**7. Suggested framework**

In 2004, the Department of Shipping (DOS), Bangladesh drafted a 'Marine Environment Conservation Act 2004,' which has not been ratified yet. It hoped that the government would enact comprehensive maritime environmental protection laws and regulations, including LMP control, to protect the BOB from land-based sources of pollution. In 2006, the National Program of Action (NPA) under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) identified 12 major issues that are the critical sources of land-based pollution at BOB. Generally, climate change, industrial waste (including ship breaking yards), land-use change, deforestation, coastal zone erosion, sewage disposal, agrochemicals, solid waste management, salinity intrusion, rapid urbanization, and coastal tourism is the main creature of pollution in the marine environment. To prevent LMP, international soft laws, complex laws, and conventions are available to deal with marine environmental pollution worldwide. However, Bangladesh ratified some of the laws and conventions but has not yet enacted any law regarding marine pollution control due to a lack of proper national legal framework and willingness of the government; these conventions have not yet been ratified. On the other hand, Bangladesh cannot fully implement international marine environmental pollution related to legal issues due to a shortage of financial reasons [21]. As Bangladesh has an ocean boundary but no marine policy to restore the ocean resources at BOB, it is necessary to set up a marine policy emphasizing LMPCA.

LMPCA framework for Bangladesh can be developed based on active approach, responsibility, indigenization, standards, norms, practices, monitoring, assessment, legal compliance, etc. The layout and contents of the LMPCA can be categorized into four segments. The first segment covers the mission, vision, objectives, goals, and guiding principles. The second segment should contain the LMPCA domain discussing sea area, geography, resources, economy, sources, and impacts of marine pollution with an example. The third segment contains the proposed framework's challenges, implementation, and monitoring mechanisms. The last segment sets out detailed policy guidelines for all stakeholders and leads actors. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) and the Ministry of Shipping (MOS) can jointly create legislation for favorable economic and environmental conditions in ship recycling areas by implementing hazardous waste treatment facilities and ensuring logistic support for enforcing Law and order against marine pollution. Besides, the Department of Tourism ensures the sea beaches management and formulation of strategies to strengthen eco-tourism. Department of Fisheries (DOF) carries out R&D in marine

fishing. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) undertakes research and projects to conserve marine landscapes and ecosystems for sustainable management of marine living resources from marine pollution.

The MoEFCC, MoS, and other related departments (**Figure 2**) should jointly advise the act's functions. The policy guidelines will be standard for their sectors but preliminary. The policy can follow the TWMZ act, 1974, and MEC act, 2004, to organize the policy structure. Comprehensive policy guidelines for marine environment protection from marine pollution are set out for all sectors and stakeholders related to maritime activities. So all the guidelines are directed towards the lead ministries where some are very common for all, and some are specific to marine environment protection. MoEF takes all measures to prevent pollution and Implements laws and

**Figure 2.**

*A suggested framework for implementing LMPCA in Bangladesh.*

regulations to protect the marine environment from land-based sources and sea-based activities. This ministry also develops a marine environmental and coastal protection strategy and conservation. MoS take measures to develop an eco-transport network during the seaborne trade. Create a conductive eco-friendly policy for flourishing private shipping industries regarding marine environmental pollution. The ministry also takes adequate measures to ensure the environmental safety of Bangladeshi vessels.
