Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin said that the government is implementing ecosystem-based adaptation system in Barendra and Haor areas of the country to deal with the adverse effects of climate change. As part of this, re-excavation of canals, bevels, ponds and afforestation is being done in Hakaluki Haor area of Sylhet division. Similarly, in Barendra area of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, digging of ponds and canals and afforestation activities are being implemented for rainwater harvesting.
The Environment Minister said these things today at Sujanagar of Baralekha Upazila of Moulvibazar while delivering the speech of the chief guest at the inaugural event of re-excavation of Madhabchhara Canal, 3 Bills and 18 Ponds under the Ecosystem Based Approaches to Adaptation in the Drought Prone Barind Tract and Haor Wetland Area (EBA) project under implementation by the Department of Environment.
The Environment Minister said that training is being provided to increase the capacity of government officials and local people on ecosystem-based adaptation approaches. As part of the adaptation program, environment and ecosystem friendly alternative employment arrangements including medicinal plant cultivation, fish farming, various types of fruit cultivation will be taken up for the local people. He said that the effects of climate change will be dealt with by involving people from all walks of life.
Baralekha Upazila Parishad Chairman Shoeb Ahmad, Baralekha Municipality Mayor Abul Imam Md. Kamran Chowdhury, Moulvibazar District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Akhtaruzzaman and EBA Project Director AKM Rafiqul Islam were present as special guests at the inauguration ceremony.
