Mongla, Sept 28 (V7N) – State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has said the government plans to promote the use of environmentally friendly blocks instead of bricks in rural areas to reduce environmental damage.
He also called for an end to corruption, poison fishing in the Sundarbans and the use of polythene and plastic, warning that such practices are harmful to people and the environment.
The state minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme for distributing various items among underprivileged people at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Mongla on Sunday afternoon.
“We have decided that environmentally friendly blocks will be used instead of bricks in rural areas in the future,” Faridul Islam said. He stressed the need to reduce brick production and use while increasing the use of blocks.
Speaking about corruption, he said people should not expect religious practices to compensate for wrongdoing. “If you engage in corruption, prayer will be of no benefit,” he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the use of poison to catch fish in the Sundarbans, describing the practice as particularly harmful.
He said forest officials would be held accountable if poison fishing was detected in their respective areas and warned that those involved in such activities would face action.
The minister also urged people to refrain from killing wildlife and to help protect the Sundarbans and its biodiversity. His comments come as authorities have recently intensified efforts to stop poison fishing in the Sundarbans and instructed officials to take strict measures against the practice.
Faridul Islam said arrangements had been made for the first time to provide healthcare services to fishermen living in Dublar Char through a floating hospital and a water ambulance.
He also called for an end to the use of polythene and plastic, saying pollution from these materials is harming both people and the Sundarbans.
The government has separately been promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional bricks and has called for stronger measures against polythene and plastic pollution.
Among those present at the programme were Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi, Upazila BNP President Abdul Mannan Howlader, General Secretary Abu Hossain Poni, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Mongla Police Station Manik Chandra Gain, Upazila Social Services Officer S M Masud Rana, Upazila Engineer Nabidul Islam, Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Ishrat Jahan and Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md Moniruzzaman.
END/AHS/SMA/
