Key Environmental Issues in Bangladesh Md Abdus Samad

Key Environmental Issues in Bangladesh Md. Abdus Samad Director & Mirza Shawkat Ali Deputy Director Department of Environment 5 October 2006

Chronological milestone events towards creation of Do. E and its development in phases 1972 Stockholm Conference 1973 Promulgation of water pollution control ordinance (empowers Department of Public Health Engineering to take action on water pollution control) 1977 Creation of Environment Pollution Control Cell

Chronological milestone events towards creation of Do. E and its development in phases 1978 Cell undertakes Environment Pollution Control Project with 118 manpower 1985 Cell and project merges, transfers into revenue and retains only 70 manpower 1989 Creation of Department of Environment with Director General as Head of the Department with total manpower of 173 1992 Earth Summit at Rio The First National Environment Policy declared

Chronological milestone events towards creation of Do. E and its development in phases 1995 2000 Promulgation of Environment Conservation Act NEMAP Promulgation of Environment Conservation Rules SEMP Promulgation of Environment Court Act 2001 Creation of Barisal & Sylhet Divisional Office 2002 WSSD at Johannesburg 2004 Govt. sanctions additional 53 manpower, total manpower rises to 244 1997

What People expects from Do. E Conserving environment q Enhancing the quality of Environment q Controlling & reducing pollution q Blending environment & development together towards achieving sustainable development q

How Do. E Performs It operates through Divisional Offices at the field level Activities include: q Routine activities q Special activities / program q Implementation of development projects q Activities relating to Global and Regional Environment Program, Conventions, Protocol & Treaties q Advisory Services q Awareness Raising

Key Routine Activities q Monitoring of ambient environment (Surface water, ground water, air) q Surveillance of potable water quality q Survey & identification of polluting industries q Undertake activities for pollution control of the identified polluting industries q Assessment of Application for issuance of Environment Clearance q Mobile courts for polluting vehicles

Key Routine Activities (Contd. ) q Anti polythene shopping bag campaign q Activities relating to pollution control from brick kilns q Review of Government/non-government projects and suggest appropriate environment enhancement / mitigation measures q Review of IEE, EIA/EMP reports q Investigation against complaints q Awareness raising activities

Special Programmes q Pilot programmes on Industrial pollution control at Madhahdi and Belkuchi q Declaration of eight Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs); q Noise pollution campaign q Dhaka Environment Program q Medical waste management

List of ICTP’s which Do. E Looks After = = = = BASEL Convention UNFCCC = Kyoto Protocol Montreal Protocol UNCCD Stockholm Convention Rotterdam Convention UN CBD = Cartagena Protocol

Regional Programmes SAARC n SACEP n

Milestone achievements q q q Data bank on air quality for the last 3 years Phasing out of 2 stroke 3 wheelers Import of lead free gasoline Reduction of Sulfur content in diesel Introduction of CNG vehicle Installation of CAMS at Dhaka and Chittagong

Milestone achievements (Contd. ) l l l 120 ft. chimney of 80% of the brick kilns Completion of inventories of POP’s Pesticide and Chemicals (POPs phaseout) Establishment of Climate Cell at Do. E Establishment of Ozone Cell at Do. E National Adaptation Program Action (NAPA) completed and 15 priority project identified

Milestone achievements (Contd. ) l l Establishment of Designated National Authority for CDM projects Preparation of National Phase-out plan for Ozone Depleting Substances Preparation of Environment Curricula under SEMP Winning different prestigious positions in different convention/ Protocol bodies

Current Projects = = = = BEISP AQMP CWBMP National Bio-safety Frame work Climate Change Cell ODS Phaseout projects POPs Project Implementation of Malé declaration

Vision n Ensure Environmental Sustainability of the Country, by ensuring Sustainable Resource Management n Conservation of Environment taking into consideration of balanced economic development of the country. n

Specific Activities to attain the expect goals n n Development of a Comprehensive Enforcement and Compliance Regime Specific Activities n n All Large and medium Size Industries to have functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) (on going) Practice ISO 14001 (to start with Environment Management System) in large and medium industries Awareness raising for Small Industrial units for better environmental management Re-drafting ECA to cater the present and future needs

n Air Pollution Control n n n Replacement of Existing Traditional Brick Kilns by Energy Efficient Brick Kilns and Total Replacement of existing traditional bricks with concrete hollow bricks Emission testing will be the integral part of getting the fitness certificate for vehicles Enforce carrying of construction materials in covered vehicles Enforcement of Covered Construction work Awareness raising program for lessening the indoor air pollution.

n Climate Change n n Support to Private Sector to use efficient and cleaner technology, with the support of Annex I parties to the UNFCCC (Tech Transfer or under CDM proj. ) Climate Change Cell established. Improve existing modeling capacity of prediction of Climate Impact on Agriculture, fisheries, livelihoods, infrastructure etc (PRECIS/on going) Mainstream Climate Change issues into the development process (on going/focal points)

n Sound Management of Chemicals Proper Institutional system in place for better control on Chemicals import, transportation and handling for reducing impacts on health and env. n Ensure proper follow-up of guidelines while using n n industrial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. n Help Ministry of Health to establish Chemical Treatment Centre alongside Burn Units in Government Hospitals.

Constraints of Do. E l l l l Limited manpower Capacity Building Budget limitation Lack of transport for field work No office at district level No legal support Not much incentive for career officers

Way forward l l l Implementation of Do. E/BEMP strategic action Plan Increased Manpower to cater the need of future requirement Do. E officers to be en-cadered

Thank you