The government on Monday decided to prohibit the establishment of any new industrial ventures within 10-kilometre of the periphery of Sundarban reserved forest which is an Ecologically Critical Area.聽
The decision was taken at the 16th meeting of the executive committee of the National Environment and Climate Change Committee held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the secretariat with ministry adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan in chair.
As per the decision, the environment and forest ministry would soon issue a gazette notification in this regard, said a press release.
At the meeting, some previous decisions taken by the 2017 National
Environment Committee and its 2021 executive committee were revised to strengthen the environmental protection of Sundarban.
A neutral team of experts will assess the environmental impact of the existing industrial units on Sundarban along with the 10km area surrounding its periphery, which entirely has already been declared an ECA by the government. Following the assessment and subject to court directives, further decisions regarding these establishments will be taken.
The committee also decided to amend the Climate Change Trust Rules, allowing joint project proposals by government agencies, private organisations and non-governmental organisations.
It also decided that opinions from all ministries would be sought to develop a future action plan to combat noise pollution.
An increase in the enforcement budget of the environment ministry will also be proposed to introduce and increase risk allowances for Forest Department employees.
Decisions were also taken to ensure the use of construction blocks in at least 30 per cent building construction work in both the public and private sectors by 2025. A secretary level coordination meeting will be held in May in this regard.
Fahmida Khanom, the ministry鈥檚 additional secretary (environment), also the committee鈥檚 member secretary, was present at the meeting, among others.