[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

Nature must be at centre of development

The youth must take the lead in protecting the environ-ment and nature, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the environment and water resources ministries, yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Nature must be at centre of development
Says Rizwana

File photo

The youth must take the lead in protecting the environ-ment and nature, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the environment and water resources ministries, yesterday.

She was addressing the 15th National Nature Summit, organised by the Notre Dame Nature Study Club at Notre Dame College in Dhaka.

Rizwana said the current development approach needs to change, as unsafe food and water are consequences of past mistakes.

"Nature must be at the centre of development. Protecting air, soil, and water is essential," she said.

Protection of nature is not just the government's responsibility but a duty of every citizen, she added.

"Small actions like planting trees, preserving water bodies, and reducing plastic pollution can significantly help in saving nature," she said, urging the youth to actively engage in combating climate change and safeguarding the environment.

She said environmental conservation is a fundamental human right that includes the rights of both humans and animals.

"We must develop a nature-centric mindset and avoid destroying what we cannot create. Simple steps like avoiding plastic bottles, and embracing sustainable lifestyles, can make a big difference," she said.​

 

[Saif]

Form commission to tackle environmental issues: Rehman Sobhan

Former caretaker government adviser professor Rehman Sobhan has attributed environmental degradation to unchecked profit motives and market dominance, urging the establishment of a dedicated commission to tackle these challenges.

www.newagebd.net

Form commission to tackle environmental issues: Rehman Sobhan
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 17 January, 2025, 16:58

Rehman Sobhan | UNB Photo

Former caretaker government adviser professor Rehman Sobhan has attributed environmental degradation to unchecked profit motives and market dominance, urging the establishment of a dedicated commission to tackle these challenges.

‘Environmental protection efforts are being hindered for the lack of proper enforcement of laws… I also called for urgent action to establish a commission dedicated to addressing environmental challenges,’ he said while inaugurating a special conference celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka on Friday.

Rehman Sobhan underscored the need for collective action and suggested forming a specialised commission to address the issue effectively.

BAPA president Nur Mohammad Talukdar chaired the inaugural session, while professor Nazrul Islam, BEN founder and BAPA vice-president, presented the keynote paper.

Other notable speakers included SAU vice-chancellor professor Md Abdul Latif, BEN global coordinator professor Md Khalequzzaman, BAPA vice-president Mostafizur Rahman, professor Md Shahidul Islam, general secretary Alamgir Kabir, treasurer Zakir Hossain, joint secretary Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder and social activist Khushi Kabir.

Professor Sobhan highlighted how the rising cost of land, driven by market economics, is leading to the encroachment of rivers, wetlands, and forests for housing development.

While acknowledging some initiatives already undertaken by the ministry of environment, he called for urgent action to establish a commission dedicated to addressing environmental challenges.

Praising the involvement of citizens in environmental movements, he noted that despite existing progressive laws, their implementation remained inadequate.

Pointing to the influence of unaccounted-for wealth as a contributing factor, he stressed the importance of unifying disparate environmental platforms to create collective pressure on the government.

Drawing attention to past development projects, he said that the Kaptai Hydropower Project, initially envisioned as a solution to the country’s energy crisis, failed to deliver on its promises. Instead, it displaced a significant population and caused severe environmental damage. ‘We must refrain from pursuing projects that harm the environment.’

In his keynote speech, professor Nazrul lauded BAPA and BEN for building a substantial repository of knowledge on environmental issues over the past 25 years.

He questioned whether any organisation, including the government, possesses comparable data, analysis, and recommendations.

Nazrul Islam, however, acknowledged the challenges of sustaining voluntary efforts and self-funded initiatives, calling for increased collaborative support.

BAPA president Nur reflected on the organisation’s achievements over its 25-year journey while noting gaps in creating a nationwide environmental movement.

He stressed the need to connect with grassroots communities affected by local environmental problems, many of whom remain unaware of BAPA’s initiatives.

Following the inaugural session, the conference proceeded with working sessions. The first session discussed ‘BAPA and Environmental Struggles: A Political Perspective,’ the second focused on ‘Rivers and Water Management’, and the third addressed ‘Air, Noise, Visual Pollution, and Waste Management’.

Environmental scientists, researchers and representatives from across the country attended the conference and shared insights and proposed solutions to the pressing environmental issues.​

 

[Saif]

Breathing death: The air that kills

Air pollution has become the biggest killer in Bangladesh, and it's not just some far-off statistic

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Breathing death: The air that kills

File photo: Palash Khan/Star

Every day, as we make our way to the office, we take the usual route through Tejgaon Satrasta or Karwan Bazar to reach Farmgate. Besides, we pass through Shahbagh and Banglamotor regularly.

These places, as many of us know, are some of the most polluted areas in Dhaka. We often feel as if we were walking through a scene from a futuristic dystopia, the smog thick enough to almost touch. And then, of course, there's the cigarette analogy. It's as if someone is lighting up another stick just by breathing in the air. But it's not nicotine -- just the toxic cloud that hangs over us every single day, particularly in winter.

Air pollution has become the biggest killer in Bangladesh, and it's not just some far-off statistic.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air's latest report (published in The Daily Star on January 18), air pollution is directly responsible for 102,456 deaths annually. That's more than the total number of fatalities caused by road accidents or diseases like tuberculosis.

And it's not just the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions -- children, especially, are bearing the brunt of this silent killer.

Every year, 5,258 children die due to lower respiratory infections caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5), tiny pollution particles that are small enough to enter the bloodstream.

File photo: Star

Then there are the heart disease-related deaths -- 29,920 of them. It's no surprise that ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are on the rise.

These diseases, along with pneumonia and lung cancer, are directly linked to the pollution in our air.

In total, we're talking about tens of thousands of people whose lives are shortened by this unseen menace.

But the impact doesn't stop there. Air pollution is also causing 900,485 preterm births every year. Imagine that: nearly a million babies born prematurely because the air they breathe is so toxic. The consequences are far-reaching, not only for the infants but for the entire healthcare system.

And this doesn't even touch on the millions of people who seek emergency care every year due to respiratory issues, nor the 263 million lost workdays, a number that hurts our already fragile economy.

The question, of course, is why. Why has air pollution reached these catastrophic levels in Dhaka and the surrounding areas? Well, let's start with the basics. Dhaka is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with the average air quality more than 15 times worse than the World Health Organization's recommended safe levels. It's a combination of several factors that come together to create this toxic environment.

File photo: Palash Khan/Star

Brick kilns are a leading contributor to the severe air pollution in major cities, particularly during the dry season, when these kilns are at full operation. The Department of Environment in 2019 said there are 7,707 brick kilns across Bangladesh, including 2,295 in Dhaka and 1,529 in Chattogram. They emit high levels of harmful particles and gases, significantly impacting air quality.

In cities like Narayanganj, where air quality deteriorates most during the peak kiln season, the AQI often exceeds 300, indicating "severely unhealthy" conditions.

Then, there's the relentless growth of the city.

Dhaka's rapid expansion has led to the proliferation of vehicles -- many of them old, poorly maintained, and emitting thick black smoke.

These vehicles are often inadequately regulated, and their emissions go unchecked.

Next, there's the unplanned construction work.

Piles of sand, bricks, and dust are kicked up into the air, contributing to the problem. While construction is essential to accommodate Dhaka's growing population, the lack of adequate measures to control dust and debris means that our lungs are bombarded with fine particles daily. On top of that, the burning of waste and industrial emissions add more pollutants to the air.

Then there's the impact of seasonal dust storms, often exacerbated by the rapid deforestation in surrounding areas. Pollution from neighbouring countries also finds its way to Dhaka, making the air even worse. It's not just a local problem -- it's a regional one, compounded by the lack of regional cooperation to tackle pollution.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Air pollution is not an inevitable by-product of urbanisation. We have the power to change this. A reduction in vehicle emissions, stricter enforcement of construction dust control measures, better waste management practices, and the introduction of cleaner technologies in factories and power plants are all essential steps. Moreover, the government must prioritise air quality, setting stricter pollution standards and ensuring that these regulations are enforced.

Real-time pollution monitoring, like the dashboard introduced at the recent CREA event, is also a crucial tool in combating air pollution. By making pollution levels more transparent, we can hold both the government and industries accountable for their role in the crisis.

If we act now, we could make a real difference. According to the CREA report, reducing pollution to meet national air quality standards could reduce deaths by 19 percent.

But meeting the WHO guidelines could save an astonishing 81,282 lives each year. We cannot afford to ignore this any longer.

Dhaka's air pollution is not a problem we can simply look away from. It is a crisis that demands immediate action from all levels of government, as well as from industries and individuals. It's time to breathe life back into our city.

We must demand change, for ourselves and for future generations. This is no longer a matter of inconvenience; it is a matter of survival. The government must take the lead, but we, too, must play our part in holding those responsible accountable. The longer we wait, the more lives we will lose. And those lives could have been ours.​

 

[Saif]

Miscreants cut down 50 trees of a garden in Bauphal

A local Shamsu Mia said that a group entered the garden of Bishweshwar Pal with six labourers around 7:00am on Saturday and cut down at least 50 trees, including chambal and mahogany

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Miscreants cut down 50 trees of a garden in Bauphal

Photo: Star

A group of miscreants cut down at least fifty trees in the garden of a local potter in Palpara area of Madanpura union in Patuakhali's Bauphal upazila.

A local Shamsu Mia said that a group entered the garden of Bishweshwar Pal with six labourers around 7:00am on Saturday and cut down at least 50 trees, including chambal and mahogany.

Later, when Bishweshwar Pal's son Shishir Pal first reported the incident on 999 and later contacted Bauphal Police Station, police arrived at the spot.

Sensing police presence, they fled the scene. Later, police seized the logs.

Tarun Pal, another son of Bisheshwar Pal, who is a handicrafts trader, said 1.35 acres of their land has been planted with various species trees.

In this garden Uttam and Gautam Ganguly illegally entered and tried to cut down the trees.

"When we informed the police, the police arrived at the scene and they fled. There are several cases against them with Bauphal Police Station, including drugs and weapons. Locals are fed up with their activities," he said.

Bauphal Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Sahabuddin Mia said after receiving the information, police went to the spot and found that many trees had already been cut down.

"We prohibited Uttam Ganguly's people from cutting down the trees and ordered them to come to the police station with their documents. But he did not show up. Legal action will be taken against Uttam if a written complaint is received," he said.

Shishir Pal said that preparations were underway to file a complaint against Uttam and Gautam Ganguly with Bauphal Police Station on the charges of cutting down trees.

Meanwhile, Rafiqul Alam, the divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Movement, has expressed concern over the anti-environmental activities by cutting down half a hundred trees.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to take strict measures to prevent hill-cutting across country: Rizwana

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the government will take strict measures to prevent hill and hillock cutting across the country, including Chattogram. “For this, forest mapping is being carried out using advanced technology, and regular patrolling will be introduced to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt to take strict measures to prevent hill-cutting across country: Rizwana
UNB
Published :
Jan 18, 2025 21:47
Updated :
Jan 18, 2025 21:47

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the government will take strict measures to prevent hill and hillock cutting across the country, including Chattogram.

“For this, forest mapping is being carried out using advanced technology, and regular patrolling will be introduced to stop hill cutting," she made the remarks on Saturday evening while speaking at a discussion meeting held at the Circuit House in Chattogram with officials from the Forest Department, Department of Environment, BFRI, BFIDC, and Water Development Board.

Anyone involved in hill cutting will face stringent action, she added.

The adviser also directed the authorities concerned to swiftly develop action plans to curb brick kilns, noise pollution, and the use of polythene shopping bags.

She instructed that effective measures must be taken within the next month.

Emphasising the importance of government department coordination and active participation of local communities in environmental protection, she urged the need for joint efforts by public institutions and citizens to safeguard natural resources.

She stressed the importance of halting deforestation, ensuring sustainable water management, and taking effective steps to address climate change challenges.

The meeting discussed the ongoing activities and future plans of various departments to protect Chattogram’s environment and biodiversity.

The adviser provided guidance to the relevant officials and underscored the need for monitoring progress in field-level operations.​

 

[Saif]

Air pollution now a health emergency

The fact that Dhaka's air is among the most polluted in the world does not shock its citizens any more, as it is regularly reported in the media. Whenever something, however dangerous, happens repeatedly, it becomes normal to the public. But becoming normal in public perception does not make someth

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Air pollution now a health emergency
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jan 19, 2025 21:58
Updated :
Jan 19, 2025 21:58

The fact that Dhaka's air is among the most polluted in the world does not shock its citizens any more, as it is regularly reported in the media. Whenever something, however dangerous, happens repeatedly, it becomes normal to the public. But becoming normal in public perception does not make something as deadly as air pollution less harmful to public health. On the contrary, the source of the hazard, in the present case, polluted and toxic air, only gets further worse and at a stage reaches a tipping point. A recent study by a non-profit body, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), based in Helsinki, Finland, has come up with new findings about the fatal impact of polluted air on public health in Bangladesh. The findings of the study, titled, "Public Health Impacts of Fine Particle Air Pollution in Bangladesh" released at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday (January 18), revealed that particulate matter of size PM2.5 (fine dust particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller) in the air is the main culprit that caused the fatalities. The microparticles in the air enters the lungs and bloodstream of people through inhalation of the polluted air.

The research think tank, CREA, reported that every year about 102, 456 people succumb to PM2.5-contaminated air in Bangladesh. The diseases and medical conditions caused by the PM2.5 include ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections and cancer. Those most vulnerable are the young children as annually some 5,258 of them die of lower respiratory infections due to inhalation of PM2.5 contaminated air. Bangladesh ranks 5th globally in terms of under-5 child mortality due to air pollution. According to the fifth edition of the State of Global Air Report, published in 2024, out of the 236,000 lives lost to air pollution in 2021, the number of under-five children was 19,000. As the report further informed, air pollution was the leading cause of death in Bangladesh. That means death due to air pollution was higher than those caused by the medical conditions like high blood pressure, poor diets, etc. However, it is not for the first time that similar researches and alarming findings on diseases and deaths attributable to air pollution have been reported. The World Bank, it may be recalled, reported that air pollution was behind 78,145 to 88,229 deaths in Bangladesh in 2019. Similar reports and studies related to air pollution and its impact on the health of different segments of the population such as children, pregnant women, people with various medical conditions have been published in the media from time to time. The fatalities due to air pollution are no fewer compared to those caused by communicable diseases like diarrhoea or the one that struck terror in society, the Covid-19, or the recently reported human metapnemovirus (HMPV) that is a matter of huge concern globally.

The public, too, have been expressing serious concern about these communicable diseases. There is no question that the public's anxiety about any new or old contagious disease is well placed and that they need to be sufficiently informed about if any person has been infected by such diseases, or if adequate measures have been adopted by the public health authorities to bring the infection under control. Unfortunately, the same level of concern among the public or at the government level is absent when it comes to the sickness or even fatalities from air pollution. One reason may be that the types of sickness air pollution cause cannot be immediately traced back to air pollution. In fact, there are multiple factors behind the medical conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory infections, cancer, etc. In consequence, neither doctors, nor victims (of air pollution) care to go into the historical details of how the patient developed her/his medical condition in the first place.

If they (patients and doctors) are at all aware, general attitude towards the issue is rather fatalistic. That is because people think air pollution is caused by human actions that are beyond the control of both patients and doctors. But it need not be the case. The task of changing the prevailing mindset primarily lies on the government and non-government agencies working on the problem of air pollution. They should launch a massive awareness raising campaign among the public and, especially among the medical professionals. One might recall here the kind of campaign that was in force during the pandemic years. The public at that time would eagerly respond to the publicity requesting people to wear face mask, use hand sanitisers and follow other health protocols. Given the alarming report on air pollution-related fatalities in Bangladesh by CREA, all concerned need to take it seriously and begin to act accordingly.

When it comes to tackling the problem of air pollution at the source, the issue cannot be left to the traditional enforcement agencies including those under the department of environment alone. All sections of the population including those already suffering from air pollution-related diseases and the medical professionals in particular should be at the forefront of the campaign to put pressure on the organisations doing construction works, authorities looking after road transport and traffic to heavily penalise and, where necessary, completely ban from the roads vehicles releasing dirty fumes in the atmosphere. One may recall at this point that in 2023, Bangladesh was ranked the most polluted country in the world. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in the air at 79.9 micrograms per cubic metre was more than twice the national standard at 35 micrograms/cubic metre.

But that figure was extremely high compared to accepted level of concentration according to WHO guidelines at 5.0 micrograms/cubic metre. The government and all other agencies involved must work together to bring down the PM2.5 concentrations in the air as close to WHO guideless as possible. In this connection, real-time monitoring of the pollution levels at the major construction sites, polluting industries, traffic points in the country should start forthwith. In this connection, the CREA report, further informed that by reducing PM2.5 pollution level in line with WHO's standards, Bangladesh could save 81,282 lives annually and, at the same time, significantly reduce the number of patients afflicted with asthma, preterm births and other such medical conditions. All these facts should act as the driving motive behind combating PM2.5-related pollution in the air.​

 

[Saif]

Netherlands pledges support for Bangladesh’s environmental challenges

André Carstens, head of Mission of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, met with Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan at her office in the Secretariat today

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Netherlands pledges support for Bangladesh’s environmental challenges

André Carstens, head of Mission of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, met with Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan at her office in the Secretariat today.

During the meeting, both parties discussed avenues for collaboration in addressing Bangladesh's pressing environmental challenges and water management priorities.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted the critical need for assistance in mitigating saline intrusion in coastal areas, which severely affects local livelihoods. She also emphasised the importance of resolving waterlogging issues in regions like Bhabodaho and Bil Dakatia, while seeking support for river dredging and cleanup initiatives.

Additionally, she called for Dutch cooperation in constructing Musapur Regulator in Noakhali. She also sought cooperation in environmental programmes such as a Dhaka University student-led cleanup initiative and efforts to tackle noise pollution.

Special attention was sought for protecting erosion-prone areas in Sylhet, particularly along the Surma river.

The Netherlands has been a longstanding partner in addressing our environmental challenges. Their expertise can significantly contribute to achieving our national goals, she stated.

André Carstens reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in its environmental and water management efforts.​

 

[Saif]

How long before the environmental pledges are honoured?

Save the forests at Netrakona's Durgapur and Kalmakanda

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How long before the environmental pledges are honoured?
Save the forests at Netrakona's Durgapur and Kalmakanda

VISUAL: STAR

Words alone cannot express our frustration over the relentless destruction of forests, rivers, and hills. Despite repeated appeals from environmentalists, the devastation continues unchecked, even when there is a so-called pro-environment government in place. Illegal logging and encroachment by powerful quarters have already erased or degraded many of our natural and reserve forests over the past decades. Among them are the forests of Durgapur and Kalmakanda upazilas in Netrakona—adjacent to the Garo Hills of Mymensingh—that have long been plundered right under the nose of local authorities.

A recent report by this daily paints a grim picture of these forests. It cites local residents who allege that the authorities have not only turned a blind eye to illegal logging and encroachment but, in some cases, forest officials have themselves colluded with those responsible. These once-thriving ecosystems—home to over 100 wild species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and hanuman langurs, and rich with indigenous trees like Segun, Gazari, Sal, Jarul, and Shirish—have now been reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. The introduction of harmful exotic species in the forests has worsened the problem. Human-elephant conflicts, driven by habitat destruction, have also intensified.

This pattern of deforestation is not new. Over the years, many forests have been cleared not just by unscrupulous individuals but also by government agencies—for housing projects, football training centres, roads, etc. Data from the Divisional Forest Office in Mymensingh reveals a dramatic decline in forest cover across the division, including parts of Jamalpur, Sherpur, and Netrakona. Once spanning over 71,000 acres, including 38,911 acres of reserved forest, Mymensingh alone has lost 24,895 acres to encroachment in the past three decades. This is deeply concerning.

If deforestation continues at this pace, we will soon have too little forestland left to sustain the ecological balance necessary for our survival. Moreover, we risk failing to meet our commitment to halt deforestation by 2030 under the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use. The fast-worsening climate crisis will only magnify the consequences of this neglect.

We, therefore, urge the interim government to take decisive steps to stop illegal logging and encroachment and to restore our forest ecosystems. Since taking office, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has made numerous pledges about environmental protection. It's time to turn those promises into action.​

 

[Saif]

Politics has ‘weaponised’ science

The UN’s climate chief yesterday said that the science of global warming had been “weaponised” by politics, a day after Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement.

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Politics has ‘weaponised’ science
Says UN climate chief after Trump orders US withdrawal from Paris Agreement

The UN's climate chief yesterday said that the science of global warming had been "weaponised" by politics, a day after Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement.

Simon Stiell said that shifting geopolitical events could not change the hard facts that underpin climate change and the disastrous consequences linked to a warming planet.

Last year was the hottest on record. Stiell said that support for climate science was "far, far more significant than those few voices that challenge" it.

"The science has actually been weaponised, and again that is reflective of the politics," he told an audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos.​

 

[Saif]

Billionaire Bloomberg to fund UN climate body after US withdrawal

Bloomberg's intervention aims to ensure the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) remains fully funded

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Billionaire Bloomberg to fund UN climate body after US withdrawal

File photo

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday that his foundation will step in to fund the UN climate change body after President Donald Trump declared the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement for the second time.

Bloomberg's intervention aims to ensure the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) remains fully funded despite the United States halting its contributions.

The United States typically provides 22 percent of the UNFCCC secretariat's budget, with the body's operating costs for 2024-2025 projected at 88.4 million euros ($96.5 million).

"From 2017 to 2020, during a period of federal inaction, cities, states, businesses, and the public rose to the challenge to uphold our nation's commitments -- and now, we are ready to do it again," Bloomberg, who serves as the UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, said in a statement.

This marks the second time Bloomberg has stepped in to fill the gap left by US federal disengagement.

In 2017, following the Trump administration's first withdrawal from the Paris accord, Bloomberg pledged up to $15 million to support the UNFCCC.

He also launched "America's Pledge," an initiative to track and report US non-federal climate commitments, ensuring the world could monitor US progress as if it were still a fully committed party to the Paris Agreement.

Bloomberg reiterated his commitment to upholding US reporting obligations this time as well.

"Contributions like this are vital in enabling the UN Climate Change secretariat to support countries in fulfilling their commitments under the Paris Agreement and advancing a low-emission, resilient, and safer future for all," said UN climate chief Simon Stiell.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh must switch to hollow blocks to reduce pollution

Clay bricks cost Tk 12 per piece. A hollow block, which is four times larger than a clay brick, is priced at Tk 50.

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Bangladesh must switch to hollow blocks to reduce pollution
Says Concord Group Managing Director Shahriar Kamal

Clay bricks cost Tk 12 per piece. A hollow block, which is four times larger than a clay brick, is priced at Tk 50.

This price difference suggests a competitive edge for clay bricks in the construction market.

But the true cost of traditional bricks extends far beyond their purchase price.

Overlooked factors include Dhaka's frequent ranking as one of the world's most polluted cities. This severe air pollution, largely caused by brick kilns, is responsible for a tragically shortened lifespan for many people.

"This cannot continue," said Shahriar Kamal, managing director of the construction conglomerate Concord Group, in an interview with The Daily Star. "To reduce pollution, we need to switch to green alternatives as soon as possible."

Kamal's firm has been producing concrete and hollow blocks since 1998.

They built the 17-acre Lake City Concord township in Dhaka entirely without using a single clay brick. This township comprises 14 buildings, each rising to 16 storeys.

Given the longstanding reliance on clay bricks in the local construction sector, questions naturally arise regarding the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and urgency of transitioning to hollow blocks.

Traditional brick kilns extract clay by stripping topsoil from fertile lands, resulting in an annual loss of around 1 percent of the country's arable land.

This practice not only devastates agricultural productivity but also involves the burning of vast amounts of coal and wood, releasing harmful particulates and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

"The process is unsustainable," said Kamal. "As construction demand increases each year, the environmental toll intensifies."

In contrast, hollow blocks are manufactured using a more sustainable approach. They are produced with materials such as fly ash, cement, and other industrial by-products. This process does not require burning, as the blocks are simply dried.

According to Kamal, hollow blocks are lighter but have superior strength. Therefore, they are suitable for construction in earthquake-prone regions like Bangladesh.

"Buildings constructed with hollow blocks are much lighter than those built with traditional bricks," he explained. "This reduced weight offers an advantage during earthquakes, minimising the risk of collapse and subsequent casualties."

According to the Managing Director of Concord Group, although hollow blocks offer many advantages, the adoption rate of eco-friendly bricks remains low. Only 5-8 percent of bricks currently in use are eco-friendly.

For the slow shift, he said a lack of awareness among builders, insufficient training for construction workers in the use of these blocks, and a strong entrenched preference for traditional bricks are responsible.

"Many workers are not familiar with how to work with these blocks," said Kamal. "For example, traditional bricks require soaking before use, whereas hollow blocks are installed dry."

"We arranged training for the workers several times," he said, "but this effort needs to be scaled up with government support to ensure nationwide adoption."

Kamal acknowledged that cost is another barrier to the widespread adoption of eco-friendly bricks.

"While eco-friendly bricks may have a slightly higher initial cost compared to traditional bricks, they offer long-term savings," he commented. "Proper planning and mindful design can reduce overall construction costs by about 15 percent."

In 2020, the government announced a policy to replace traditional bricks with eco-friendly blocks in all public projects. This policy aimed to achieve a 10 percent adoption rate in fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, with a gradual phasing out of clay bricks by FY25.

However, slack monitoring and enforcement have hindered progress towards these ambitious goals.

"Implementation is key," Kamal stressed. "We need strong inter-ministerial coordination, led by the Ministry of Environment, to oversee the implementation of these policies. Regulatory bodies like Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) must also play a crucial role by enforcing these targets in private-sector construction projects."

He pointed to successful examples from countries like China and India, where the adoption of eco-friendly bricks has been accelerated through a combination of financial incentives, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns.

Kamal said their facilities have the capacity to manufacture 200,000 eco-friendly bricks, blocks, and tiles every eight hours. But, without enough demand, they cannot operate at full capacity.

He called for a range of policy measures to stimulate demand, including financial incentives for manufacturers of eco-friendly building materials and penalties on polluting industries to ensure accountability.

"The polluters must pay," he commented.

"This isn't just about bricks," he said. "It's about rethinking how we build our cities and protect our people. Change is difficult, but it is necessary — and it begins with each of us."

Currently, the size of the traditional brick industry is around Tk 9,000 crore, while the concrete block market is only at Tk 200 crore.

Bangladesh produces an estimated 2,300 crore bricks annually. Concrete blocks currently account for a relatively small share of this market, constituting roughly 6-7 percent of the total.

There are 164 registered factories producing concrete blocks, with an annual production capacity of 214 crore blocks. However, considering the unregistered factories, the total number is more than 250.

Kamal said the concrete block market is projected to capture up to 50 percent of the market share by 2030, due mainly to government policies and a steadily increasing demand for sustainable building materials.

He said large-scale factories have heavily invested in automated production units, often imported from China, with typical investments ranging from Tk 30-Tk 50 crore. Mid-sized factories have also invested in modernising their production lines, with typical investments ranging from Tk 5-Tk 6 crore.

Major industry players, including Concord, Mir Group, BTI, and Meghna, currently collectively control nearly 20 percent of the hollow block market.​

 

[Saif]

Thousands of trees 'felled' from Moheshkhali forest

Trees felled under the pretext of an auction citing Cyclone Hamoon damage

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Thousands of trees 'felled' from Moheshkhali forest
Trees felled under the pretext of an auction citing Cyclone Hamoon damage

Photo: Star

Thousands of trees have allegedly been felled from the hilly forests of Dineshpur in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar, under the pretext of an auction following Cyclone Hamoon, that struck the upazila in October 2023.

Local groups, reportedly in collaboration with members of the Coastal Afforestation Department, are accused of clearing the forest beyond the authorised scope of the auction.

Environmental activists claim this auction provided an opportunity for widespread deforestation.

The Coastal Forest Department had auctioned 920 cyclone-damaged trees around four months ago.

Rakib Hasan, an environmental activist and student representative from Shaplapur, said, "Dineshpur forest was once a natural forest rich in biodiversity. The forest department destroyed that biodiversity by planting acacia trees. Now, under the guise of auctioning cyclone-damaged trees, they have allowed the plundering of thousands of trees."

He alleged that forest department staff were complicit in the irregularities and demanded punishment for those involved.

Activists also reported that the group responsible for the tree felling constructed an unpaved road, approximately 2.5 to 3km long, by cutting through hills to transport the felled trees.

"They could have left the forest to recover naturally, but instead, they created a way to loot the forest," Rakib said.

Journalist and environmental activist Faruq Azam claimed that tree felling has been ongoing for over a month. "We saw many unmarked tree roots where tree leaves were dumped to conceal the scale of the felling," he said, adding that the construction of the road further deformed the hills.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad said the department had auctioned 920 marked acacia trees to prevent locals from stealing fallen trees for firewood.

"We have sent a team to investigate the allegations. If the beat officer and auction owners are found guilty, action will be taken," he said.

Shefayet Ullah, one of the four tender owners, denied any wrongdoing, saying that they only felled marked trees and levelled the water stream for transport rather than building a new road.​