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Rohingyas destroy Cox’s Bazar ecosystem


Published : 06 Nov 2019 09:31 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 07:39 PM

Rohingyas have destroyed ecological balance in Cox's Bazar, a consequential worry that might tell upon other areas of socio-economic fronts, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said. “They (Rohingyas) have already destroyed 6,800 acres of forest land in Cox’s Bazar. It is an extremely vulnerable location, their presence is affecting our ecosystem. Besides, their regular activities are also deteriorating the rest of forest areas in the district,” he said.

The Foreign Minister came up with these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 15th Meeting of the Governing Council of the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) at a city hotel on Wednesday. “It is the responsibility of the global leadership, especially our South Asian partners, to do more to ensure their (Rohingyas) quick return to Myanmar,” he said adding that, “It is an issue solely between Myanmar and its own people, the Rohingyas.”

He said, “They themselves have to resolve it. Voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in Rakhine state in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis.” Protected and restored ecosystems and the biodiversity can help mitigate climate change and provide increased resilience in the face of mounting human pressures and natural disasters, he mentioned.

Momen said healthy ecosystems produces multiple benefits for communities that rely on them. The SDGs focuses on preserving and sustainably using the earth’s terrestrial species and ecosystems, he said, adding that, achieving SDGs will critically depend on the availability of resources and rock solid political commitment.

To achieve sustainable development goals by 2030, Bangladesh needs to strengthen her commitment to work collectively in partnership in mobilizing resources both finance and technology and utilizing available knowledge and information for mutual betterment, he said. Momen said, "Our active collaboration and cooperation will be very crucial for successful implementation of the SDGs as well as the Paris Climate Agreement.”

Although the country is doing well, it is faced with a big challenge and this is climate change, he said adding that, our vulnerability to climate change impacts is well evidenced and well documented. “I must not bore you with facts or figures to illustrate Bangladesh as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change; rather I would reiterate how Bangladesh has become one of the most resilient countries in the world,” he mentioned.

The Foreign Minister said nevertheless with limited resources, the government is addressing the consequences of climate change. “Despite being a developing country, we spend more than 1 percent of our GDP in combating climate change,” he said adding that, “We are pursuing a low carbon development path with increasing emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation.”
Over the last few years, the government has installed more than five million solar home systems in off grid areas and more than 3.5 million improved cook stoves, he said.

Momen said “We have built over 14,000 cyclone shelters and we mobilize nearly 42000 volunteers in case of cyclone disaster warning within hours’ notice”. “We have taken initiatives to increase tree coverage from 22 percent to 24 percent in the next five years”, he added.
“So far Bangladesh has created 200000 hectares of coastal forests as shelterbelt to protect the offshore areas from tidal surges and waves,” he said adding that, “Bangladesh is also successfully managing 600000 hectares of the Sundarbans Mangrove forest, a great carbon sink. We have been engaged in creating resilient forests in offshore areas to protect forest dependent communities and habitats of important forest biodiversity.”

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Indian Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Keshav Javadekar, Minister of State for Environment, Republic of the Maldives Ahmed Mujthaba, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar and Director General, SACEP (South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme) Abas Basir, among others, were also present.

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