Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday said that a master plan for Saint Martin’s Island is currently under consideration as part of a wider initiative supported by the Climate Trust.
While speaking at a press conference for World Environment Day and the Environment Fair, she noted that the island’s natural environment has started to recover following a reduction in tourist activity and stressed the importance of protecting this ecological progress.
“There is no need to worry about Saint Martin’s if we can save it,” she said. “All concerns will be addressed once the island is protected.”
Addressing a separate issue during the press conference, the adviser strongly condemned the harassment and subsequent police handover of former chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda by a mob.
“You have already seen the government’s statement condemning the incident,” Rizwana said. “The home affairs adviser has stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible.”
In response to a question on whether the morale of the police force has been restored, she said: “I am not saying that the police have not regained their morale. In many places, they are showing increased activity. However, we did not take charge under ideal circumstances, and it requires continuous work to move the country toward an ideal state. I believe the police will become more active, though it is too early to be satisfied.”
The adviser also announced that the Environment Fair will begin on Wednesday, with this year’s themes being “Beat Plastic Pollution” and “Let us Plant in a Planned Way to Build a Green Bangladesh.”
The Environment Fair will be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, and will run from Wednesday to Friday, while the Tree Fair will continue through Tuesday.
Both fairs will remain open to the public daily from 9am to 9pm.
The opening ceremony on Wednesday will feature Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus as the chief guest.
