BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum

“BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum” who organized and promoted "Exploring Environment of BD:towards effective actions" (Workshop) which was held on 04 May, 2013 at BRAC University Auditorium. It was aninter-institutional workshop. Students from different institutions participatedhere like; BRAC University, North-south University, BUET, East-west University,Dhaka University, Maple Leaf International School etc. The main purpose of thisworkshop was to explore the environmental conditions of Bangladesh.Here we had gone through the issues that how the environment of Bangladesh ischanging, how it is getting polluted, how much it's affecting the citizens, howwe can reduce the pollution etc. There were different specialists who have givenus significant information of the regular environmental occurrence,exploitation and how to reduce them for the betterment of the people. Thediscussion was based on three different elements of environment like land,water, and air. We were supportedby 10:10 Bangladesh,RAIN Forum, and Dhaka University Environment Society & Youth WorkBangladesh.

Honorable guests were :

· ProfessorFuad H Mallick The Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRAC University

· Prof. Dr. Md.Mujibur Rahman, Head of Civil Engineering Department, Bangladesh Universityof Engineering & Technology (BUET)

· Advocate IqbalKabir Lytton of BangladeshEnvironmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

Respected Speakers were :

· Land: S. M. Gubair Bin Arafat, Research Associate, IGS, BRAC University

· Water: AshrafulAlum Ratan, Secretary, RAiN Forum, Bangladesh

· Air: Asif Rahman, Lecturer, MNS Department, BRAC University

Exactly at10.30 am the event was launched by Professor Fuad H Mallick, PhD, Pro-VCof BRAC University. At first Professor Fuad HMallick welcomed our honorable guests and the participants for attending theevent. He stated that after joining as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRACUniversity it was the first event he is attending. After that he shortlydiscussed that how much important is environment for our life and we should beaware for the environment. He encouraged all the participants to think moreabout environment and the pollutions happening around us. At last He appreciated the organizers forarranging this event and also encouraged them for doing more of this kind ofevent so that they can encourage others.

Later on,Professor Dr Mujibur Rahman, the Head ofCivil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering& Technology (BUET) was called upon toshare some his ideas and knowledge. He focused somecrucial issues of environment with a clear-cut comparison withstandard condition. He discussed about how building should be constructedfor the safety of the citizens. He also mentioned the importance of water purewater & water conservation.

At last we called uponAdvocate Iqbal Kabir Lytton of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association(BELA) to share his knowledge where he appreciated the organizers of this eventfor being so punctual and active. In his speech he discussed the legalprospective of the environment. He stated that how people can take legalactions against environmental pollution and infringement of environment law.

After that the main workshopstarted with the presentation of Mr. S. M. Gubair Bin Arafat, the ResearchAssociate, IGS, BRAC University. He discussedthe land pollution of our country. He focused how the land of our country isgetting polluted and loosing its qualities. He also stated how we should beconcerned about the land problems of our country.

After that architect, Ashraful Alam Ratan, theSecretary of Rain Forum, started presentation where he focused on the majorproblems of water of our country. He discussed the water demand, waterscarcity, present circumstances & waterconservation Bangladesh.He stated a slogan "Water is the last hope of life whereas rain water isone of the dependable options" & promoted the “Rain Water Harvestingsystem”. He also stated that how “Rain Water Harvesting system” can be veryeasy to use and how it can help to waterconservation. At last he conducted a little survey among theparticipants on water demand, scarcity& regular usage of water.

Ms. Merel Fuchs from UNV (UnitedNations Volunteer, Bangladesh) was present among uswho conducted "My World. The United Nations Global Survey" and shared her thoughts about thesurvey.

After lunch brake Mr. Asif Rahman,lecturer of MNS department of BRAC University started hispresentation where he discussed about air pollution and the major reasons ofit. He discussed about the major elements of air pollution and its relationwith traffic congestion.

After allthe presentations by the speakers the workshop was ended by giving Certificates to the dedicatedorganizers and the participants and thanking everyone.

Anika Tahgsin Jahan

Vice President

BRAC University Earth & Environment Forum