Britain to help develop environment sector

The assurance was given when British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Chowdhury called on Minister for Environment and Forest Tariqul Islam at his Secretariat office yesterday.

During the meeting, Anwar said that his government takes keen interest in Bangladesh's progress in the environment sector and praised the ban on the polythene bags, black smoke-emitting vehicles and two-stroke three wheelers.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

He said that he was particularly impressed at the progress of the movement for nationwide tree plantation and the social afforestrations.

Both the minister and the high commissioner discussed about the potential areas of UK-Bangladesh collaboration in facing the threats of global warming and climate change as well as conservation of forests and protections of environment.

Tariqul told the envoy that Bangladesh remained among the first victims of climate change and global warming and spoke about the need for some defensive strategies at the international level to avert the crisis.

He also mentioned the detrimental effects that withdrawal of common river waters at the upper riparian was having on Bangladesh.

The British High Commissioner appreciated the sympathy and attentions he received following the unfortunate incident in Sylhet and thanked the Bangladesh government for the prompt action towards his treatment.

Progress of UK-assisted environmental programmes in Bangladesh also came up for the discussion at the meeting.

Environment Secretary Syed Tanveer Hussain, head of political section of British High Commission in Dhaka Alan Shaw and Director of the Europe desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present.