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BANGLADESH has been ranked 125th in the 2006 Pilot Environmental Performance Index. The Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University and the Centre for International Earth Science Information Network prepared this index on the basis of performance of each country in the area of environmental protection. The report found mostly European countries in the higher rank as they performed well in protecting the environment with policy measures. But Bangladesh, as usual, is at the bottom position for its low level performance.
There is no way to contradict the report. We have a number of environment related policies; but the environment is not a priority in any work of the public and the private sectors. We have a Environment Policy, a National Action Plan and so on but, I believe, the department concerned under the Ministry of Forest and Environment responsible for environment protection holds no power to restrain any of the departments and divisions of the government when it comes to this issue.
But the situation should not be like this. In the present world, environment is a highly focused issue in all kind of activities including business, energy, and industry and environment-related offices are empowered to supervise all sectors on this particular matter. In this country, stakeholders of not a single sector pay attention to the environment on a priority basis. But we do need environmental protection in all areas of activities from poultry farming to energy and business, transport and so on. Environment must get the priority in all activities and no one should get the nod to start an enterprise until and unless one ensures the safety of the environment.
This adverse ranking should wake up all concerned in the government to take necessary steps to make the environment protection policies strong enough for giving the nation a safe environment.
Mashiyat Khaled Prapti
New Iskaton, Dhaka
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