The Government of Bangladesh has announced three key measures — banning new brick kilns around Dhaka, phasing out old buses, and introducing electric vehicles (EVs) in a significant push to combat climate change and urban air pollution, according to a press release.
Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, made the announcement during a dialogue titled “Manifesto Talk: Youth, Environment and Climate,” held at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event also marked the launch of the Youth Climate Coalition.
“We want development, but not at the cost of nature,” said Rizwana Hasan, criticizing harmful urban practices such as filling water bodies, cutting hills, and poor waste management. She called for environmentally respectful planning and stressed that citizens also bear responsibility in protecting the environment—urging the use of jute or cloth bags instead of polythene.
She also proposed three model waste management projects for Dhaka North and South City Corporations, advocating biodegradable and recyclable practices and the immediate ban of single-use plastics. Addressing recent fires at Aminbazar and Matuail landfills, she warned they pose serious public health risks, including increased lung cancer.
Rizwana Hasan appealed to the youth to stay committed to climate action and national integrity, urging them to avoid greed, power lust, and corruption.
On the subject of tree conservation, she firmly stated, “Old trees must not be cut in the name of road expansion.” She praised collaborative efforts between the Forest Department and Public Works Department to redesign the National Museum without harming existing trees.
She further revealed that Eucalyptus and Akashmoni trees have been banned due to environmental harm, with a new emphasis on eco-friendly species.
Speakers at the event included Mohammad Azaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation; Ziaul Haque, Director of the Department of Environment; and Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Professor at Stamford University.
Over 300 youth climate activists and senior political leaders participated in the event. Party representatives pledged to prioritize climate and environmental issues in their upcoming election manifestos.
The Manifesto Talk was jointly organized by 16 youth-led organizations under the newly formed Youth Climate Coalition, signaling a growing movement to elevate youth voices in national environmental policy-making.
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