Bangladesh government in collaboration with the World Bank has initiated a feasibility study on the largest environmental conservation project ever in the country aiming to make a difference in the quality of the environment.
The Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project will play a vital role in the improvement of the overall environment, including air and water quality and waste management in the country, according to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry.
“The largest transformational project ever taken on environment conservation is going to be developed with the help of the World Bank to make a great difference in the quality of the environment we are facing now,” said Shahab Uddin, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
He came up with the information while addressing the inception workshop on preparation of the project as the chief guest held in Dhaka.
Ziaul Hasan, secretary of the ministry, presided over the workshop.
The minister said the development of this transformational project will also help strengthen the capacity of the Department of Environment and other relevant agencies.
The investment activities under the project will be climate sensitive and adaptive to climate change. The BEST project will address the burgeoning environmental problems with a comprehensive and integrated approach to investment, according to the ministry.
With support from the World Bank the government will be able to create a highly desirable outcome of living in a healthy environment, the minister added.
Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar, additional secretary of the Local Government Division Moron Kumar Chakraborty, additional secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md Jafarullah, additional secretary of Health Service Division Kazi Zebunnesa, World Bank Senior Environment Specialist Jaing Ru and Suiko Yoshijima, among others, were present in the workshop.