National Environment Policy 1992 and other sectoral Policies

Dr Mahfuzul Haque

Historical Background

Move by the civil society and NGOs for a separate Ministry to address environmental issues of the country

1989: Ministry of Environment and Forests was established. It has the a) Dept of Environment; b) Dept of Forests; c) BFIDC

1992: Earth Summit, Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil 1992: National Environment Policy 1994: National Forest Policy

Core Environment Policies

National Environment Policy 1992 National Forest Policy 1994 Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015) National Conservation Strategy (NCS) National Environment Management Action

Plan (NEMAP), 1995 National Adaptation Programme of Action

(NAPA), 2009 Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and

Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009

Sectoral Policies

National Energy Policy 1995 National Water Policy 1998 National Water Management Plan National Health Policy 1999 Industrial Policy 1999 Flood Action Plan (FAP) 1989 National Fisheries Policy 1997 National Coal Policy (Draft)

National Energy Policy 1995

Policy aims at ensuring environmentally sound sustainable energy development causing minimum damage to environment

Economically viable environment friendly technology to be promoted

Thrust given on renewable energy and EIA to be mandatory for any new energy project

Use of fuel wood to be discouraged and replacement to be made available at affordable price

National Water Policy 1998

Ensure sustainable harnessing of surface and groundwater

Ensure availability of water to all Decentralize water management Ensure sustainable public and private water

delivery system Encourage private sector in water

management National Water Management Plan (NWMP)

ensures people’s participation in water projects

National Health Policy 1999

Stipulates 60% of budgetary allocation in health care services

Women, children and poor to receive preference in health care services

Community Clinic for every 6000 people Reduce child and maternal death within

next 5 years

Industrial Policy 1999

Emphasis on SME in general and cottage and handicraft industries in particular

16 thrust areas: agro-industry, artificial flowers, computer software and IT, electronics, frozen food, floriculture, gift items, infrastructure, jute goods, jewelry and diamond, leather, oil and gas, seri-culture, silk industries, stuffed toys, textile and tourism

National Fisheries Policy 1997

Development and increase in production Poverty alleviation through IGA and

socio-economic development of fishermen

Replenish need for animal protein Earning of F/C through export To ensure ecological balance,

conservation of biodiversity and public health development

National Environment Policy 1992

Objectives:Environment Policy 1992

to ensure ecological balance to protect against natural disasters to control activities polluting environment to ensure environmentally sound

development in all sectors to ensure sustainable use of natural

resources to associate with global community and

implementation of international agreements

Sectotal issuesEnvironment Policy 1992

The policy has addressed 15 sectoral issues: Agriculture, Industry, Health and Sanitation, Energy and Fuel, Land, Forest, Wildlife and Biodiversity, Fisheries and Livestock, Coastal and Marine Environment, Transport and Communication, Housing and Urbanization, population, Education and Public Awareness, Science, Technology and Research

Action Plan and Institutional Issues

“agriculture”Environment Policy 1992

Environment-friendly technology for agricultural development and food self-sufficiency

Control use of soil fertility depleting agro-chemicals; ensure OHS for agri-workers; to encourage IPM; and promote use of organic fertilizer

Promote environment-friendly jute and jute goods

“industry”Environment Policy 1992

With respect to “industry” sector, the policy suggests:

To adapt corrective measures to contain pollution

To conduct EIA for all new industries To ban establishment of polluting industries To ensure sustainable use of raw materials

in industries and to prevent wastage

“health and sanitation”Environment Policy 1992

Incorporate environment-friendly issues in the health policy

Obstruct measures against public health Inclusion of health and sanitation issues

in national curriculum Develop environment-friendly rural and

urban habitat; and ensure environment-friendly accommodation for the workers

“energy and fuel”Environment Policy 1992

Discourage use of polluting fuel and encourage environmentally sound fuel

Emphasis on renewable energy Reduce use of fuel wood, agri-residues as

fuel and promote alternative sources of energy

Nuclear energy to be discouraged and precautionary measures to be taken against nuclear pollution and radiation

Conduct EIA prior to energy and mining projects

Implementation Mechanism

National Environment Council-headed by the head of government (Prime Minister) oversees monitoring of the Policy

Executive Committee of National Environment Council- headed by Minister, MOEF implements the plan and coordinates inter-sectoral issues

Meetings of these Committees are rarely conducted

Implementation Mechanism

Periodic (every 5 years) review and updating is necessary for this live document

Inter- sector coordination is necessary National Environment Council and its Executive

Committee to meet regularly Regular monitoring and supervision by the

Prime Minister’s Secretariat is necessary Involvement of the civil society and media is

necessary to oversee implementation, review and updating of the Policy by the government

Challenges of Implementation

“Environment” to be the priority of the government with political blessing irrespective of the changes of the regime

Role of the judiciary is important in taking suo motu rules

Role of the civil society and media as “watch-dog” helps effective implementation of the policy

Probable Questions

What are the objectives of the National Environment Policy 1992? Discuss.

The sectoral policies of the government also addressed environmental issues and concerns of the country- discuss.

Reference Materials

National Environment Policy 1992 Environment and Development Alliance,

Hand Book: Environmental Procedures and Guidelines, Dhaka, 1999.

THANK YOU