chain on both banks of the Teesta

    Long human chain programs have been carried out on both banks to demand protection of the Teesta River, prevention of floods and erosion, alleviation of human suffering and compensation to the victims. The program was held on Sunday from 11 am to 12 noon at the initiative of ‘Save Teesta, Save River, Sangram Parishad’. The organization claims that the human chain was held in an area of ​​about 230 km on both sides of the Teesta.

    According to the organization, the total length of the river Teesta is about 315 kilometers. About 115 kilometers have flowed in Bangladesh. At noon, a long human chain was held simultaneously across an area of ​​230 km on both sides. The human chain was held from Paschim Chhatnai Zero Point in Dimla Upazila of Nilphamari District, the mouth of the river Teesta, to Haripur Ghat in Haripur Union of Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha District (where the Teesta meets the Brahmaputra).

    Nazrul Islam Haqqani, president of the organization, presided over the human chain program at Kaunia Point in Rangpur. Tuhin Wadud, a teacher of Begum Rokeya University and a member of the Standing Committee of Teesta Bachao Nadi Bachao Sangram Parishad, Nuruzzaman Khan and others spoke on the occasion. Shafiar Rahman, general secretary of the organization, presided over the function at Uttar Dawabari point in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district. Among others, Chhadekul Islam, a member of the Standing Committee of Save Teesta and Save the River Sangram Parishad, among others, spoke on the occasion. Besides, standing committee members Shafiqul Islam Kanu, Amin Uddin, Mozaffar Hossain, Mohammad Ali, Mahmud Alam, Mahabub Alam, Aminur Rahman, Abdun Nur Dulal, Bakhtiyar Hossain and others spoke at different points.

    Nazrul Islam Haqqani, president of the organization at Kaunia Point, said that if the Teesta was protected, not only the climate but also the agricultural economy of the region would be protected from catastrophic damage.

    Begum Rokeya University teacher Tuhin Wadud said the Teesta River has become destructive due to unilateral withdrawal of water from India and lack of domestic care. If it is possible to take care of the river scientifically, the river will also survive, it will save thousands of crores of rupees. As a result, spending money to protect this river is the most profitable in the country.

    Nuruzzaman Khan said, ‘We have no alternative to protect the Teesta river. To get our water from India, there has to be a Teesta treaty on the basis of fair share.

    The speakers congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for adopting the Teesta Master Plan. At the same time, they demanded speedy implementation of the master plan. A six-point declaration was presented at the rally.

    The points are:

    1. Effective measures have to be taken to maintain adequate water flow in the river Teesta throughout the year. The river needs to be scientifically excavated to protect it. As a common river, the Teesta agreement should be signed with India on the basis of fair share.

    2. The victims of the Teesta erosion and floods will have to be compensated. Housing needs to be provided to the landless and homeless victims of demolition.

    3. In the master plan for the protection of the river Teesta, it is necessary to make arrangements for its speedy implementation keeping in view the interests of the people of the river and its banks.

    4. The previous relationship of the river with the tributaries, tributaries and tributaries of the river Teesta has to be restored. Adequate reservoirs have to be constructed to retain rain water.
    5. Effective measures must be taken to protect the interests of agriculture and farmers in the char areas. The master plan needs to be implemented quickly.

  • 4th International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN) 2020

    4th International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN) 2020

    Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) is going to organize the 4th International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN) held on December 26 & 27, 2020. This conference will be devoted to the 20th anniversary of the founding of BAPA, and, in view of the COVID-19, it will be virtual.

    This effort has led to significant progress, including the early successes in removing black smoke-spewing two-stroke engine vehicles (TSVE) from the streets of major cities, the introduction of unleaded gasoline, and re-imposition of the ban on the use of plastic bags. These were followed by the promulgation of new building and construction rules, allowing for more open space; enactment of wetland protection laws; imposition of restrictions on brick kilns aimed at protection of air quality, etc. An important development was the initiation of the movement for the protection of rivers, which form the backbone of Bangladesh’s environment. Beginning with the “Save the Buriganga River!” movement, launched in 2000, the river movement has now spread all across the country. It has sensitized the public, drawn the attention of the media, and persuaded the government to take some steps, including removal of some river encroaching structures and formation of the River Task Force and the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC). The High Court has now declared rivers as “living entities” with legal rights and appointed NRCC as custodian with the responsibility of upholding those rights.

    Despite these successes, the overall process of environmental degradation continues. The government’s efforts to protect the rivers are half-hearted, follows the wrong Cordon approach, are often proving counter-productive and creating the new problem of water-logging. It’s big drive toward coal-fired power generation, including near the Sundarbans, is endangering both local and global environment. Plastic pollution is spreading and getting worse. The flawed transportation, settlement, and population policies are creating unbearable traffic jams.

    Analyzing the situation, BAPA and BEN noted that a major cause of the disappointing progress in protecting Bangladesh’s environment has been lack of proper execution, as a result of which well-intentioned policies were often not implemented or implemented in perverse ways. The annual BAPA-BEN conference of 2015 discussed the problem and suggested ways of overcoming it. However, noting that the performance of government implementation agencies ultimately depends on the political leadership, BAPA and BEN have now called for greater influence of the environment movement on the political leadership of the country. The most recent BAPA-BEN annual conference, devoted to the theme of Political Effectiveness of the Environment Movement (PEEM), held in January 2020, has urged all to convert the environment movement into a mass movement and to think of new ways of increasing its political influence. It is in this backdrop that the 4th ICBEN is being held.

    Incidentally, BAPA was formed in July 2000, in the backdrop of the hugely successful 1st ICBEN, which was initiated by BEN and held jointly by Porosh, BEN, BUET, and CEN, in January 2000, in collaboration with more than fifty pro-environment organizations of Bangladesh. Since then BAPA and BEN, together with other pro-environment forces of the country, have been working relentless for the protection of Bangladesh and global environment.

    Scope and topics of ICBEN 2020

    Following the preceding ICBENs, the ICBEN 2020 too will have a broad scope and will include all major issues related to environment under this purview. The topics of ICBEN 2020 will include the following:

    • River and surface water bodies,
    • Climate change,
    • Natural disasters,
    • Arsenic and ground water contamination,
    • Plastic pollution
    • Energy and environment,
    • Air pollution: urban and rural
    • Industrial pollution,
    • Agriculture related issues of environment,
    • Urban planning and environment,
    • Transportation and communication policies,
    • Rural housing and settlement pattern,
    • Indoor environment: industrial, urban, and rural,
    • Forests and Adibashi rights,
    • Household waste,
    • Medical waste,
    • Electronic waste,
    • Environment, parks, open space, and sports,
    • Noise pollution,
    • Biodiversity,
    • Environment and health,
    • Environment and tobacco cultivation and consumption,
    • Environment and food safety,
    • Environment and law,
    • Environment and culture,
    • Environment and the education curriculum and system,
    • Environment and human rights,
    • Environment and role of the civil society,
    • Environment, public administration, capacity building, and governance,
    • Environment and women and women’s movement,
    • Environment and youth and student movement,
    • Environment and workers’ movement,
    • Environment and economic and financial policies,
    • Environment and the role of donor agencies,
    • Environment and regional cooperation,
    • Bangladesh and international environment movement,
    • The need for capacity building to protect environment,
    • Environment and the movement for self-reliance,
    • Ways to increase political influence of the environment movement,
    • Blue Economy & Marine Environment
    • Coastal & Ocean Environment,
    • One Health Movement & Ecology
    • Other issues of Bangladesh environment.

    Call for papers

    Papers are invited on the topics above for presentation at ICBEN 2020. The timeline for papers is as follows:

    October 30, 2020: Submission of the abstract (between 200 and 300 words) stating the title of the paper, name of the author(s) with institutional affiliation(s), and e-mail addresses.

    November 30, 2020: Submission of full papers as per the recommended format

    December 15, 2020: Decision on the paper presentation

    All abstracts and papers should be sent electronically in Word format to the following:

    Papers written by authors residing in Bangladesh should be sent to Prof. M. Shahidul Islam, Department of Geography & Environment, Dhaka University, Ramna, Dhaka, at [email protected]

    Papers written by authors residing outside of Bangladesh should be sent to Prof. Saleh Tanveer, Dept of Mathematics, Ohio-State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA at [email protected]

    A selection of papers presented at ICBEN 2020 will be published, after necessary editorial process, in the conference volume.

    Dual format

    Following the tradition of BAPA-BEN conferences, ICBEN-2020 will have a dual format, with “Expert Sessions” for presentation of papers by scientists and scholars and “General Sessions” for presentation by leaders, activists, and representatives of different sections of the society, including direct victims of environmental degradation. To have appropriate representation in the General Sessions, the conference organizers will reach out to various environmental organizations; conservation movements; political parties; trade unions; mass organizations; organizations of women, youth, students; cultural and sports organizations; and other relevant organizations and individuals.  

    Organizers of the conference

    Also following the tradition of ICBENs, BAPA and BEN will invite all universities; environment-related other academic establishments; environmental organizations; conservation movements; and other pro-environment organizations, institutions, and establishments to join ICBEN-2020 as associate organizers. Meanwhile, a Conference Organizing Committee (COC) has been formed with Adv. Sultana Kamal as the Chairperson and Dr. Mohd. Abdul Matin as the Member Secretary for the preparatory purpose of the conference.  

    Conference office BAPA office at 9/12 Lalmatia, Block D, Dhaka 1217, will serve as the office of ICBEN-2020. The office may be contacted by phone at 02-58152041 and by e-mail at [email protected]

  • Tobacco Control Law needs to be amended to achieve SDG: Professor Dr. A A M S Arefis Siddique

    Tobacco Control Law needs to be amended to achieve SDG: Professor Dr. A A M S Arefis Siddique

    Strong measures need to be taken immediately for reducing tobacco use in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as a tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040, as declared by the Prime Minister. A strong tobacco control law and its effective implementations are highly required in this regard. However, due to some loopholes in the existing tobacco control law, it fails to reduce tobacco use efficiently. Today, delegates from PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), an anti-tobacco research and advocacy organization, had a discussion meeting on the necessity of amending tobacco control law and its way forward with Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University. He said at the meeting that, “I trust that the current tobacco control law requires some amendment along with some additions to save the people from consuming such a toxic product like tobacco as well as to achieve SDG 3.

    Moreover, during these hard times of COVID-19 outbreak, I acknowledge that it is high time to swiftly take in to consideration the proposals of amendment of relevant laws raised by PROGGA and other tobacco control organizations in order to keep the public health and environment safe and sound.” He further underscored that “just as the intended targets of any law depend on its stringent implementation, likewise, we need to go forward in rendering timely amendment of the law and its firm implementation.” At the discussion meeting, PROGGA underscored some proposals of amendment in tobacco control law which included 1. Remove the exemptions in the smoking ban for restaurants and public transport; 2. Ban the display of tobacco products at points of sale; 3. Ban tobacco company ‘corporate social responsibility’ activities; 4. Ban the sale of single sticks and unpackaged smokeless tobacco; 5. Ban the sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products; 6. Allow for stricter rules on packaging including increases to the size of health warnings; etc.

  • Groundwater depletion and related environmental threats around Dhaka city and other cities nearby

    Groundwater depletion and related environmental threats around Dhaka city and other cities nearby

    Kowshik Ahmed: Water! Fresh water! Which is the most essential element for us and our environment. If I say, you have to live one day long without water, then you must freak out! Obviously it must be difficult to survive a single day without water. And if you still don’t know, how is it to live without pure water, then you are welcomed to try!

    The matter of fact is most of the people of our country still doesn’t know the value of fresh water because water is often easy to get here. But when it’s about the over populated and urbanized city like Dhaka, then most of the people can feel the crisis of fresh water around them.

    Now the question is, is it all about the fresh water crisis?

    -NO, it’s not only about fresh water crisis but also about other environmental threats like- groundwater level depletion, land aggravation, deterioration in water quality, environmental drying up and increasing the process of desertification, depletion of water in streams and lakes in the city etc.

    So, how this all are related? Let’s discuss.

    Because of over population and urbanization in Dhaka city, the continuous withdrawal process of groundwater is taken place over last 30 years in demand of the daily need. The surface water resources, like- lacks, rivers, streams are filled up due to urbanization.

    Because of that the recharge process of groundwater level is averted and the level of groundwater drops around 7-10 meters in the different places of Dhaka city. Scientists are concerned that it may lead the process of land aggravation which may cause severe “Earthquake” in the Dhaka city. It may cause subsidence of some construction in the Dhaka city. Also the water quality is deteriorating day by day which is a great health threat.

    Lack of proper drainage system and groundwater recharge system, sometimes it leads to severe desertification and sometimes severe flash flood. Both cause great damage to our environment and life.

    Now, what initiatives are needed to take for prevent those threats? Let’s discuss…

    First of all, we must need a proper water management plan and properly implementing those which are already exists. Formulate special groundwater rules and we all have to stop misusing the fresh water.

    Secondly, Artificial recharging of groundwater must be executed through excavating necessary numbers of lacks and water streams and also by river dredging.

    Thirdly, Use modern technology for water contribution and spread awareness of stop misusing the supplies water. Fix the supply limit for residences and industries and maintain that strictly.

    Fourthly, we have to stop water pollution and plastic pollution. All the industry must follow the treatments rules for pollutants. No industry should be permitted to set up without a proper treatment plant for waste water. Necessary number of water treatment plant must be established all over the country and operate regularly.

    And the fifth point is each and every building should have the storage system for store rain water. We must utilize the rain water for our use to reduce the burden of groundwater.

    So in a nutshell, we can say that by following those steps discussed above we can diminish the problem and make the place environmental friendly and sustainable for everyone. Along with that we must keep planting trees which are the natural savior of the environment and also important for our groundwater preservation.

    (The writer is a student of Patuakhali Science and Technology University and champion of National Environmental Writing Contest 2020. He can be reached at [email protected])