Sultana Kamal, an adviser to the former caretaker government; said that political will is needed to protect the environment and the planet. “For this reason our organisational capacity has to reach such a level that the political power is forced to be accountable for playing its proper role,” she added.
Sultana Kamal, also chairman of the advisory board of the Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (We for Protecting the Planet- Dhora) said these while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion in Cox’s Bazar.
‘Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (We for Protecting the Planet- Dhora)’ and the Waterkeepers Bangladesh jointly arranged the discussion on “Environmental Crisis of Cox's Bazar and the Citizens’ Thoughts” on Thursday (January 25, 2024).
Sharmeen Murshid, convener of Dhora and chief executive officer of non-government organisation Brotee; presided over the event, while Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dhora and convener of Waterkeepers Bangladesh; spoke on the occasion as the chief discussant. Abdul Karim Chowdhury Kim, Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, AJM Giasuddin Chowdhury and freedom fighter Akhtaruz Zaman Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, among others.
In her presidential speech, Sharmeen Murshid said that youths should be more involved in the efforts to protect the environment. The movement to protect environment and the planet should be spread at the school level, she added. She emphasized on involving honest and devoted men and women in this endeavour.
During his speech Sharif Jamil also presented a research paper titled “Assessment of the state of the environment and ecology for Cox’s Bazar and its surrounding areas” conducted by Waterkeepers Bangladesh.
He highlighted the causes of environmental disaster and measures to be taken in Cox’s Bazar and its surrounding areas. Development activities are destroying rivers, forests, mountains, biodiversity and sea beach in Cox’s Bazar. St. Martin is almost drowning due to the weight of additional brick and stone buildings, he added.
“Various rivers, including Bankkhali, Phuleshwari of Eidgaon, Matamuhuri of Chakaria and Kohelia of Maheshkhali are getting lost for encroachment and pollution. The virgin island of Sonadia is also under threat,” he said.
He further said, “It will be difficult to save Cox's Bazar if we don’t take action now. The future of the nation depends on the future of Cox's Bazar. It is not just a problem of Cox's Bazar, it is now a national problem. So, Cox’s Bazar should be saved with concerted efforts by identifying the environmental destroyers.”
