Staff Reporter:
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Tuesday said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the visionary of environment-friendly development in the country.
“Twenty years before the first Earth Summit held in Rio, Bangabandhu planned to protect the environment in newly independent Bangladesh. He promulgated ordinances to control water pollution. He also enacted laws to conserve wildlife and biodiversity in war-torn Bangladesh,” Saber said.
He was addressing a discussion organised by the ministry at the Department of Environment on “The historical leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the development of the country” marking Independence and National Day, read a press release.
“We have to express our gratitude to Bangabandhu by building Sonar Bangla, a happy, prosperous and serene environment of his dreams,” the minister said.
Bangabandhu united all people irrespective of caste and religion, and envisioned a democratic system as an alternative to the regime of Pakistan, he said.
“Even though Bangladesh is politically independent, we must continue our struggle for economic, social and cultural liberation. There can be no division in the interest of the country. For the development of the country, we must work together regardless of party affiliation.”
The discussion was presided over by Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Fahmida Khanom, Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation Chairman Md Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Managing Director Md Joynal Abedin, Department of Environment Director General Abdul Hamid, and Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury were present among others.
A film on the illustrious life and work of the Father of the Nation was screened on the occasion.
