Concentration of power a threat to
environment, peace
Prof Muzaffer tells Bapa seminar
Staff Correspondent
Noted economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmed yesterday said concentration of
political and commercial power is threatening the environment as
well as social peace in the country.
The political parties are also marginalised in contributing to
the process of good governance, which has been a setback for
development, he said.
He was speaking at the concluding seminar on "Environment for
Peace" organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) in
association with Bangladesh Peace Council (BPC) at the city's WVA
auditorium marking the World Environment Day yesterday.
Bapa, in association with some other NGOs, organised the 5-day
programme, including seminars and discussions, on various
environmental issues.
"The concentration of power, even in the UN (United Nations) and
the multinational companies, also violates the world norms hampering
the peace and development process, " Prof Muzaffer, also the
president of Bapa, said.
Referring to the recent tense at the Dhaka University, he said
political links in the university has worsened the atmosphere of
education. "If student politics is to remain, the government has to
rethink of its interface."
"We have to sacrifice some self interests for greater national
gains," he urged.
Speaking on the occasion, Awami League (AL) Presidium Member
Abdur Razzak MP expressed deep concerns over the fast exhausting of
underground water in the city.
"Surface level of Dhaka might soon subside unless proper measures
are taken to preserve underground water," the former Water Resources
minister said. Filling up of the wetlands is decreasing the water
absorbing capacity of the soil, he reasoned.
Presiding over the seminar, Razzak said the conflict over water
and trade issues between India and Bangladesh has to be settled
through a friendly discussion.
He suggested that Bapa point out several specific and critical
proposals on environment issues and submit to all the political
parties and social organisations for strengthening its movement.
Abdur Razzak, also the vice president of World Peace Council,
observed that the use of atomic bombs and production of arms
worldwide, especially in some developed countries, are threatening
the world peace for their commercial and political interest.
Chairman of Center for Urban Studies, Professor Nazrul Islam
suggested formation of a policy for the floating people, especially
for those living in the urban slums, who are the key sources of
environment pollution.
"If the politicians do not extend their helping hands to settle
the problem, it would remain as it is and degrade the situation," he
observed.
Bapa Vice President Kazi Md Sheesh criticised the US for its
monopolistic attitude in signing the Kyoto Protocol, destroying the
historical museum of Iraq through Iraq invasion and its involvement
in global warming.
"Environment is not an issue of a single country, but of global,
so we must think from global perspective and move towards that
direction," Sheesh, also former chief engineer of Wasa, said.
BPC General Secretary Kamal Haider presented the keynote paper,
while Bapa General Secretary Mohidul Hoque Khan, member Sultana Alam,
Colonel Shawkat Ali MP and former MP Meher Afroz Chumki also
addressed the seminar.
source:
http://www.thedailystar.net/
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