Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has called upon officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that all government buildings are constructed and transformed into green buildings. She emphasized the urgent need for clear directives in this regard and instructed PWD to prepare a comprehensive Green Building Manual within the next one month. She stated that no ministry or department should be allowed to bypass the green building requirements. According to her, mandatory guidelines will help ensure reduced water consumption, greater access to natural light, and the adoption of modern, environment-friendly construction practices.
She made these comments while speaking at a seminar titled Environment Management, Green Procurement and Green Building held at the conference hall of the PWD headquarters in Dhaka.
The Adviser further noted that the construction sector must be modernized and that necessary reforms in government policies are essential. Lakes, she said, are meant for people—not for drainage systems—and development cannot proceed at the expense of nature or through commercial activities that harm the environment. She stressed the need to clearly define the respective responsibilities of communities and the government.
Referring to illegal brick kilns, the Adviser highlighted that kilns established on paddy fields are causing fires and pollution, damaging the country’s greenery. Since assuming responsibility, she has overseen the highest number of brick kiln demolitions in Bangladesh’s history. However, she noted that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem unless alternative technologies and materials are promoted. Brick kiln demolition, she said, is not a permanent solution. Sustainable progress requires enforcing the mandatory use of blocks. She urged RAJUK to require a certain percentage of block use in building construction and emphasized that the government, being the largest purchaser of bricks, must actively promote alternative materials.
Speaking at the event, Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Ministry of Industries, said that the condition of many public buildings—including hospitals, prisons, courts and orphanages—remains inadequate and that these facilities must be renovated or reconstructed in an environmentally sustainable manner. He also called for the restoration of urban water bodies and emphasized the need to rebuild all government buildings in ways that support ecological balance.
The seminar was addressed by Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Engineer Reazul Islam, Chairman of RAJUK; Md. Asifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Chief Architect; and Mahmud Ali, Director of the Urban Development Directorate. The session was moderated by Md. Khalequezzaman Choudhury, Chief Engineer of PWD.
Discussants included Engineer Mosleh Uddin Ahmed (Retd.), Engineer Ashek Ahmed Shiblee and Engineer Shah Eyamin-ul-Islam. The seminar was attended by engineers from PWD across the country, along with relevant private-sector representatives.
PowerPoint presentations were delivered on Construction Site Environment Management Plan, Dhanmondi Lake Water Quality Improvement, PPR-2025, Green Procurement, and Green Building.