Bangladesh bans new industrial construction within 10km of Sundarbans

Highlights: 

• Order issued under Environment Conservation Act prohibits new industrial establishments
• Preservation, pollution control, and sustainable management will still be permitted
• Sundarbans is a Unesco World Heritage Site and natural barrier against cyclones
• Experts to assess existing units; further action depends on findings and court

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a new directive imposing a comprehensive ban on the construction of any new industrial facilities or projects within the 10-kilometre ecologically critical area (ECA) surrounding the Sundarbans Reserve Forest.

The order, issued under Section 5 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010), prohibits all new industrial establishments from being built within this buffer zone around the world's largest mangrove forest, reads a circular issued today (12 May).

The ministry also said activities to preserve the natural environment, improve environmental quality, control and mitigate pollution, and implement sustainable management practices will still be permitted within the designated ECA zone.

The Sundarbans, a Unesco World Heritage Site spanning Bangladesh and India, is home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger and numerous other species. 

It serves as a crucial natural barrier against cyclones and storms for millions of coastal residents living in the southern regions of Bangladesh.

Earlier on 21 April, the move to ban the establishment of new industrial projects within a 10-kilometre radius of the Sundarbans was approved at the 16th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Environment and Climate Change Committee at the Secretariat.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources, chaired the meeting.

The committee revised previous decisions taken under section 3.4.4 of the 2017 National Environment Committee and the 2021 Executive Committee to enhance environmental protection in the region.

A neutral team of experts will be appointed to assess the environmental impact of existing industrial units located within the 10km ECA.

Based on their findings and subject to court directives, further action will be taken regarding these establishments.