True harmony with nature is essential for truly sustainable development.
Environmental Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan at the Biodiversity Day workshop

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said that true harmony with nature is essential for true sustainable development. Sustainable development will not be achieved if environmental protection is viewed as a 'green coating' or systematic work to present projects as environmentally friendly. Public participation, the right to information and access to justice must be ensured for sustainable development.

He made these remarks while addressing the chief guest at a consultation workshop organized on the theme "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development" on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) at the Agargaon office of the Department of Environment today, Thursday, May 22, 2025.

The advisor said, "Just filling out checklists is not enough for sustainable development. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports are useless if they are not written in the language of the people or shared with the public. Listening to public opinion is not enough—action must be taken accordingly."

He also said that the distance between environmentalists and government agencies is increasing day by day. Many times, environmental aspects are ignored while approving projects. The environment is seen as an 'afterthought' - this perspective needs to change.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "I have directed the Department of Environment to make all EIA reports public. The public has the right to know. Responding to complaints is not a mercy—it is our responsibility. Transparency and accountability must be ensured."

He said, "It won't be enough for just one ministry to work on the environment—all ministries must take on this responsibility. Environmental conservation is not possible without administrative coordination and reform."

Expressing concern over environmental degradation in Bangladesh, he said, "Our air, rivers and biodiversity are under extreme threat. We will not be able to move forward unless we put nature at the center of development."

The consultation workshop was chaired by Director General of the Department of Environment, Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, NDC. Other speakers at the event included Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, Sonali Dayaratne, renowned wildlife biologist Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, and Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali.

The workshop, attended by environmentalists, policymakers, educators, and development partners, reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable development through biodiversity conservation and harmony with nature.