The government is implementing multifaceted programmes to deal with climate change risks in the Sundarbans coastal region.
To protect people’s life during cyclone and water surge, the government is creating a green belt through massive afforestation along the coast. So far, 2277 square kilometers of char afforestation have been done in the coastal area.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said this while speaking as the chief guest at the national dialogue organised for getting recommendations to deal with the harmful effects of climate change in the Sundarban coastal region at the Parliament Members Club auditorium of Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday.
The Environment Minister said, “Under the Sundarbans protection programme, 52 percent of its area has been declared as a protected area and all types of forest resource extraction has been banned from there. Various activities including declaration of sanctuaries have been taken to protect wildlife including tigers, deer, dolphins and crocodiles.
In addition, projects or programmes related to capacity building of local communities, poverty alleviation and human resource development have also been undertaken.
“Four new ponds have been dug and 84 old ones have been re-excavated to ensure supply of drinking water for foresters, forest workers and wildlife inside the Sundarbans. Only if the government, as well as all concerned work together, we will be able to reduce the risk of climate changes in the Sundarban coastal area,” added the minister.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar spoke as the special guest at the dialogue held with president of the Sundarbans and Coast Protection Movement Nikhil Chandra Bhadra in the chair.
Mir Mostak Ahmed Rabi, Member of Parliament from Satkhira-2 Constituency, Syeda Rubina Akter and Gloria Jharna, Members of Parliament for Reserved Women seats and Sharif Jamil, General Secretary of Bangladesh Environment Movement, spoke as panel discussants.
The keynote paper was presented by Mohan Kumar Mondal, Executive Director of Leaders. Representatives of the southwest coastal area, non-governmental development organizations, donor organizations, researchers, civil society and representatives of the mass media spoke in the dialogue.
