DHAKA, Feb 14 (BSS) – The government is working on enactment of a law with a provision for imprisonment up to 10 years against air polluters aiming to ensure clean air for all.
The Department of Environment (DoE) with support from Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has already prepared a draft of the ‘Bangladesh Clean Air Bill-2019’, which was presented at function here today.
The draft bill suggests formulation of a national plan to give effect the standards and control measures and the best practices in the air quality management and monitoring to improve air quality.
In consultation with all stakeholders and based on standards and control measures, the DoE shall prepare the time-bound National Air Quality Management Plan within one year of the law coming into effect.
The proposed law has a provision to establish a 29-member advisory council with representatives from different ministries and departments to oversee and make recommendations on the implementation of the National Air Quality Management Plan.
There is a provision in the draft act for conducting research on air pollution. Once the new act comes into effect, the government shall strengthen scientific and technical research on air pollution prevention and control, and shall promote advance and suitable technologies for the prevention and control of air pollution.
Based on the research and studies, the government may adopt economic and technological policies and measures that are beneficial to the prevention and control of air pollution and to the improvement of air quality.
“We have already prepared the draft of the Clean Air Bill-2019 and hope that after necessary proceedings, we would be able to finalise it soon,” said DoE Director General Dr Sultan Ahmed.
While presenting the Draft Clean Air Bill, BELA Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan said it could not be possible to enforce the act with the existing manpower of the DoE.
“The DoE must have skilled manpower and more fund to implement the proposed act,” she said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said the government is committed to enacting the law to check air pollution.
“Various diseases, including cancer, are on the rise in the country,” he said.
As per its election manifesto, the government is taking various measures to check air pollution, he added.