Green activists In Dhaka on Saturday expressed their disappointment that the climate change issues got poor attention in the proposed national budget for FY 2015-16 and the 7th Five-Year Plan.
They came up with the observation at a press conference titled ‘How Environment-Friendly is the Proposed National Budget for FY 2015-16?’ arranged by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).Reading out a written statement, Bapa general secretary Dr Abdul Matin said Finance Minister AMA Muhith’s stance on the issues of environment conservation and development was not clear or strong in the proposed budget and in the 7th Five-Year Plan.
The minister’s speech on environment issues seemed somewhat careless; especially climate related issues were simply neglected in the budget, he added.
Matin said the Ministry of Environment and Forest’s role in tackling climate change and conserving the environment is very important but the ministry’s current activities lack dynamism.
Speaking at the programme, columnist and Bapa vice-president Syed Abul Maksud said environment conservation issues should be included in the development plans while preparing the national budget.
Fund allocation for environment preservation is not enough, yet strong steps to stop the activities that cause harm to the environment are necessary, he said adding, “We don’t want grey development but green one”.
Bapa joint-secretary Mihir Biswas and agriculturist Dr Shahidul Islam also spoke at the programme.- UNB
