Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management
Noakhali Science & Technology University
Noakhali -3814.
1. Title of the Assignment: Environmental policy, rules, and regulations are
insufficient to control environmental pollution in Bangladesh - Justify the
statement.
2. Student’s information:
a) Name: Rakibul Hasan Chowdhury
b) Roll No: ASH2009022M
c) Session: 2019-20
Year and Semester: 4th year and 2nd semester
3. Submitted To:
a) Name: Mohammad Mohinuzzaman
Professor
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3
2. List of laws, acts and policies ................................................................................................. 4
3. Environmental depletion after creating the Law, Act, and policy ........................................... 5
Forest ............................................................................................................................... 5
Water ............................................................................................................................... 5
Air .....................................................................................................................................6
Land ................................................................................................................................ 6
4. Arguments Supporting the Sufficiency of Environmental Policies .................................................. 6
5. Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 7
4. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................8
5. References ............................................................................................................................... 8
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1. Introduction
Bangladesh's ecology is deteriorating due to urbanization, deforestation, industrial pollution, and
climate change. Although the nation has implemented many environmentally friendly
regulations, laws, and rules, it is still unclear how efficient they are at eliminating pollution. One
of the biggest issues Bangladesh is currently dealing with is environmental pollution. The
nation's air, water, and soil quality have all suffered greatly due to rapid industrialization,
uncontrolled urban expansion, population growth, and poor waste management. The
Environment Conservation Act (1995), the National Environmental Policy (2018), and several
sector-specific recommendations are only a few of the environmental policies, laws, and
regulations the Government of Bangladesh has created in response. These legislative tools seek
to maintain ecological equilibrium, encourage sustainable growth, and stop environmental
deterioration.
Across the nation, environmental contamination is nevertheless worsening despite this legal
structure. Dhaka is one of the world's most air-polluted cities, plastic and solid garbage have
grown unmanageable, and rivers like the Buriganga and Turag are extensively contaminated with
industrial waste.
This essay makes the case that although Bangladesh has environmental laws and policies in
place, they are ineffective in reducing pollution in the real world because of issues with
corruption, poor enforcement, a lack of institutional capacity, low public awareness, and tensions
between environmental preservation and economic growth. These issues will be thoroughly
examined in the parts that follow, which will also show why having policies alone is insufficient
in the absence of efficient execution and public involvement.
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2. List of Environmental Law, Acts, and Policies
All regulations and policies related to environmental conservation in the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh are based on Article 18(A) of the Constitution: The State shall endeavor to protect
and improve the environment and to safeguard natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forests,
and wildlife for present and future citizens.
Legislation Salient Feature Reference
Forest Act, 1927 Regulate forest management and control deforestation. (The Forest Act,
1927, n.d.)
Prevent illegal logging, encroachment, and wildlife poaching.
Bangladesh Environment Primary law for environmental protection, pollution (Saleh, 2015)
Conservation Act (1995) control, and conservation.
Bangladesh Wildlife Focusing on biodiversity conservation (Islam, 2023)
Act (2012)
(Bangladesh Water
The Water Act (2013) Ensures sustainable water resource management. Act, 2013 (Act No. 14
of 2013), n.d.)
National Environmental Framework for sustainable environmental management (Bangladesh Water
Act, 2013 (Act No.
Policy (2018)
14 of 2013), n.d.)
Delta Plan 2100 Long-term strategy for water, climate, and (Sarker, n.d.)
environmental resilience.
Kyoto Protocol (2001) Annex I countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas (Kyoto
emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels during 2008–2012 Protocol,2001)
(Abandonment 2020).
Environmental Court Act Establishes special courts for environmental cases. (The Environment
Court Act, 2010
(2010)
(1), n.d.)
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3. Environmental depletion after creating the Law, Act, and policy
Forest:
From 2002 to 2023, Bangladesh lost 8.39 kha of humid primary forest, making up 3.5% of its
total tree cover loss in the same period. The total area of humid primary forest in Bangladesh
decreased by 8.7% in this period.(Bangladesh Losing Forest Resources Faster than Global Average, n.d.)
Historical Forest Cover Decline
• 1990: ~16% forest cover.
• 2000: ~15%
• 2015: ~14.5%
• 2023: ~14.1%
Sources: (বন অধিদপ্তর-গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাাংলাদদশ সরকার, n.d.)
Water:
Water pollution in Bangladesh has been increasing every year Factor
Estimated
Source
Yearly Increase
from 2000 to 2024 due to unchecked industrial discharge, urban
waste, and agricultural contamination. While exact yearly data Industrial Effluents 5-7% (DoE) DoE Reports
is limited, long-term trends show a steady rise in pollution River BOD Levels 2-4% (Buriganga) BWDB Studies
levels. Below is an analysis of the increasing pollution rate of
World Bank
water.(Bangladesh Clean Water Access 2000-2025 | MacroTrends, n.d.). Plastic Waste 10-15%
(2023)
3% (agricultural
Nitrate in Water FAO
runoff)
• BOD
• 2000: ~5-10 mg/L (moderate pollution)
• 2024: ~20-30 mg/L in Buriganga (severely polluted, "biologically dead").
Plastic & Microplastic Surge
• 2010: ~3,000 tons of plastic waste/year.
• 2024: ~24,000 tons/year (World Bank), clogging rivers like Meghna & Padma.
Arsenic & Nitrate Contamination (Groundwater)
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• 2000: 20% of wells were arsenic-affected.
• 2024: 25-30% of wells exceed safe limits (BBS, 2023).
Air:
Bangladesh’s air pollution crisis has worsened
dramatically since 2000, with Dhaka consistently
ranking as the most polluted city. While policies exist,
strong enforcement, green energy shifts, and public
awareness are needed to reverse the
trend(Fahmida,Syed, n.d.).
Land:
Land pollution in Bangladesh has worsened significantly over the past two decades due to rapid
urbanization, industrialization, improper waste management, and agricultural practices. Below is
an analysis of key trends, sources, and government responses(Khan & Shoumik, 2022).
Indicator 2000 2010 2023
~1.2 ~2.5 ~5
Industrial Waste (tons/yr) million million million+
Plastic Waste (tons/day) ~300 ~800 ~3,000+
Agricultural Land Degraded
(%) ~15% ~25% ~35%+
Contaminated Sites 50+ 200+ 500+
It appears that the existing laws, acts, and policies have not been effective in controlling environmental
pollution in Bangladesh, and therefore, they are insufficient to address the issue.
4. Arguments Supporting the Sufficiency of Environmental Policies
These policies and regulations are not fully effective, but they have had some successes(Rashid,
2023), Such as
1. Strong Legislative Framework
Bangladesh has established a robust legal framework to address environmental challenges,
aligning its laws with global standards such as the Paris Agreement and the Ramsar Convention
(DoE, 2023). The country has also introduced specialized environmental courts to prosecute
violators, ensuring accountability for environmental degradation (world bank 2023).
2. Institutional Mechanisms
The Department of Environment (DoE) plays a key role in monitoring compliance with
environmental regulations, while the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) provides
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financial support for sustainable initiatives (Rabbani & Tahsin, 2024). These institutions work
together to enforce policies and promote green projects.
3. Evidence of Progress
Bangladesh has demonstrated tangible improvements in environmental protection. For instance,
the 2002 ban on polythene bags significantly reduced plastic pollution (DoE, 2020).
Additionally, 60% of brick kilns have adopted cleaner zigzag technology, reducing air
pollution(World Bank 2023).
4. Classification and Regulation of Industries
Under the Environmental Conservation Rules (2023), industries are categorized based on
pollution risk:
• Green (Low Impact): Minimal regulation (e.g., bookbinding).
• Yellow (Moderate Impact): Requires physical and chemical effluent treatment plants
(ETPs).
• Orange (Moderate Impact): Requires physiobiochemical effluent treatment plants (ETPs).
• Red (High Impact): Must submit Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), such as
tanneries (DoE, 2023).
5. Setting Environmental Quality Standards
Bangladesh enforces strict discharge limits for industries, including:
• Tanneries: Chromium (2 mg/l), Sulfide (1 mg/l).
• Textile Mills: BOD (150 mg/l), Oil/Grease (10 mg/l).
• Pulp & Paper: COD (300-400 mg/l) (DoE, 2023).
6. Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs)
The Environmental Conservation Act (1995) allows the government to designate protected zones
like the Sundarbans and wetlands, where harmful activities are prohibited (DoE, 2023).
7. International Alignment
Bangladesh’s environmental policies align with global agreements, including the Ramsar
Convention for wetland conservation and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (
UNDP,2023).
5. Recommendations for the Government to Address Environmental
Pollution in Bangladesh
Despite having a strong legislative framework, Bangladesh continues to face severe
environmental degradation due to weak enforcement, corruption, and institutional inefficiencies.
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Based on the provided document, the following recommendations can help the government
improve environmental governance and reduce pollution:
Enhance Monitoring: Increase inspections by the Department of Environment (DoE) to ensure
industries comply with Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and effluent treatment plant
(ETP) regulations.
Strict Penalties: Impose heavy fines and legal action against violators, including factory
shutdowns for repeated non-compliance.
Increase Funding for DoE: Allocate more resources for staffing, training.
Transparency in Environmental Courts: Expedite cases in environmental courts and ensure
impartial judgments to deter violations.
6. Conclusion
Despite establishing a robust legal framework aligned with global environmental standards,
Bangladesh continues to face severe ecological degradation due to systemic implementation
failures. While progressive policies like the Environment Conservation Act (2023) and
specialized environmental courts exist, their effectiveness has been undermined by weak
enforcement, institutional corruption, and competing economic priorities. The country's
environmental crisis manifests in multiple dimensions - from Dhaka's toxic air quality ranking
among the world's worst, to the alarming 8.7% loss of primary forests since 2002, and the critical
pollution of vital waterways like the Buriganga River. Industrial sectors, particularly textiles and
tanneries, routinely violate discharge standards despite clear regulations, while plastic waste and
land degradation reach unprecedented levels.
However, targeted interventions have demonstrated that progress is possible. The 2002 polythene
ban significantly reduced plastic pollution, while the adoption of zigzag technology by 60% of
brick kilns shows the potential for industrial transformation. These successes prove that with
proper enforcement and stakeholder engagement, environmental policies can yield tangible
benefits. Moving forward, Bangladesh must prioritize four key areas: strengthening institutional
capacity for monitoring and enforcement, incentivizing green industrial practices through
economic mechanisms, fostering greater public participation in conservation efforts, and
securing international cooperation for climate resilience. The window for action is narrowing -
without immediate, coordinated efforts to bridge the gap between policy and practice,
Bangladesh risks irreversible ecological damage with devastating consequences for public
health, food security, and sustainable development. Ultimately, the nation's environmental future
depends not on creating more laws, but on implementing existing ones with unprecedented rigor
and transparency.
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7. References
The Environment Court Act, 2010 (1). (n.d.).
Bangladesh Clean Water Access 2000-2025 | MacroTrends. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/BGD/bangladesh/clean-water-
access-statistics
Bangladesh losing forest resources faster than global average. (n.d.). Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved
May 1, 2025, from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/343702/bangladesh-
losing-forest-resources-faster-than
Bangladesh Water Act, 2013 (Act No. 14 of 2013). (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2025, from
https://ampeid.org/documents/bangladesh/bangladesh-water-act-2013-(act-no-14-of-
2013)/
পধরদবশ অধিদপ্তর-গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাাংলাদদশ সরকার. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2025, from
https://doe.gov.bd/
Fahmida,Syed. (n.d.). High and Rising: Air Pollution in Bangladesh.
Islam, Md. Z. (2023). The role of law in conserving wildlife in Bangladesh. International
Journal of Environmental Studies, 80(4), 1159–1168.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2022.2103998
Khan, Md. Z., & Shoumik, B. A. A. (2022). Land degradation neutrality concerns in Bangladesh.
Soil Security, 9, 100075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soisec.2022.100075
KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON
CLIMATE CHANGE. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2025, from
https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf
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Rabbani, Md. G., & Tahsin, K. T. (2024). Climate Finance Flow in Bangladesh: Challenges and
Opportunities. In M. Uddin (Ed.), International Law, Climate Change and Bangladesh
(pp. 201–219). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71297-
5_10
Rashid, M. (2023). Bangladeshi Laws, Policies, and Plans to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate
Change. In W. Leal Filho, G. J. Nagy, & D. Y. Ayal (Eds.), Handbook of Nature-Based
Solutions to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (pp. 1–28). Springer
International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98067-2_13-1
Saleh, M. F. (2015, September 3). Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995—An
Overview | BDLD. https://bdlawdigest.org/bangladesh-environment-conservation-act-
1995.html
Sarker, M. A. (n.d.). Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100.
The Forest Act, 1927. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-
144.html
Toward 2030: Strategies for SDG success in Bangladesh | United Nations Development
Programme. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2025, from
https://www.undp.org/bangladesh/news/toward-2030-strategies-sdg-success-bangladesh
World Bank 2023. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar/publication/bangladesh-country-environment-
analysis-2023
বন অধিদপ্তর-গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাাংলাদদশ সরকার. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from
https://bforest.gov.bd/
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