Chief justice concerned over environment

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha today blamed the lack of effective enforcement of relevant laws for the degradation of the environment in Bangladesh.

"The main cause for environment degradation is lack of effective enforcement of various laws relating to human rights, preservation and protection of forest, protection of rivers, canals, water reservoirs, haors (swamp) etc," he said.

The chief justice came up with the remark while presiding over the inaugural ceremony of two-day South Asia judicial conference on environment and climate change jointly organised by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Asian Development Bank at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel in the capital.

He said, "It is necessary to emphasise that problem of environmental degradation can be tackled only by concerted efforts of every one, organisation and institution and by stringent enforcement of the laws".

"We have to educate, spread awareness, involve and motivate every person in the country to conserve the local flora and fauna, soil and water resources and all other gifts of God which are national properties." Justice SK Sinha said.