The government is undertaking and implementing programmes under various projects to reduce the damages caused by climate change and protect the wetlands or haors.
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin said, “To achieve this goal, the people of the haor area are being brought together and village conservation teams are being formed. Wetland sanctuaries have been established through the re-excavation of canals. Tree saplings have been planted in Hakaluki haor to protect homes and resources in the haor areas from the effects of strong waves, with the aim of constructing a submersible dam and establishing a green fence along the dam.”
The environment minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled, 'Climate Change and Our Future: Policymakers Facing Youth' organized by Environment and Haor Development Organization at Dhaka Reporters' Unity's Nasrul Hamid Auditorium on Thursday
“Solar-powered irrigation pumps have been installed to provide irrigation facilities to local farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change. Small capital grants have been provided for alternative income-generating activities of the people dependent on natural resources. In addition, their families have been provided material assistance directly from the project for alternative income-generating work and various training has been provided to enhance their skills,” he further said.
Responding to another question, the environment minister said that Tanguar haor in Sunamganj district and Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar district have been declared as “ecologically critical areas”.
“Tanguar haor was declared as the 2nd Ramsar site in Bangladesh and 1031st in the world on January 20, 2000. The Environmental Crisis Areas Management Rules, 2016 have already been issued for the purpose of proper management of the environmentally critical areas,” said the minister.
He added, “In order to implement the rules, the National Committee for Management of Environmentally Critical Areas, District Committee, Upazila Committee, Union Coordination Committee and Village Conservation Team have been formed. The government is implementing the natural resource and environment management activities of the haor through these committees.”
Replying to another question, the minister said that the government under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing various activities to protect the environment and address the adverse effects of climate change in Bangladesh with its own funds by formulating detailed plans and strategies.
He also said, “National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is being formulated to determine the adaptive strategies and actions to be taken in the long run to tackle climate change. In the formulation of the NAP, consultative meetings are being held at the grassroots level across the country where special importance is being given to the youth in determining what to do to protect future generations.”
Prof Dr Khaliquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation presided over the function.
Md Ashraf Uddin, Director General, Department of Environment was present as the special guest.
The key-note paper was presented by Kasmir Reza, President of Environment and Haor Development Organization. Students from different universities asked questions during this time regarding climate change and measures to be taken by the government.