Nishat Tarannum
Presently, worldwide environmental issues have integrated largely. It has emerged a global frame work. These days, we are susceptible by extreme environmental pollution through substantive global warming. Again it is we who have made this situation more mortifying. Scientists are assuming that after 10-15 years there will be a next world war for fresh water. And we will be one of the victimized countries. Analyzing the last five years state of Bangladesh it has emerged that right now our country is in a deteriorating position. Too much incensement plus relocation of inhabitants, vast expansion of industrialization, wasting natural possessions, deforestation, and noncompliance of environmental law have largely unruffled multidisciplinary negative loom for the country as well as for nation.
It is a big question now, is there any proper execution of environmental law in Bangladesh?? The answer might be a big “NO”. However, the legal clinical programmers, judicial approachment, environmental advocacy are highly distinctive; but it is somewhere lagging behind. If we just situate a little attention towards our surroundings, it can be seen that the industries and different manufacturing companies are not maintaining the environmental law. All over again, they are just throwing their waste chemicals directly in rivers and canals. And these are largely hampering the hydrologic cycle as well as ecosystem. According to, The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995[1] Section (2), “conservation of environment” means improvement of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of different components of environment as well as prevention of degradation of those components.’’ With this act it can be analyzed that, we have to preserve all the sustainable measure to utilize environment in an infinitive way. In the midst of that, it will be the violation of environment if we demean any of the components through our behavior. Regrettably, this in not appropriately executed towards our situation. Furthermore in this Act, in section 6 (1), stated that, Restrictions regarding vehicles emitting smoke injurious to environment: (1) “A vehicle emitting smoke or gas injurious to health or environment shall not be operated nor shall such vehicles be switched on except for the purpose of test-operation for stopping the emission of such smoke or gas.’’ With this Act, it can be clearly comprehend that, smoke is harmful for environment, and the vehicles which emits this smoke have to be clearly brought under standard rules. Given that, in the starting of 2000, government banned all scooters from the city which emits carbon. And introduced CNGs. But in a report of UNDP in signifies that, this stride has only contributes 1.5% rather, there are numerous other vehicles in our streets which are causing much destruction towards environment. While this act is not executed entirely .Government and all the related implementers administration are not putting emphasize in this complex case.
It is needless to say that, in our country the manufacturings as well as the industries are polluting air, water even causing destruction to the natural habitats. With, the emission of smoke and wastage, it, has been curved into a continuous process for violating law. Again, The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 Section (7), signifies that,Remedial measures for injury to ecosystem. – (1) “If it appears to the
Director General that any act or omission of a person is causing or has caused, directly or indirectly, injury to the ecosystem or to a person or group of persons, the Director General may determine the compensation and direct the firstly mentioned Person to pay it and in an appropriate case also direct him to take corrective measures, or may direct the person to take both the measures; and that person shall be bound to comply with the direction.” According to our countries perception, there are lots of people as well as many owners of companies who are violating this rules and regulations. They are continuously harming the ecosystem. But, there is no proper execution and punishment for them. Dangerously, there are many companies which are rapidly using harmful chemicals and pesticides which devastated the portion of ecosystem as well as people’s health. However, there is no suitable insinuation of these laws. No administrative and judicial authorities are taking actions against them.
The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 Section (12),states that; Environmental Clearance Certificate. – “No industrial unit or project shall be established or undertaken without obtaining, in the manner prescribed by rules, and Environmental Clearance Certificate from the Director General.” Is this really happening in our country?? There are many companies and manufacturing firms which are being established without any type of this certificate. They still do not know that there is any existence of such kind of laws. In addition, no authorities are contributing to implement this act entirely. Moreover, there is a rule for every manufacturing on top of industries to have (ETP) Environment Treatment Plant for neutralizing the wastages and the lethal chemicals. But they are not having it rather tiring to pollute the environment.
In conclusion it can said that,environment is one of the key components for all the living beings in the earth. But it is polluting day by day pragmatically. Besides, there is law for protecting the environment. Since it assumes that it only leftovers in book. Unfortunately there is no proper execution of this law. Again, the government and all the authorities who are directly transmit for execution have to play their role impartially. Prominently, law is a mechanism but the proper execution makes it animate. So, it’s needless to say that we all the citizens of our country have to work for the proper execution of environmental law to save our environment not only for us but also for the future generation.
[1] The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995
Writer: Student, School of Law,BRAC University
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