Mostafa Yousuf

The ecocidal mindset of our policymakers

The question posed by the bureaucrat reflects not only the depth of his ignorance but also reveals the general mindset of our policymakers.

8m ago

Rajuk caves in to realtors’ pressure

Just over a year ago, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) adopted a new Detailed Area Plan (DAP), introducing height restrictions for buildings in a bid to enhance Dhaka’s liveability.

1y ago

Climate fund stuck in Farmers Bank

The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust was supposed to get back in 2016 the Tk 538 crore, plus the accumulated interest, it deposited with the then Farmers Bank. However, it has so far received just Tk 74 crore after around seven years.

1y ago

Study finds high level of microplastics in salt

A recent study has found a surge in harmful microplastics in sea salt produced over the last couple of years in the country.

1y ago

Medical college to be built on Chandpur wetland

The Ecnec yesterday approved a project to construct a medical college, hospital and nursing college partially on a wetland in Chandpur despite Planning Commission’s observation that the project cost may rise because of the nature of the chosen site.

1y ago

Now, trees cut for govt housing project

Workers under supervision of the Public Works Department (PWD) officials yesterday cut down trees to make space for a housing block for parliament officials and staff near Shahid Shahabuddin Road in the capital’s Agargaon without authorisation from relevant authorities.

1y ago

Dohazari-Cox’s bazar rail line: Asian elephants to face existential threat

The new Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway line, which cuts through three forested areas, is likely to obstruct the free movement of the critically endangered Asian elephants that use these forests as corridors.

1y ago

Purbachal to host country’s first urban forest

When rapid unplanned urbanisation has been engulfing the green coverage of Dhaka, a praiseworthy initiative has been taken to create the country’s first ever urban forest in Purbachal Residential Area of the capital.

1y ago
June 5, 2023
June 5, 2023

Plastic most lethal among all waste

Plastics are silently piling on the environmental miseries of Bangladesh, one of the most climate change-vulnerable countries in the world.

June 3, 2023
June 3, 2023

No fiscal resources for environment

Though the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been allocated Tk 1,639 crore in the national budget 2023-24 -- a Tk 282 crore increase from the previous year’s budget -- the government did not allocate any fiscal resources to deal with the environmental threats, including the rising temperature and natural catastrophes.

May 31, 2023
May 31, 2023

Rescued from traffickers, Great Hornbills end up in captivity

Four Great Hornbills that were rescued from traffickers in Chattogram’s Baskhali upazila have been taken to captivity in Chattogram Zoo in violation of Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act-2012

May 20, 2023
May 20, 2023

Need to protect mangroves for coastal people

Kamal Hossen is a recently retired professor at the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science of Chattogram University. In a conversation with The Daily Star, he emphasised the importance of the conservation of mangrove forests.

May 20, 2023
May 20, 2023

Destroying the last line of defence

Coastal residents at great risk of cyclones as mangrove forests cut down, leased and grabbed for ‘development’

May 16, 2023
May 16, 2023

BSCIC to set up salt research and training institute

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has taken up a project to enhance local salt production so that the country becomes self-reliant in meeting its demand for the seasoning.

May 10, 2023
May 10, 2023

Trees felled flouting rules

The lush greenery of Dhaka is slowly disappearing, and in some instances the perpetrator behind this devastation is none other than the Dhaka South City Corporation.

April 7, 2023
April 7, 2023

Birds long dead, money meant for their feed ‘embezzled’

Forest department officials have shown dead exotic birds of an aviary in Chattogram as alive in documents allegedly for six years embezzling the money meant for bird feed.

April 7, 2023
April 7, 2023

Aftermath of the blaze: Dark days ahead for traders of Bangabazar

Nur Alam, 60, a seasoned trader of Bangabazar, is still traumatised by the fire that took place there 28 years ago, in the same way as the recent one. During that time, it took him only a year to bounce back. However, this time he is doubtful whether that can happen.

April 4, 2023
April 4, 2023

683 buildings storing flammable items in basements

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), the capital’s building-regulation authority, has found that 683 buildings in eight zones of the capital are using their basements to store flammable items, violating building-construction rules.