Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday urged political parties to include clear roadmaps and implementation plans in their election manifestos to protect the environment.

She emphasized that the next government must continue ongoing initiatives and ensure accountability to curb pollution.

Speaking at an event titled “Road to Green Manifesto: Dialogue with Political Parties”, organized by non-profit organization Brighters at Department of Environment (DoE) in Dhaka`s Agargaon, Rizwana Hasan highlighted the major sources of air pollution, noting that around 13% comes from brick kilns. Road dust, open construction materials and waste burning are other significant contributors.

“A policy has been formulated to stop black smoke from vehicles, and Savar has been declared a ‘degraded airshed’. However, legal hurdles have slowed down campaigns to close brick kilns,” she said.

She added that Dhaka has experienced fewer peak pollution days this year compared to last and the government has passed a project in ECNEC to expand the capacity of Eastern Refinery to mitigate air pollution.

The adviser also mentioned that the Noise Pollution Regulations 2025 have been drafted, along with separate rules for the conservation of forests and wildlife.

Addressing the youth, Rizwana Hasan urged them to hold the government accountable and continue environmental initiatives systematically.

“We should not lose hope; the work should be carried forward step by step,” she said.

The programme was moderated by Brighters’ Chair Fariha Amir and also featured speeches from CEGIS Executive Director Malik Fida A Khan, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz, event convener Habibur Rahman, Md. Shamsuddoha, BNP’s Israfil Khasru, Islami Andolan’s Fazle Bari Masud, NCP’s Ariful Islam Adib and Monira Sharmin.

Brighters founder and director Saidur Rahman presented a PowerPoint overview.