According to government data, air pollution claims over 100,000 lives annually in the country. Industrial waste contaminates rivers that millions depend on for drinking water and fishing. At the same time, climate change intensifies the vulnerability of ecologically sensitive areas.
Bangladesh needs a decisive shift in environmental governance, moving from weak oversight and politically influenced clearances toward a transparent and accountable system, the country’s environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said. Speaking at a World Bank seminar on Saturday, Rizwana stressed that environmental enforcement must become fearless, data-driven, and rooted in public participation if Bangladesh is to secure a sustainable future.
The seminar, titled “Strengthening Environmental Regulatory and Enforcement Capacity for a Sustainable Bangladesh”, brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and World Bank officials to address deep-rooted flaws in Bangladesh’s environmental clearance system. Rizwana’s remarks drew attention to widespread malpractices, particularly the routine granting of site clearances to industries and infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas, often under political or commercial pressure.
Call to End Faulty Clearances
Rizwana Hasan, who also serves as chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), argued that faulty environmental clearances have become one of the country’s biggest governance failures. “Site clearances for waste dumping centres in flood flow zones are irresponsible and legally flawed,” she warned, pointing to recent cases where the Department of Environment (DoE) approved projects in areas crucial for water flow and biodiversity.
She called on officials to resist political pressure, even if it meant transfers or career risks. “If you cannot perform your duties, then be transferred – but do not compromise the environment,” she declared.
According to Rizwana, the clearance process is too often opaque and riddled with conflicts of interest. She proposed that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of red-category industries – such as dyeing units, cement factories, and brick kilns – be published online, along with objections raised by affected communities. “Public objections must be taken seriously. Citizens have a right to know, and their concerns should influence decisions,” she said.
Enforcement Beyond Fines
Rizwana insisted that enforcement cannot be limited to collecting fines, which often allow polluters to continue harmful practices as long as they can afford penalties. Instead, she urged the DoE to prioritize transparency, community empowerment, and alternatives for industries. “Enforcement is not just about punishment. It is about changing behaviour and building accountability,” she said.
She proposed digital innovations to strengthen enforcement, including an online complaint portal and a mobile app to track cases of pollution, encroachment, and clearance violations. Such tools, she argued, would allow citizens to monitor government action and reduce scope for political interference.
Naming and Shaming Polluters
In a bold statement, Rizwana said polluters should be publicly exposed. “Publish the names of polluters online. When information is accessible, citizens will support enforcement against political pressure,” she noted. She also criticized the practice of awarding national honors to companies with poor compliance records. She cited a ceramic factory that received a prestigious award despite repeated fines and lack of clearance, calling it a dangerous precedent. “Polluters must be exposed, not celebrated,” she said.
Strengthening Local and Institutional Capacity
The adviser emphasized that environmental enforcement requires coordination beyond the DoE. Local administrations, including deputy commissioners and municipal authorities, must play an active role in monitoring encroachments and curbing illegal industries. She cited forestland encroachment and unauthorized industrial activities as urgent challenges that demand stronger collaboration between central regulators and local governments.
Her remarks also touched on the chronic underfunding and understaffing of the DoE. With just a few hundred officers overseeing thousands of industries across Bangladesh, enforcement has often been reduced to sporadic drives rather than consistent monitoring. “Proper budgeting and planning are essential if enforcement is to target hotspots like dyeing industries, brickfields, and cement plants,” she stressed.
The seminar drew participation from senior World Bank officials and Bangladeshi experts who echoed Rizwana’s concerns. Jean Pesme, the World Bank’s division director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasized that environmental sustainability is integral to the country’s economic growth strategy. “Bangladesh has made remarkable development gains, but sustaining them requires bold action on pollution control and climate resilience,” he said.
Public Health and Climate Stakes
The urgency of Rizwana’s call is underscored by Bangladesh’s worsening environmental indicators. According to government data, air pollution claims over 100,000 lives annually in the country. Industrial waste contaminates rivers that millions depend on for drinking water and fishing. At the same time, climate change intensifies the vulnerability of ecologically sensitive areas, where faulty clearances often open the door for further degradation.
Experts argue that unless environmental governance is reformed, Bangladesh’s progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs) could be derailed. “This is not just an environmental issue. It is about public health, food security, and our children’s future,” Rizwana warned.
Toward a Sustainable Bangladesh
The seminar concluded with a set of recommendations: digitising clearance and enforcement processes, creating legal safeguards against politically motivated approvals, empowering local administrations, and ensuring public access to information. Rizwana reiterated that without accountability, the DoE risks becoming “a clearinghouse for destruction rather than a guardian of nature.”
She urged officials to embrace bold reforms and citizens to remain vigilant. “We must change the culture of impunity. Our rivers, forests, and air are not bargaining chips. They are the foundation of life in Bangladesh,” she said.
