Since the historic victory of the student-led movement during the July-August Uprising of 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has made significant strides in environmental, forest and biodiversity conservation under the leadership of adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
The achievements over the past year reflect the interim government’s strong commitment to tackling pollution, preserving natural resources and mitigating the effects of climate change.
One of the most notable initiatives launched in November 2024 was a nationwide crackdown on the use of banned polythene bags. In a concerted effort to curb plastic waste, 748 mobile courts were conducted, resulting in the collection of Taka 87.6 lakh from 1,397 violators.
Besides, one individual received a one-month prison sentence, four cases were filed and seven illegal polythene factories had their power connections severed. More than 292 metric tons of polythene were seized.
The ministry took significant steps to make the Bangladesh Secretariat plastic-free to further reduce plastic waste. A phased ban was imposed on 17 single-use plastic items, with stricter restrictions scheduled for implementation in the coming months.
The government also introduced a six-point restriction on Saint Martin’s Island, aiming to curb rampant plastic pollution in line with sustainable tourism efforts. The ministry is also working to create alternative livelihoods for island residents, ensuring the preservation of this critical ecosystem.
Addressing the persistent issue of land encroachment, the ministry has started compiling a list of illegal encroachers on hills across 19 districts with land recovery activities already underway.
Besides, numerous illegal forest leases have been canceled to safeguard the country’s rich natural resources.
The Madhupur Shal Forest Restoration Project, which received approval this year, has kick-started afforestation efforts in 6,610 acres of forest land with restoration work covering another 1,111 acres.
Besides, a dedicated Taka 14.76 crore project has been launched to restore elephant habitats and forest areas in the Chunati Forest. As of June 2025, over 5,000 acres of forest land have been successfully recovered.
The ministry has also ramped up efforts to combat urban pollution. A revision of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules was announced, with Shahjalal International Airport now designated a silent zone. In the past year, 484 mobile courts were conducted to tackle noise pollution with fines totaling Taka 15.5 lakh and the seizure of 1,644 illegal horns.
For air quality control, 3,063 cases were filed against polluting entities through 1,262 mobile courts. A total of Taka 257.5 crore in fines was collected while 484 brick kilns were shut down to reduce emissions.
In a bid to boost climate resilience, 41 projects were approved under the Climate Change Trust Fund with a budget of Taka 250 crore. These projects focus on critical areas such as research, river and canal re-excavation and biodiversity conservation.
On the institutional front, the ministry has made substantial progress by expanding the Department of Environment (DoE) with the creation of 3,569 new positions. A proposal has also been made for the establishment of a dedicated BCS (Environment and Forest) cadre. In the last year, 26 new appointments were made and 25 individuals received promotions within the ministry.
Technological innovations have been a key focus, with the launch of automated environmental monitoring software for industries. Moreover, the ministry has worked to make air purifiers more accessible by reducing import duties on these devices from 25 percent to 10 percent. Besides, other duties have been waived to encourage the production and use of air purifiers.
The concerted actions taken by the ministry have not only set a new benchmark for environmental protection but have also paved the way for long-term sustainability. These efforts have the potential to significantly mitigate climate change impacts, enhance biodiversity and improve the quality of life for millions of Bangladeshis.
