'Conserve nature to ensure sustainable economic dev'

He said such development can be achieved by raising the standard of living of the poor measured in terms of increased food intake, real income, education, healthcare, water supply and sanitation.

Dr Jalal, currently a consultant on environment and development and a part time faculty at the Harvard University in USA for a course on 'Introduction to Sustainable Development,' was sharing his thoughts with the members of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) at the FEJB office on Wednesday.

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FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury presided. It was also addressed by FEJB General Secretary Mofizur Rahman, members Badiul Alam, Syed Akhter Yusuf, Mohammad Qamruzzaman, and Shamima Chowdhury.

Dr Jalal emphasised the need for forging a better linkage between sustainable development, environment and poverty and advised the policymakers to balance project benefits.

He underlined the need for improving the water quality and stopping encroachment of water-bodies for maintaining the ecosystem.