Rizwana: Government Plans to Procure Modern Tools to Tackle Air Pollution

Adviser to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the interim government has decided to purchase modern equipment to clean the waste and roads of the city corporations as part of the move to check air pollution. 

“We have also decided to formulate short, mid and long term work plans to prevent air pollution,” she said.

The adviser was presiding over the second meeting of the taskforce formed to formulate work plans and execute programmes to check air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas at her ministry office at Secretariat here. 

The meeting has decided to plant environment friendly trees in the open places, she said. 

Rizwana, also Water Resources Adviser said they have also decided to form a committee with representatives from city corporations, department of forests, department of environment, department of housing and public works, armed forces division and Dhaka metropolitan police (DMP) for the tree plantations. 

“A pilot project has been taken to cover the bare places of Dhaka North and South, Narayanganj and Gazipur City Corporations with grasses”, she said.  

The adviser said youth representatives and civil society personnel will be entrusted with taking care of the trees and the best caretakers of the trees will get stimulus on the basis on annual evaluation.

Dhaka North and South City Corporation will sprinkle water on roads two times every day to check dust pollution, she said, adding that the schedule of removing solid waste and sweeping the roads will be fixed to address the sufferings of the city dwellers.

The meeting has also decided to carry sand in packets instead of an open truck, she said. 

The adviser said they will ensure use of blocks instead of bricks in all the public constructions except construction of roads by 2025. 

Required legal action will be taken against those who burn waste in open places, she said. 

The policy to include a chapter on citizen awareness and their role to check air pollution in the textbooks and scrapping will be finalized, she said, adding that instruction of giving sermons on cleanliness during Jummah prayers on Friday in mosques across the country will also be given.