Economy
PM Sheikh Hasina Warns Against New Structures in Rohingya Camps Amid Environmental Concerns
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated that allowing new structures in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar is inadvisable, citing environmental and ecological imbalances caused by extensive deforestation to accommodate the forcibly displaced people from Myanmar.
“It wouldn’t be wise to allow new structures in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar as environmental and ecological imbalance has already emerged there due to massive deforestation,” she remarked during a meeting with Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa at her official residence, Ganabhaban, this evening.
Prime Minister’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed the media after the meeting. He conveyed the Prime Minister’s concerns about the congestion and unhealthy living conditions in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. She suggested that relocating the Rohingyas to Bhashanchar would improve their living standards and health conditions.
The Prime Minister appealed to Yohei Sasakawa for support in repatriating the Rohingyas to Myanmar, as they have been stranded in Bangladesh for over six years. Additionally, she sought more assistance from the Nippon Foundation to relocate more Rohingyas to Bhashanchar temporarily.
The Nippon Foundation is currently providing various forms of assistance to the Rohingyas. Yohei Sasakawa praised the accommodation facilities in Bhashanchar and expressed the Foundation’s willingness to offer training to the Rohingyas to enhance their income generation and to provide education for Rohingya children. He also proposed new initiatives to the Prime Minister.
Sheikh Hasina highlighted that Bangladesh provided shelter to the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds, noting that over 40,000 women were pregnant at the time. The government established field hospitals to offer food and medical services, with non-governmental organizations and international agencies joining later to support the efforts.
The Prime Minister pointed out the rapid population increase among the Rohingyas, attributing it to the conservative mindset of Rohingya women who are reluctant to adopt family planning. Yohei Sasakawa expressed the Nippon Foundation’s readiness to work on this issue.
The meeting was also attended by Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
