Adilur Rahman Khan, an advisor to the Ministries of Housing and Public Works and Industries, has stated that unplanned urbanization and industrialization are responsible for the loss of 0.19 percent of the country's agricultural land. He emphasized the need for integrated spatial planning for sustainable development. He made these remarks at the fourth international conference organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners on Monday morning.
The event, held at the Senate Building of Dhaka University, was also attended by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an advisor to the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources. She pointed out that "Rohingya camps and economic zones are destroying biodiversity."
Rizwana Hasan further commented, "Biodiversity is now in a dilapidated state due to the burden of economic activities. Therefore, development work must prioritize rivers, wetlands, and biodiversity." She also stressed the importance of bringing every area of the country under planned development.
However, the environmental advisor noted that this planning is not the sole responsibility of one ministry but requires all ministries to be aware and take necessary action.
