DHAKA, Feb 6, 2024 (BSS) - Apart from providing information on the services of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Information and Service Helpline '333-4' was launched today to receive complaints related to environment.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury formally inaugurated this service at a meeting on transformation of smart ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat here.

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and a2i of ICT Division signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make the ministry a smart one and facilitate cooperation and coordination in its overall digital transformation.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed and a2i Project Director (Joint Secretary) Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides.

Speaking on the occasion, Saber Hossain Chowdhury said this MoU will widen the range of digital initiatives aimed at improving government services, increasing internal efficiency and enhancing citizen involvement in addition to setting up facilities for citizens to report complaints to the environment ministry.

E-ticket service will be introduced at various tourist centres, including safari parks, in collaboration with the a2i programme, he said.
 
ADP Tracker will be used to implement the ministry's Annual Development Programme (ADP) and review its progress, the environment ministry said.
 
He said artificial Intelligence (AI) will be integrated in the ministry's institutional memory preservation and planning and policy formulation.
 
Digital solutions will be developed to strengthen enforcement activities on environmental standards and impact assessment, Saber said, adding that online environmental clearance certification and process tracking system will be simplified.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak said a bridge has been created between the two ministries by signing the MoU.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be the first smart ministry, he said.

"From now on, citizens will be able to get information about environmental clearance, laboratories, forest conservation and information of services and officials of the Ministry of Environment and its affiliated entities by calling 333 and then pressing 4," he said.
 
Besides, Palak said, people can submit their allegations about water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, biodiversity loss and illegal forest/mountain destruction and tree felling by using the helpline.

Later, their complaints will be forwarded to the concerned officer's dashboard and the officer will then take necessary action based on the complaints and the beneficiaries will get updates through SMS or call 333, he said.
 
Additional Secretary (Development) of the environment ministry Dr Fahmida Khanom, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid and Chief Conservator of Forest Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury were, among others, also present.