Air pollution in the South Asian region is a growing concern that needs immediate response and solution to halt further deterioration of the environment of Bangladesh, said Environment and Forests Secretary Mihir Kanti Majumder yesterday.
He said management mechanisms, which have been implemented so far, cover various legal and non-legal measures involving strengthening firefighting capability and facilities and monitoring mechanisms at domestic level.
“However, the incidence of air pollution, especially through open burning, is still rampant and uncontrolled.”
The secretary said this as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 11th Intergovernmental Meeting (IG11) under Malé Declaration held at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
The fast growing countries of the region are using huge amount of coal for generation of power. Bangladesh would be the worst victim of trans-boundary air pollution due to its geographical location, he added.
The ministry of environment and forests is working together with the regional countries to help combat trans-boundary air pollution in line with the Malé Declaration, he said.
“I hope that the meeting will put forward some specific recommendations to enhance speedy implementation of the declaration,” he said.
Regional Director of UNEP Dr Young Woo Park said Malé Declaration is being considered as an example for South Asian regional cooperation. It provides a framework for South Asia to cooperate with the regional countries not only on air pollution issues, but also for environmental security.
The inaugural session was chaired by Director General of Department of Environment (DoE) Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan while former project director of Malé Declaration Project Quazi Sarwar Imtiaz Hashmi also spoke.
The participants from seven countries -- Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Iran -- took part in the programme which was organised by DoE in association with UNEP, RRC AP, SACEP, SIDA and SEI.