Staff Reporter:  Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that the necessary legal initiatives have been taken to give exemplary punishment to those involved in the killing of a Bonbit official who cut the protected forest hill in Cox's Bazar's Ukhia 'under the pressure of soil smugglers' drum truck'.  He said that a case has been registered in this incident and one of the accused has been arrested by the police.  The ministry expects exemplary punishment for the brutal killers.

The Minister of Environment said this in reply to the questions of the journalists present at the end of the chief guest's speech at the 'Addressing the Children's Environmental Health with a Particular Focus on Lead Poisoning in Bangladesh' workshop organized by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) at Agargaon Tourism Bhaban on Wednesday (April 3).

 In response to another question related to the climate bus, the minister said that new policies are being made to select and allocate projects through the Climate Change Trust.  In the future, projects will be undertaken following the guidelines, thereby avoiding the mistakes of the BCCT in the past.

Earlier in his speech at the workshop, the Environment Minister said that the government and his ministry will take all possible steps to reduce the risk of lead poisoning and ensure a healthy future for the children of Bangladesh.  He said that the cooperation and participation of all concerned is very important.

Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary and Chairperson of ESDO presided over the occasion. Dr Abdul Hamid, Director General, Department of Environment (DoE); Keya Khan, Director General, Department of Wome Affairs; Anjir Liton, Director General, Bangladesh Shishu Academy; SK Rafiqul Islam BPAA, Chief Controller (Additional Secretary), Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports; Maya Vandenent, Chief, Health Section, UNICEF spoke in the occasion. 

The workshop saw esteemed speakers, stakeholders, and policymakers convene to initiate crucial discussions and strategies aimed at safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Bangladesh's children. The workshop also served as a pivotal platform to raise awareness and foster collaborative efforts in combatting the alarming prevalence of lead poisoning among children in Bangladesh.

 Biniyougbarta/SAM//