The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar urged the government to make Lawachhara free from Chevron by cancelling the permission of gas exploration to protect the environment.

To mark the World Environment Day-2008, the Environment Affairs Sub Committee of Awami League organised the seminar at Engineers' Institute in the city yesterday.

Former Water Resources Minister Abdur Razzak, Former Forest and Environment Affairs Minister Syed Sajeda Chowdhury, AL leader Rahmat Ali, Dr Dipu Moni, Tania Amir and Suvash Shingha Roy addressed the seminar with Former Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University MA Mannan in the chair.

Dr Subrata Kumar Shah, teacher of Geology Department of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper at the seminar, while Dr Hasan Mahmud moderated it.

Abdur Razzak said the developed countries in the world are responsible for environment disaster warming the climate by nuclear explosions and arms testing.

He said allout development of the country was possible, if its water resource could be properly utilised.

Bangladesh has to face severe flood every year as the dried up rivers are not excavated in time, he added.

He warned that if the Sundarban forest could not be protected, about three crore people of the southern belt of the country would face environmental disaster.

He blasted the BNP-Jamaat government for cancellation of all environmental projects taken by the Awami League government like excavating the river projects.

Syed Sajeda Chowdhury said the environment of the country has fallen in severe disaster due to lack of coordination plan and activities among the administration.

The administrations do not pay heed any proposal and suggestion concerning the protection of environment, she alleged.

She also alleged the BNP-Jamaat Government destroyed the all trees that were planted under the project of the Tree Plantation during the Awami League Period.