DHAKA, May 10 (V7N) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today stressed the critical importance of prioritizing environmental protection when approving large-scale development projects.

"Objections raised by the Ministry of Environment should not be viewed as mere resistance, but as legitimate interventions for sustainable development," she asserted.

The adviser made these remarks while presenting the keynote paper at the opening session of the 4th International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning (ICURP) 2025, hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), at the Nabab Nawab Ali Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.

She emphasized that a comprehensive planning framework covering every inch of the country's land is essential.

Rizwana pointed out that laws and regulations alone are insufficient for environmental protection; a change in values and perspectives is equally crucial.

She urged all government ministries to adopt environmentally responsible practices in their operations. "In approving housing projects, for instance, the opinions of the Ministry of Agriculture must be seriously considered. Likewise, the environmental and social impacts of urban plans should be assessed across all relevant sectors," she added.

Highlighting institutional limitations, she noted, "Authorities like RAJUK cannot tackle these challenges single-handedly. Every relevant institution must be empowered, and active local participation is vital for effective implementation."

She also drew attention to the alarming threat to biodiversity posed by unplanned management, advocating for real accountability to be enforced against those who finance and profit from hill-cutting activities, rather than only targeting the workers.

Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacl udia Rossbach, Vice Chancellor of Khulna University Prof. Md. Rezaul Karim, and BIP General Secretary and ICURP 2025 Convener Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, among others, addressed the conference.

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