Political parties urged to include agenda on environment

They also urged major political parties to include concrete agendas on environment and sustainable development in their election manifestoes before the next general election for a national consensus on green issues.

The experts made the call at a seminar on 'Earth Day' in the city, organised by the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) with support from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, UNDP and Unicef.

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State Minister for Environment and Forest Jafrul Islam Chowdhury addressed the seminar as chief guest while Environment Secretary Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury was present as special guest.

Mohammad Qamar Munir, project director of the ministry, and Barbara Keary, economic affairs officer of the US embassy, also addressed the seminar, with FEJB chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury in the chair.

Jafrul Islam said the government would phase out two stroke three wheelers from the big cities, including Chittagong, by 2005.

He also said the donor agencies, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Global Environment Facilities are yet to provide sufficient assistance and grants for the projects to protect environment.

To mark the Earth Day today, the FEJB will take out a procession from the National Press Club at 8:00am.