Lecture 20

Chapter: 04
The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act

Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (BECA) is set of laws enacted by the government of Bangladesh in 1995 to conserve the nation's environment. Despite the Act and its supporting laws and policies the environmental degradation of Bangladesh continues principally under the population pressure.
Environmental Laws are for the conservation and protection of the environment and ecology. These laws lay down the rights and duties of citizens and public agencies in consonance with the global call for a healthy environment. Environmental laws existed in the country right from the 19th century; although they remained either unenforced to a large extent or were inaccurately known to the people and the responsible public agencies. The prevailing traditional practices were not conducive to environmental protection or conservation of resources. Some laws have also become redundant, as the conditions for which these were enacted do not exist any longer. However, the government passed a national conservation strategy, adopted the national environment policy of 1992 and revised the old law by enacting the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995.
Restriction on the driving of vehicles producing smoke harmful to the environment.-
(1) There shall not be driven any vehicle producing smoke which is injurious to health or harmful to the environment.

(2) If the General Manager or any officer authorized by him in this behalf is satisfied that any moving vehicle emits smoke which is injurious to health or harmful to the environment, he may immediately stop and examine the vehicle and may give such directions in respect of anything relating to the examination of the vehicle as he thinks necessary.

REMEDIAL STRATEGIES
(a) Removal of contaminated soil (e.g. by bulldozers);
(b) Alterations in the catchment area to minimize the runoff of radioisotopes from land to water (the secondary load) by planting of trees, digging of channels/ditches, or adding of chemicals to bind the radioisotopes (e.g. lime, potash or dolomite);
(c) Prevention of flooding in the most contaminated areas (e.g. floodplain dams);
(d) Constructions to minimize radionuclide transport to surface water bodies by groundwater flow (e.g. contra-seepage walls in soils).