Strict implementation of the existing laws, creating awareness among people, and devising long-term plans are crucial for protection of environment in the country, speakers opined in a virtual discussion on Friday.
They also called for proper compliance of environmental rules and regulations in industrial units, and involving the compliance issue in the educational institutions concerned.
The views came from an online discussion - 'Biodiversity for wellbeing' - organised by 'Poribesh Bachao Andolon' - POBA (Save the Environment Movement) to mark the World Environment Day on June 5 with the theme 'Time for Nature'.
Department of Environment (DoE) Director General (DG) Dr A K M Rafique Ahammed, POBA Chairman Abu Naser Khan, general secretary Md Abdus Sobhan and joint general secretary Lelin Choudhury spoke on the occasion, among others.
In his speech, Dr Rafique Ahammed said the ongoing pandemic has shown a good example to mankind across the globe that less human intervention helps nature to get back its originality.
"How to deal with nature will be a major question, when the Covid-19 situation will improve."
The DG also said DoE is planning to establish environment clubs and other such platforms in schools in a bid to create awareness among people from their early age.
Every component of environment, including biodiversity, is connected to each other, he noted.
Mr Abdus Sobhan said different types of disasters will continue to haunt mankind frequently, if the ongoing degradation of environment continues unabated at the current pace.
"We must save environment for ourselves, since it provides all our necessary ingredients in different forms."
He also underscored the need for long-term planning to thwart any subversive activities to environment.
Mr Abu Naser Khan underscored the need for protection of agricultural biodiversity.
"Food chain is inseparably connected with different forms of environment, protecting which requires concerted efforts among different government and non-government agencies," he added.
