They also urged the government to allocate more funds for such projects in the national budget for next fiscal.

The seminar on 'Upcoming budget and environment: Some proposals', was organised by the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) at the National Press Club in the city.

Environmentalists, academicians, economists and representatives of the non-governmental organisations took part in the seminar.

In his keynote article, noted economist Dr Atiur Rahman called for formulation of an environment-friendly poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP).

He said zero import tax should be continued in agriculture, fisheries, poultry and dairy sector.

Dr Atiur proposed an 'environment tax' for brick kilns and said these must not be allowed to establish beside the crop land.

He suggested that import tax should be fully withdrawn to encourage import of environment-friendly CNG-run vehicles. Besides, private importers should be given tax holiday to encourage import of CNG-run double-decker buses, he added.

Dr Atiur said fixed budgetary allocation needs for constructing modern flyover in the city. Besides, necessary funds should be allocated for circular waterways around the capital.

He said unfit passenger vessels, which are polluting the water of the rivers releasing oil and diesel, should be banned.

Dr Atiur called for imposing tax on hospitals, clinics, mills and factories that pollute

the environment.

He also stressed the need for more budgetary allocation for the development of solar energy to meet the need of electricity.

Funds should be allocated for training of youths for income generating activities in the rural areas, he added.

In his presidential speech, Prof Muzaffer Ahmed said a system should be developed to judge how much fund has been allocated in the national budget for environmental sector.

He also stressed the need for initiatives by the civil society to uphold the cause of environment.

BAPA Executive Member A M A Muhit, General Secretary Abu Naser Khan, President of the Institute of Architects Mobasher Hossain, Programme Officer of the Coalition for Urban Poor Ashish K Acharjee, and President of Mohanagar Taxi Cab Malik Samity F H Khandaker also spoke at the seminar.