The government has decided to shut down all industries in the country, which do not have effluent treatment plant (ETP), State Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Hasan Mahmud said today.

“Our government has taken some strong initiatives to protect against environmental degradation. It has made setting up ETP mandatory in all industries and any violation will lead to closing down such industries,” he told the 7th Global Editors’ Forum in Copenhagen.

The state minister was addressing a session titled ‘The Politics of Climate Change and Energy Security’, according to a message received here. He said the government has taken initiatives to strengthen the Environment Directorate to reduce further environmental degradation. Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh needs US$ 500 million immediately to tackle the adverse effects of climate change. He also sought greater financial assistance from the international community for long-term development of the country.

The minister informed the session that the country would submit a proposal seeking assistance from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund in the summit with focus on vulnerabilities of Bangladesh and initiatives taken by member countries. “Bangladesh will also demand US$ 5 billion in compensation in the upcoming Climate Change Copenhagen Conference for tackling climate change effects,” he said seeking cooperation from international forum.

-Daily star