State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today said special monitoring teams will be formed in industrial areas to prevent environmental pollution and protect agricultural land from contaminated industrial waste.
Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting on environmental pollution and mitigation measures at Bhaluka Upazila Parishad in Mymensingh, he stressed that Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) must be used to prevent water pollution and ensure that wastewater from factories does not spread to nearby farmland.
The minister expressed concern over severe environmental degradation in the Bhaluka industrial area, noting that aquatic flora and fauna are nearly disappearing due to industrial pollution.
He said around 350 acres of land in the Bharadoba area have become uncultivable because of pollution from three factories-Experience, Harry Fashion and Multazim-affecting nearly 1,000 families.
Warning of strict action, he directed authorities to immediately stop the flow of polluted wastewater from the factories and said the factories could be shut down if corrective measures are not taken.
Faridul Islam also emphasized that toxic industrial waste must not be discharged into rivers, canals, wetlands or agricultural land without proper treatment.
He warned Department of Environment officials of action for negligence if they fail to cooperate in monitoring and enforcement efforts.
He said the government would work to protect the region's environment and support affected farmers through inter-ministerial coordination and appropriate interventions.
