To combat noise pollution, strict enforcement of laws and penalties is being implemented, said Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Third National Nature Festival 2024 at the Dhaka Residential Model College Auditorium on Saturday evening, she said: "The primary source of noise pollution is car horns. If we start avoiding honking our own vehicles, noise pollution can be controlled."
She added: "From the end of December to January, awareness campaigns will be conducted on 10 streets in Dhaka to discourage honking. After that, we will begin enforcing the law. Strict measures are being taken to curb noise pollution in cities, including enforcing penalties."
On the impact of climate change, the adviser said: "This year has been the hottest in the past 50 years. Similarly, the southern region has experienced unprecedented flooding. These natural disasters are largely due to global climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels."
Highlighting Bangladesh’s renewable energy potential, she said: "We have access to renewable energy at a much lower cost compared to other fuel sources. However, the reality is that most solar panels installed on buildings are not functional. If those solar panels worked properly, no one would worry about 20 minutes or a few hours of load-shedding." The government, too, wouldn’t need to purchase expensive fuels to meet energy demands."
"Bangladesh has great potential in solar and wind energy," she added.