Regional cooperation is urgent to check air pollution in SA: Saber

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said air pollution is not just a problem for a single country but it is a regional and international issue.

“Regional cooperation and coordination among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are necessary to address this problem since air pollution of one country affects others,” he said while speaking at a seminar titled “Save Your Breath: Policy Dialogue on Clean Air Imperatives” held at a city hotel here.

He stressed the need for taking coordinated actions involving all stakeholders and increasing the use of technology to prevent air pollution.

Saber Chowdhury said air pollution causes not only cause harm to humans but also affect economy and that is why every citizen must work to check pollution from their own position.

‘We are causing noise and air pollution in various ways, which affects the health of others,” he said, mentioning that the government is planning to explore alternative energy options.

The minister said all relevant authorities must come forward to properly enforcing laws to combat air and environmental pollution.

Prof Dr Abdus Salam, a teacher of the Chemistry Department at Dhaka University, presented the keynote on Dhaka’s air pollution.

Nahim Razzaq, the convener of Bangladesh Climate Parliament and Member of Parliament; Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh; Adil Mohammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners; Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the USAID Asia Bureau; and Imran Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director of the Shakti Foundation; also spoke at the seminar. (BSS)