About 50 million people in coastal areas of Bangladesh are in the face of disasters due to climate change.
This risk is increasing day by day as many coastal areas have remained unprotected for centuries. The rights of the coast must be ensured.
A special day is essential for the coast to highlight the rights and demands of the people of the coast, called ‘Coastal Day’. The government needs to recognize Coastal Day and celebrate it by taking its issues into consideration.
The organizations, Upakul Foundation, Disaster Perception and Save Future Bangladesh staged separate human chains to make the demand in front of the National Press Club on Friday.
The catastrophic storm 'Bhola Cyclone' hit the coastal region on 12 November 1970. This is the most memorable day for the coastal people. Bhola was left in a dire situation by the storm and about 1 million people lost their lives. In addition, millions of cattle died and many resources were lost.
The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) described Bhola Cyclone as the deadliest cyclone in the history of the world. Therefore, the three organizations have demanded to declare this day as Coastal Day.
Speakers at the human chain said that the coastal areas need to be declared disaster risk areas. A Coastal Development Board should be formed. Effective steps must be taken to prevent river erosion. Sustainable block dams need to be built across the coast. Everyone needs to work to improve the quality of life of the people in the coastal areas and ensure their rights.
“Failure to overcome the coastal crisis and protect resources will hamper the achievement of national goals. The overall development of the country is not possible by keeping a large part of the coast undeveloped. We have to move forward with everyone,” said Rafiqul Islam Montu, chief coordinator of the Coastal Day Implementation Committee and a coastal journalist.
Speakers added that about 50 million people in the coastal region are at extreme risk. This risk is increasing day by day as a result of climate change. Many coastal areas have remained unprotected for centuries.
Nayan Sarkar, a climate activist and chief coordinator of Save Future Bangladesh, said, “There is no more time to neglect. The rights of the people on the coast must be ensured. Climate change is causing new disasters in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and people are being harmed. It is essential to have a day to acknowledge this issue.”
Leaders of the organizations, climate activists and others were present at the human chains.
