Teesta mega project: Rizwana calls for in-depth feasibility assessment, community engagement
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for in-depth feasibility assessments and meaningful community engagement for the of the proposed Teesta mega project.
She also urged that foreign investment be transparent and on concessional terms and said, "Investors should support local communities, not exploit regulatory weaknesses."
No government should sell national interests in the name of development, she said while addressing an event in the capital today (18 October).
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Rizwana stressed the importance of accountability and community consultation. "If communities suffer from violations or non-compliance, there must be an accessible system for redress."
She further added that careful study of environmental impacts is needed, citing riverbank erosion around the Padma Bridge.
Rizwana, also a prominent environmental activist, urged Bangladesh to rethink its development priorities, saying growth must be linked with sustainability.
She called on policymakers and investors to move beyond large infrastructure projects and focus on community-driven, environmentally friendly initiatives.
Speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled "Sustainability Governance of China's Energy Investment in Bangladesh", chaired by Dr Muhammad Badrul Hasan, lead of SGAIN Bangladesh, she said successive governments have measured development by roads and mega projects, but true progress lies in environmental sustainability and social accountability.
Rizwana highlighted that Dhaka is in talks with the Chinese ambassador to restore the Buriganga River. China's expertise in environmental management, often cited as the Beijing model, offers lessons for tackling complex challenges, she added.
She called for investments not only in large-scale projects but also in fisheries, waste-to-energy initiatives, and community-based programmes, she said. Pointing to the Boropukuria coal project, she further added that energy development should not harm the environment.
Highlighting Bangladesh's renewable energy goals, Rizwana reiterated the target of achieving 30% renewable energy by 2040. She said Chinese support will be crucial for steady and sustainable progress.
