Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Friday said Bangladesh will see significant improvements in waste management across the country within the next one to two years.
He made the remarks while responding to journalists after visiting Gazipur Safari Park on Friday afternoon.
The minister said waste management had not yet been modernised nationwide. A waste-to-energy project had been undertaken in Aminbazar, while work on a waste-to-energy and resource recovery project in Dhaka South had begun. Similar initiatives would be launched in district and upazila towns.
He said pollution could not be effectively addressed without proper waste management, adding that the government was working to bring about the necessary changes. Regarding mismanagement at the safari park, Mintoo said authorities would hold a meeting in Dhaka to hear about the problems and take steps to resolve them.
On the theft of lemurs from the park, he said two lemurs had been stolen and an investigation was underway. He declined to confirm claims that the animals had been taken to Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's zoo, but assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
Addressing industries established on forest land, the minister said the government could not simply shut down industries given the country's employment needs. Legal action had been taken to recover forest land occupied by existing industries, he added.
He said a meeting involving legal experts and government officials would be held this month to address land-related disputes in Bhawal National Park, including 465 acres reportedly owned by private individuals.
