DCs are key to implementing environmental, climate programmes, says Minister Mintoo

“We told the DCs to cooperate with us with full enthusiasm, so that for the activities that we are not doing now, the ones now continuing and the upcoming ones are implemented properly,” the minister says

Deputy commissioners are key role players in implement any programme to address environmental and climate issues, believes Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo.

In a press briefing following the session of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference on Wednesday, the minister said he hoped to see effective roles played by the DCs on these issues.

In response to the questions asked by journalists, Mintoo said that the administrative system, political governance system, and constitutional structure in any country ensure it has a strong local government system.

“Like in our country, we have a union council, Upazila council, and now we have Zila Parishad (district council). But the Zila Parishad is not so strong. Hence, whatever measures or programmes we take, the deputy commissioner is the key role player.”

"Therefore, I believe that we need an interaction with them, so that the activities that we are not in charge of, such as planting trees, reducing air pollution, and waste management—whatever we say— can be implemented with their help and cooperation. That is why we are listening to their problems.”

“But, we also told them to cooperate with us with full enthusiasm, so that for the activities that we are ones now continuing and the upcoming ones are implemented properly.”

The minister said, "We talked about the law and order situation, the political situation in our country. They have not said anything that is problematic, that we need to answer."

Agricultural land across the country is being encroached and deforestation has increased, he said. This is a matter at the local level, which is supposed to be controlled by the district administration and Upazila administration. When asked whether he has given any directives to the DCs in this regard, Mintoo said: "We have not given any directives in this regard. We have solicited cooperation to implement our activities properly, we sought their effective role in implementing the programmes, for example, taken by the Department of Environment or our Department of Forest."