Muhmmad Munir Chowdhury, former director general of both Anti-Corruption Commission, and National Museum of Science and Technology, has been honored with Environmental Award-2024.
He bagged the award for his enormous contribution to preventing environmental pollution and creating massive environmental awareness among the younger generation.
Munir Chowdhury worked efficiently and courageously for ensuring governance in food safety, port and shipping, power and energy, dairy, land management, anti-corruption and environmental sector throughout his long career in administration cadre.
He took bold steps for strict enforcement of environmental laws and introduced a stringent enforcement drives across the country against environmental crimes.
Under his drive, huge number of industries and corporate establishments owned by ministers, law makers, political high ups in different regimes were convicted.
About 3,000 acres of forest, hills, rivers, water bodies and farmlands were recovered from illegal occupation, 350 illegal and polluting brick kilns were demolished, environmental penalty amounting Tk 74 crore were realised and 70 per cent industries compelled to install and operate effluent treatment plants under his drives.
Moreover, 7,000 local and international vessels in maritime territory were detained and penalised for pollution and violation of marine rules.
Munir had been the pioneer who first initiated application of polluters pay principle by realizing environmental penalty from the polluters under the Bangladesh Environment Act.
As DG of National Science Museum, Munir Chowdhury arranged thousands of environmental awareness programmes and regularly imparted motivational and educational learning programmes to sensitise the younger generation to work for environmental protection.
His efforts inspired the student community in science museum to build a pollution-free country with a spirit of creating environmental citizenship.
An officer of indomitable courage, unparalleled integrity and strong commitment, Munir earned prominence in Bangladesh Civil Service.