Mintoo Warns Industries of Tough Action Over River Pollution

The government will take stricter measures against industries that discharge untreated waste into rivers, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has warned.

Speaking at a stakeholder consultation on pollution control in the Buriganga and Turag rivers, Mintoo said economic development must go hand in hand with environmental protection. He stressed that Bangladesh cannot pursue prosperity while allowing industrial activities to damage the environment.

The consultation was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Department of Environment’s conference room in Agargaon. Industrial representatives, government agencies and other stakeholders discussed pollution from industrial waste entering the Buriganga, Turag and their connected canals.

Mintoo said the government would take a firm position against factories operating without Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), particularly those contributing to pollution in the Buriganga, Turag and Balu rivers.

Industries that do not have ETPs will be required to install them, while factories with existing treatment facilities will have to ensure they are operated regularly. The minister emphasized that simply having an ETP on factory premises does not mean the facility is complying with environmental requirements.

The consultation brought together officials from different units of the Department of Environment, including monitoring and enforcement, waste and chemical management, environmental clearance and the Dhaka regional office.

Several major industry bodies also participated in the discussion. Representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Garments Washing Industries Association and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) joined the consultation.

Government agencies involved in the meeting included the Bangladesh Navy, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Local Government Division, Ministry of Shipping, Department of Environment, Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Rajuk and the two Dhaka city corporations.

The minister also said businesses that make genuine efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their operations would receive government support. At the same time, he cautioned government officials against using environmental regulations as a means of unnecessarily harassing businesses.

Participants raised various challenges and proposals related to industrial waste management, river conservation and pollution control. The discussions reflected the need for coordination among the agencies responsible for environmental enforcement, water resources, navigation and municipal services.

The consultation was held as pollution in the capital’s rivers continues to remain a major environmental concern. The Environment Ministry had issued an emergency meeting notice on August 12, calling relevant agencies and stakeholders to participate in discussions on the issue.

Mintoo’s warning signals a tougher regulatory approach toward industries whose untreated waste contributes to pollution in Dhaka’s major rivers, while also indicating that businesses willing to meet environmental standards will be supported.