National Environment Policy 1992 and other sectoral Policies
Dr Mahfuzul Haque
Historical Background
Move by the civil society and NGOs for a separate Ministry to address environmental issues of the country
1989: Ministry of Environment and Forests was established. It has the a) Dept of Environment; b) Dept of Forests; c) BFIDC
1992: Earth Summit, Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil 1992: National Environment Policy 1994: National Forest Policy
Core Environment Policies
National Environment Policy 1992 National Forest Policy 1994 Forestry Master Plan (1995-2015) National Conservation Strategy (NCS) National Environment Management Action
Plan (NEMAP), 1995 National Adaptation Programme of Action
(NAPA), 2009 Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and
Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009
Sectoral Policies
National Energy Policy 1995 National Water Policy 1998 National Water Management Plan National Health Policy 1999 Industrial Policy 1999 Flood Action Plan (FAP) 1989 National Fisheries Policy 1997 National Coal Policy (Draft)
National Energy Policy 1995
Policy aims at ensuring environmentally sound sustainable energy development causing minimum damage to environment
Economically viable environment friendly technology to be promoted
Thrust given on renewable energy and EIA to be mandatory for any new energy project
Use of fuel wood to be discouraged and replacement to be made available at affordable price
National Water Policy 1998
Ensure sustainable harnessing of surface and groundwater
Ensure availability of water to all Decentralize water management Ensure sustainable public and private water
delivery system Encourage private sector in water
management National Water Management Plan (NWMP)
ensures people’s participation in water projects
National Health Policy 1999
Stipulates 60% of budgetary allocation in health care services
Women, children and poor to receive preference in health care services
Community Clinic for every 6000 people Reduce child and maternal death within
next 5 years
Industrial Policy 1999
Emphasis on SME in general and cottage and handicraft industries in particular
16 thrust areas: agro-industry, artificial flowers, computer software and IT, electronics, frozen food, floriculture, gift items, infrastructure, jute goods, jewelry and diamond, leather, oil and gas, seri-culture, silk industries, stuffed toys, textile and tourism
National Fisheries Policy 1997
Development and increase in production Poverty alleviation through IGA and
socio-economic development of fishermen
Replenish need for animal protein Earning of F/C through export To ensure ecological balance,
conservation of biodiversity and public health development
National Environment Policy 1992
Objectives:Environment Policy 1992
to ensure ecological balance to protect against natural disasters to control activities polluting environment to ensure environmentally sound
development in all sectors to ensure sustainable use of natural
resources to associate with global community and
implementation of international agreements
Sectotal issuesEnvironment Policy 1992
The policy has addressed 15 sectoral issues: Agriculture, Industry, Health and Sanitation, Energy and Fuel, Land, Forest, Wildlife and Biodiversity, Fisheries and Livestock, Coastal and Marine Environment, Transport and Communication, Housing and Urbanization, population, Education and Public Awareness, Science, Technology and Research
Action Plan and Institutional Issues
“agriculture”Environment Policy 1992
Environment-friendly technology for agricultural development and food self-sufficiency
Control use of soil fertility depleting agro-chemicals; ensure OHS for agri-workers; to encourage IPM; and promote use of organic fertilizer
Promote environment-friendly jute and jute goods
“industry”Environment Policy 1992
With respect to “industry” sector, the policy suggests:
To adapt corrective measures to contain pollution
To conduct EIA for all new industries To ban establishment of polluting industries To ensure sustainable use of raw materials
in industries and to prevent wastage
“health and sanitation”Environment Policy 1992
Incorporate environment-friendly issues in the health policy
Obstruct measures against public health Inclusion of health and sanitation issues
in national curriculum Develop environment-friendly rural and
urban habitat; and ensure environment-friendly accommodation for the workers
“energy and fuel”Environment Policy 1992
Discourage use of polluting fuel and encourage environmentally sound fuel
Emphasis on renewable energy Reduce use of fuel wood, agri-residues as
fuel and promote alternative sources of energy
Nuclear energy to be discouraged and precautionary measures to be taken against nuclear pollution and radiation
Conduct EIA prior to energy and mining projects
Implementation Mechanism
National Environment Council-headed by the head of government (Prime Minister) oversees monitoring of the Policy
Executive Committee of National Environment Council- headed by Minister, MOEF implements the plan and coordinates inter-sectoral issues
Meetings of these Committees are rarely conducted
Implementation Mechanism
Periodic (every 5 years) review and updating is necessary for this live document
Inter- sector coordination is necessary National Environment Council and its Executive
Committee to meet regularly Regular monitoring and supervision by the
Prime Minister’s Secretariat is necessary Involvement of the civil society and media is
necessary to oversee implementation, review and updating of the Policy by the government
Challenges of Implementation
“Environment” to be the priority of the government with political blessing irrespective of the changes of the regime
Role of the judiciary is important in taking suo motu rules
Role of the civil society and media as “watch-dog” helps effective implementation of the policy
Probable Questions
What are the objectives of the National Environment Policy 1992? Discuss.
The sectoral policies of the government also addressed environmental issues and concerns of the country- discuss.
Reference Materials
National Environment Policy 1992 Environment and Development Alliance,
Hand Book: Environmental Procedures and Guidelines, Dhaka, 1999.
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