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International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN)
January 14-15, 2000

Dhaka Declaration on Bangladesh Environment

The International Conference on Bangladesh Environment, ICBEN 2000, held on January 14-15 2000, in Dhaka brought together over 500 Bangladeshi participants, from various segments of the society, both home and abroad. Deliberations held in 20 technical sessions, in five parallel streams, yielded a set of recommendations for action by the people and the Govt. of Bangladesh. These recommendations were adopted as The Dhaka Declaration on Bangladesh Environment.

These recommendations summarized as a three level (international level, at over-all national level and at civil society level) Program of Action is presented below. Attached to the Declaration are (i) the brief proceedings of the conference and (ii) a note on follow- up arrangements.

I. ACTION AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

Conscious that the overall environment of Bangladesh is threatened by various global activities;

Noting that Bangladesh will be severely affected by global warming resulting in uncertainties in weather pattern which may cause both floods and droughts, and significant rise in sea level that could inundate the low lying areas of the coastal belt;

Noting also that Bangladesh’s contribution to Ozone depletion is insignificant it will face its consequences;

Concerned that rapid growth in industrialization in the region could generate Acid Rain in Bangladesh;

Being aware that deforestation in the Himalayan region means disaster for Bangladesh in terms of increased flooding and sedimentation;

Affirming the urgent need for a basin-wise development of water resources of the Ganges- Brahmaputra- Meghna Region comprising India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh;

It is recommended that

1. Bangladesh plays an active role and be a vigilant participant in negotiations and reviews of various international conventions and protocols specially those concerned with global climate change, ozone layer depletion and acid rain.

2. All out efforts are made for ensuring a basin approach for management of water resources of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Region especially for flood management and to halt deforestation.

II. OVER-ALL NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAM

Ground Water Contamination- Arsenic Poisoning

Being concerned about the level of contamination of drinking water from wells, by arsenic, almost all over Bangladesh and prevalence of arsenic affected patients in active arsenic problem-areas.

It is recommended that

1. Extensive as well as intensive public awareness program is launched urgently on the danger of drinking arsenic contaminated tube-well water and urging drinking of water from safe tube-wells and alternative sources including rain water harvesting.

2. Screening of tube-wells for arsenic contamination is intensified.

3. Skills of doctors and health workers are enhanced in diagnosis of arsenicosis and in providing medical and health care for all affected patients.

4. Rehabilitation and construction of surface water reservoirs, wherever possible, be taken up and they are protected and reserved for water supply with minimal treatment.

5. Reliance on indigenous expertise is ensured and a well-coordinated national program for handling the crisis is taken up.

Air Pollution

Being aware that the main source of air pollution in Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh is the emission of carbon mono-oxide is by the Two Stroke Engine Vehicles (TSEV) and that these deadly vehicles are banned almost all over the world;

Stressing that TSEVs must be removed from the streets and roads of Bangladesh as soon as possible;

Recognizing that defective vehicles, especially buses and trucks, emit black smoke polluting the air and strict fitness examination and condemnation of defective vehicles can improve air quality;

Acknowledging that mass transportation in cities is a must for reduction of traffic congestion and there are plans for building rail transit, ring road and circular waterway for Dhaka;

Realizing that traffic congestion and idling of vehicles also increase air pollution;

Concerned that use of leaded gasoline is a serious threat to health and noting at the same time that steps are being initiated so that leaded gasoline is no longer in use.

It is recommended that

1. Environment-friendly mass transit system should be expanded and strengthened and ways should be found to put more vehicles for mass transportation in and between cities by improving road network. 2. June 30, 2002 is declared as a strict deadline beyond which TSEVs will not be allowed to ply in Bangladesh, either in cities or in rural areas. Strict ban is imposed on import of TSEVs from July 1, 2000 and those in service are converted into four stroke engine vehicles.

3. Conversion of all vehicles into CNG driven vehicles is promoted with the following targets: a) conversion of all vehicles of the government or semi-government institutions by June 2001; b) conversion of all scooters to CNG dependence, if necessary by providing credit facilities; and c) establishment of more CNG conversion facilities in and outside Dhaka, preferably in the private sector; licensing of more CNG supply pumps; and existing petrol pumps are given incentives to add CNG pumping facility

4. Inspection of emission by vehicles is subjected to severe scrutiny and the ones that fail the emission test are taken off the streets immediately and without exception.

5. Parking of vehicles, especially of buses and trucks, on main roads, is strictly prohibited. At any crossroad, no vehicle is allowed to idle except to wait traffic lights. Stopping of vehicles at junctions to offload or pick up passengers or cargo is strictly prohibited.

6. All commercial and high rise buildings must make provision for parking of vehicles within their premises. High rise buildings should be prohibited around road intersection and junctions.

7. Use of unleaded gasoline is made compulsory in the country as a whole.

8. Modification of the Eastern Refinery to produce lead-free gasoline with high octane value should be given priority with immediate effect.

9. More roads are dedicated to only slow-moving or fast-moving vehicles in major cities.

Management of Rivers, Wetlands, Floods

Being perceptive that building of polders and embankments for flood management should be considered with great caution as they create many environmental concerns;

Recognizing that construction of any structures in rivers, canals and drainage channels or wetlands and retention pond areas can be hazardous to the environment

Conscious of the importance of wetlands as flood retention pond;

It is recommended that:

1. The existing rivers network and wetlands are preserved and developed by adopting an ecological approach. Flood retention areas as identified in Dhaka Flood Control Plan are declared as public areas and they are not filled up for any purpose.

2. Environmental Impact Studies are carried out for all structural flood mitigation measures including building of polders and embankments; for all such projects a public hearing is conducted and local people are properly consulted.

3. Over drainage or complete drainage of wetlands is prohibited and obstruction of drainage channels is prevented through appropriate legal steps.

4. Consolidation of rural habitations or clustering of villages are considered for flood management purpose.

Protection of natural resources

Concerned that natural resources are being depleted or degraded by indiscriminate use of agricultural land, forest areas, water bodies, wetlands and limited mineral resources;

It is recommended that:

1. Adequate measures be taken to prevent soil erosion and preserve soil fertility including training of farmers on soil fertility management;

2. Irrigation practices should be improved to prevent waste of water during delivery and misuse of water such as giving more water for crops requiring less of it or vice versa;

3. Emphasis should be given to Integrated Pest Management (IPS) and Integrated Plant Nutrition Management (IPNS);

4. Protection of haors and baors should be undertaken and their conversion into arable land should be strictly prohibited.

Surface Water Contamination

Being aware that dependence on chemical fertilizer and pesticides for higher crop yields is contributing to surface water pollution;

Realizing that lack of proper sanitary practices is a major source of surface water contamination;

Noting that use of water sealed sanitary latrines is picking up in rural areas;

It is recommended that:

1. Reduction in dependence on chemical fertilizer and pesticides through promotion of organic agriculture is encouraged.

2. Ban on undesirable fertilizers and pesticide is strictly enforced.

3. Campaign for use of water sealed sanitary latrines for ensuring proper sanitation in rural areas, is further intensified and a target for full coverage by 2004 is achieved.

4. Discharge of untreated sewage and effluents from industrial units into rivers or wetlands, including Buriganga, is stopped.

Deforestation:

Being concerned that forests are being denuded at an alarming rate; and

Recognizing the importance of involvement of local communities in forest management;

It is recommended that

1. Preservation of the existing forests and rehabilitation of denuded areas are taken up with involvement of local communities by giving them a stake in the initiative.

2. Social forestry programs are intensified and local government institutions are entrusted with the task of their implementation.

3. For degraded mangrove forests an action plan for rehabilitation is implemented.

Loss of Bio-diversity

Being aware of importance and value of the rich base of bio-diversity that exists in Bangladesh;

It is recommended that

1. Survey of floral and faunal bio-diversity of Bangladesh is expeditiously taken up.

2. Endangered species are identified and efforts made to protect them from further depletion. Extinct species are introduced following proper conservation practices.

Industrial Waste

Affirming that the Industrial Effluent and Emission Quality Standard promulgated in 1997 under the Environmental Conservation Act of 1995 should be strictly enforced;

Noting that environmental clearance is already a part of the approval process of any industrial project.

It is recommended that:

1. Appropriate standards for disposal of solid, liquid, and gaseous industrial waste is established and Environmental Courts are set up for their strict enforcement.

2. Properly registered professionals carry out environmental impact assessment.

3. Compliance of the environmental requirement is examined jointly by the enforcing authority and the representatives of the civil society.

Household Waste:

Stressing that polythene bags cause clogging of drainage channels and cause damage to environment as they are not bio-degradable;

Recognizing the local efforts in community based garbage collection and disposal have been successful;

Desirous of ensuring recycling of solid wastes as much as practicable;

It is recommended that:

1. Use of plastic materials where biodegradable materials can serve the purpose is prohibited and production of Polythene bags is discouraged by fiscal measures.

2. Urgent attention is given to adapt bio-degradable plastic.

3. Local models of community involvement in waste collection and disposal are adopted for all large cities. Municipality will be responsible for picking garbage from earmarked points and its disposal by incineration, recycling, treatment or dumping.

4. Recycling of solid waste such as sorting of cans, bottles and glassware or paper and conversion techniques like garbage to fertilizer, waste to recycled paper, waste plastics to new resin, green coconut residue to fuel is encouraged.

Medical Waste

Concerned that proper disposal of medical and hospital wastes are not practiced in Bangladesh;

It is recommended that

1. Medical waste and garbage of hospitals and clinics are kept separate and appropriate disposal system is instituted.

2. Location of hospitals and clinics in a built area, without ensuring an in-built system for disposal of medical waste is prevented.

Legal and Management Aspects

Noting that legal and institutional framework for management of environment should be strengthened;

It is recommended that

1. The legal and regulatory framework for protection of environment are strengthened;

2. Capacity of institutions responsible for environment management are enhanced and inter- institutional coordination is ensured;

3. An optimal mix of market-based instruments and control for protection of environment is devised. Voluntary effort in standard setting is encouraged.

4. Proper implementation of all international protocols to which Bangladesh is signatory is ensured and towards this a review of national legal and policy regime is carried out.

Management of Dhaka

Concerned that Dhaka is growing fast without attention to the environmental concerns, magnitude of which are already mind-boggling, and will soon be a mega-city without basic amenities for its residents;

Aware that land use-zoning laws do not exist and building codes are not at all honored;

Noting that part of Dhaka is basically low-lying area and floods and water-logging are serious problems;

Recognizing that about a third of Dhaka dwellers are squatters and slum area residents;

Observing that the traffic problem of Dhaka is maddening as roads are too few; transport varieties are too many, both slow-moving and fast-moving; road junctions are used as parking areas and passenger and cargo loading points; commuting facilities are minimal; national highways do not have bypasses; traffic rules are not observed and; traffic controllers are thoroughly corrupt;

Realizing that Water Supply is far short of requirement; sewage disposal and storm drainage network are inadequate; garbage collection and disposal system is a cause for nightmare;

Stressing that the population growth rate of Dhaka is more than three times the national growth rate.

It is recommended that

1. The myriad of agencies with responsibilities for Dhaka that end up in inaction and obstruction to good management are coordinated for proper administration.

2. Zoning and building code are enforced in Dhaka; open spaces, rivers, drainage channels and water bodies are adequately protected.

3. Dhaka Cantonment is shifted to outskirts of Dhaka and resettlement from Old City takes place there.

4. Eastern flood protection polder is completed at an early date and adequate steps are taken for drainage from protected areas.

5. A mass transit system is expanded fast, a rail transit system is set up; a ring road is constructed using the polders; and a circular waterway is brought into operation.

6. Sewerage system is expanded and improved; Water Supply system gets a go ahead with planned addition to supplies from the Sayedabad Project; measures to prevent system loss is taken up; and recycling of water considered at planning stages.

7. A number of slums or squatter colonies are converted into legal settlements for the poor; and some slums may be relocated but in close proximity of the city.

8. Re-transfer of people to villages is planned; rush to the city is resisted by improving living conditions in villages such as, strengthening and targeting rural housing schemes; development of growth centers; continuing with village pension schemes; providing civic facilities, flood protection, communication and transport links in rural areas; intensifying micro-credit programs etc.

9. Save Buriganga campaign is strengthened and illegal occupation of the river is undone.

10. Disposal of raw sewage into the river is stopped; selective dredging of the river channel is undertaken for restoring the river’s flow regime.

11. Hazaribagh tanneries are relocated out of heavily populated area and treatment plants for all the factories are built on a priority basis.

III. GENERAL ISSUES

Being convinced that environment management is inherent in all facets of life and in all sectors of the economy and environment planning must encompass total development enterprise of the nation;

Noting that environment protection measures are all inter-related and need to be coordinated skillfully;

Recognizing that poverty at times force destruction of the environment; poverty alleviation, therefore, must receive high priority in development strategy;

Recognizing also that population growth is the greatest threat to environment; population and health sector planning, therefore, should continue to be vigorous in development strategy;

It is recommended that

1. In every activity, environmental impact is weighed carefully.

2. A comprehensive and easily accessible database on environmental initiatives is set up: a web-site dedicated to environment is organized.

3. Public awareness through environmental education is ensured.

4. Local initiatives are given due attention and involvement of local people in all stages of a project, as appropriate, is strictly ensured..

Specific Action by Civil Society

At the Individual Level Being aware that the entire responsibility for protecting Bangladesh environment is not of the Government alone and there are many things that each and every member of the civil society can do even at a personal level and without waiting for government action.

It is recommended that

1. Every citizen will set example of ensuring good environment in one’s own home and immediate surroundings; and teach the value of good environment to children, relatives, and friends; and refrain from environmentally harmful level as well as kind of consumption.

At the Local Level Noting the responsibility of the members of the civil society extends to the neighborhood or the locality.

It is recommended that

2. Each neighborhood takes up programs to manage their own environment as far as practicable, without looking for any assistance of the government or the municipality.

At the National Level Recognizing that the responsibility of the civil society extends to the national level;

Being aware that behind most of the polluting processes are vested economic interests and Governments often succumb to these interests and let pollution to take place and perpetuate.

Determined that the people of Bangladesh are capable of building up a strong social movement for protection of environment;

Convinced that a strong and robust environment movement is necessary to expose and resist vested interests and to persuade the government to adopt and implement environment-friendly policies.

It is recommended that

3. A citizens’ body like POROSH will intensify a broad-based movement in Bangladesh and foster citizens’ initiatives at the individual, local and national level on the stage that has been set out by the ICBEN-2000.

Appendices on Proceedings of the Conference and Follow-up Arrangements

Appendix I. The Proceedings of the Conference

1. The Conference was organized jointly by POROSH (Poribesh Rakka Shopoth), BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology), CEN (Coalition of Environmental NGOs) and BEN (Bangladesh Environment Network of non-resident Bangladesh citizens). Another about 60 organizations, including Universities, Research institutions, professional associations, government agencies and above all NGOs dealing with environment joined as co- organizers. Almost nine months ago a Programme Committee headed by Prof. Ainun Nishat of BUET, now the Country Director of IUCN, started selecting themes and sub-themes and inviting papers from Bangladesh experts and activists from home and abroad. The non-resident Bangladesh citizens were mobilized simultaneously by BEN. An open-ended Organizing Committee with Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury of BUET as the Convenor, took charge of the Conference and set up a number of Sub-Committees to look after various aspects of the event.

2. Felicitatory messages to ICBEN 2000 were received from the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed; the former President of the US, Hon’ble Jimmy Carter; the acting President of Costa Rica, H. E. Ms. Elizabeth Odio; and President of Emory University, Prof. William M. Chace.

3. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated the conference on 14 January at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia, gave the valedictory address on 15 January at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The opening and the closing sessions were chaired by Mr. A M A Muhith, Chairman of POROSH.

4. At the inaugural session the opening statement was given by Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Convenor of the Organizing Committee. In addition, on behalf of the main organizers Prof. Nooruddin Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of BUET, Ms. Kushi Kabir, Chairperson of CEN and Prof. Nazrul Islam, Coordinator of BEN made substantive statements. Mrs. Syed Sajeda Choudhury, Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Environment as the Special Guest, also addressed the session. The Hon’ble Prime Minister besides distributing a written address made comments on a number of relevant issues and solutions. The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Naser Khan, Secretary of the Organizing Committee.

5. In the closing session Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury gave a brief over-view of the Conference. Four rapporteurs, Prof. M I Zuberi of Dhaka Gono Biswabidyalaya, Prof. Khalequzzaman of Georgia South West University, Prof. M Alauddin of Wagner University and Dr. Mahbubul Islam of US EPA, briefly presented the summary recommendations of a number of seminars. Prof. Feroze Ahmed of BUET and Prof. Nazrul Islam of Emory University giving a summary view of the deliberations made informal presentation of the outline of the Dhaka Declaration. Awards were distributed by the Chief Guest to the best participants in the exhibition viz., Department of Agricultural Extension, BRAC and Proshika and to the recipients of children’s painting competition.

6. All the seminars and other sessions were held at BUET premises on 14 and 15 January 2000. A special plenary working session was held on January 14 at the BUET auditorium where the Ministry of Forests and Environment of the Government of Bangladesh presented its assessment of the environmental situation and informed the conference about its efforts to confront the environmental problems. The presentation was followed by a response from an invited discussant and a question and answer session.

7. Two general sessions were held at the conference, in which representatives of various segments of the society were invited to discuss environmental problems and the role that they have in overcoming these problems. The list of speakers in these sessions included leaders and representatives of (a) political parties, (b) chambers of commerce and industry, (c) professional organizations, (d) research and academic institutions, (e) students’ organizations, (d) women’s organizations, (e) children’s organizations, (e) trade unions and labor organizations (f) literary and cultural organizations, (g) journalists’ organizations, (h) various issue-based environment movements, (i) district based organizations, and (j) other organizations. Members of the Bangladesh Parliament and prominent intellectuals of the country were also invited to speak.

8. Altogether twenty “technical sessions” were held at the conference in five parallel streams. Some topics such as arsenic contamination or air pollution required a series of seminars. The topics covered include (a) ground water contamination, (b) air pollution, (c) urbanization and housing, (d) loss of bio-diversity, plight of the rivers and other water bodies, and deforestation (e) surface water contamination, (f) energy use and climate change, (g) sustainable development (h) economic aspects of environmental issues, (i) flood and disaster management, (j) problems of industrial, household, and medical waste disposal, (k) management and legal aspects of environmental protection, and (l) the role of the civil society in environmental protection. About 130 papers were presented at these sessions by experts and activists, including non-resident Bangladesh and international experts.

9. The attendance at the conference surpassed the expectations of the organizers. The total number of registered participants was 506. Since all the working sessions of the conference were open to the public, a large number of non-registered participants also attended the conference. All the sessions were crowded and characterized by lively and useful discussion.

10. In addition to the sessions, an environment exhibition was also held at the conference venue. Thirty organizations, both public and private, set up stalls at the exhibition. The exhibition, in particular Sundarban folk song soirees, and the large attendance created a festive atmosphere in the BUET campus.

11. As part of the preparation for the conference, a children’s painting competition on environment was held at the Shishu Academy on December 30, 1999. A children-rally and procession demanding better environment was also held in Dhaka on December 31, 1999.

12. The conference fulfilled its objectives; the general goals that seemed to have been achieved are stated below:

(i) All the major environmental problems were discussed under one umbrella. This allowed wider appreciation of the inter-connections among these problems and help find better solutions. (ii) The position of the government on environmental issues, their perceptions, their programmes of action as well as their limitations and difficulties also came to light and became known to a wider section of the public. (iii) This expanded the contact between of non-resident Bangladesh environment experts and activists with their counterparts at home. (iv) The relationship among Bangladesh and international environment experts and activists expanded and became stronger. (v) The combination of “technical sessions” and “general sessions” helped establish and strengthen the link between environment experts and activists on the one hand, and leaders and representatives of various sections of the society on the other. The exhibition also helped wider participation and understanding of lay people. (vi) It appeared that political consensus exists on the need and even the kinds of measures for saving the environment. Political leaders are conscious of the power of the vested interests and would like to see the civil society as a countervailing force.

Appendix II: Follow-up Arrangements - Bangladesh Environment Movement

1. By bringing about seventy organizations together, the ICBEN 2000 has set a very good stage for launching a broad-based environment movement in Bangladesh. The prerequisites for such a movement are consolidation of this remarkable unity and its further expansion. To this end, the conference proposes formation of an overarching framework called the Bangladesh Environment Movement (BEM). In principle, Bangladesh Environment Movement will include all organizations and individuals who participated in ICBEN 2000 and others who are interested in joining this movement. In addition, BEM will bring to its fold all those who want to work for good environment in Bangladesh.

2. Detailing out this framework will require some time and should be done with care. The Organizing Committee of ICBEN 2000 and the four main organizers will work out the organizational details of the BEM framework. To this end, this Committee will have the right to reorganize, expand, form special committees, and take other measures as needed.

3. At the same time, the forces that gathered at ICBEN 2000 will engage in concerted efforts to get its recommendations adopted by the government and steadfastly implemented. Efforts will also be made to encourage the people to discharge their responsibilities toward the country’s environment at the individual and local level.

4. In order to hold the momentum and sustain the pro environment efforts, BEM will consider reviewing the situation and holding another conference again in January 2002.