[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

In blind pursuance of materiality, people have forgot the basics. The basics are preserving soil quality i.e make it more fertile by organic material addition, water quality, water conservation, tree plantation and forestation etc. We keep cutting forests and build concrete jungles.

Totally agree with you. In Bangladesh people cut trees in a festive mood. They have no regards for environment.

 

[Saif]

Take stern action to protect our environment

Ineffectiveness of government measures raises concerns

www.thedailystar.net

Take stern action to protect our environment
Ineffectiveness of government measures raises concerns

VISUAL: STAR

It is frustrating to see the relentless onslaught on our nature even now. Indiscriminate hill cutting, deforestation, encroachment of water bodies including riverside areas, illegal sand lifting, and rampant tree felling—all are happening as before with the relevant authorities failing to prevent them. Almost every day, we see news of some environmental degradation somewhere in the country. The continuation of this situation even after the fall of the Awami League government and the installation of a pro-environment leadership is alarming.

For example, a photo published on the front page of this daily on October 17 revealed one such incident, which showed a hill being cut to make way for housing at Tukerbajar union in Sylhet Sadar. Reportedly, at least six hills have been cut in the area recently. What's more alarming is that, despite locals' complaints, neither the Department of Environment nor the district administration took any action to halt this destruction. The front page of our October 18 issue again published a photo showing how illegally sourced logs were being burnt inside makeshift furnaces in Khulna's Rupsha upazila, leading to environmental pollution. Another report published on October 17 reveals illegal sand extraction at the Raghunandan Hill Reserve Forest in Habiganj. While hill-cutting is directly linked with landslides, sand extraction exacerbates soil erosion and increases landslide risks.

The question is, how can individuals destroy hills, illegally extract sand or fell trees right under the administration's nose? Over the years, this daily has published numerous reports exposing such illegal practices and written countless editorials urging the authorities to take action against those involved. Yet, nothing seems to stir their conscience. Earlier this year, we witnessed local influentials ravaging a hill in Chinipara of Bandarban's Chimbuk area to build a road to transport illegally felled trees. More recently, local influentials cut off the top of Nagin Pahar, a hill in Chattogram, for residential construction. And just the other day, reports emerged about the Water Development Board felling 50,000 trees to collect soil for an embankment in Khulna's Koyra upazila.

Sadly, in all these instances, local administrations either remained silent or were themselves complicit. We know how individuals connected with the previous regime directly engaged in anti-environment acts, but to see this practice persist after regime change questions the sincerity of the present administration. Reportedly, in many cases, AL-affiliated individuals have been replaced by BNP-affiliated ones. We urge our environment adviser to investigate these matters and take stern action against anyone involved in activities detrimental to the environment. We have ample laws for environmental protection; it is time to put them to proper use.​

 

[Saif]

Reclaiming forests should be a policy priority

PROPER conservation of forest land is considered foundational in maintaining ecological balance, managing rising temperatures, and protecting habitat in times of...

www.newagebd.net

Reclaiming forests should be a policy priority
20 October, 2024, 00:00

PROPER conservation of forest land is considered foundational in maintaining ecological balance, managing rising temperatures, and protecting habitat in times of natural disasters, but Bangladesh has lost 4.58 lakh acres of forest land, including 1.38 lakh acres of reserve forests, in 70 years since the completion of the cadastral survey in 1940. A recent survey of the forest department reported that at least 160,000 grabbers illegally occupied about 256,000 acres of forest land since the country’s independence. In 2021–2023, the forest department reclaimed 31,000 acres of land from illegal grabbers. Of the 11,000 acres of forest land in Gazipur and Dhaka, a large share is encroached by big businesses and politically influential quarters. During the tenure of the recently deposed Awami League, recovering encroached forest land was a challenging task as a nexus of politicians, forest officials, and law enforcers were involved in the encroachment of forests. In the changed political context, with the fall of the AL regime in August and the interim government’s expressed commitment to environmental causes, it was expected that recovering stolen forest land would be expedited, but that has not been the case. The forest department has recovered only about 500 acres of forest land in the past two months.

Environmentalists have expressed deep concern about the rapid deforestation in the country, as it is gravely impacting the country’s biodiversity, air quality, and general climate condition. Conservationists have reported that at least 31 wild life species are already extinct, and another 391 such species are declared endangered unless their living environment, that is, the forests, is protected. There are High Court orders that any notified forest area, no matter whether declared reserved forest or not, could not be allotted or leased for any purpose that would damage the country’s forest. Yet, at least 22 projects taken up by the AL government are on forest land between Mirsharai of Chattogram and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. The Mirsharai mangrove forest, which spanned across 22,500 acres of land, was created by the coastal division in 1976; now most of it has been leased out to the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority. There are other similar instances. The interim government has been reviewing development projects, and it cancelled some mega projects considering the huge expense involved, but no similar move was taken considering the environmental cost.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Totally agree with you. In Bangladesh people cut trees in a festive mood. They have no regards for environment.

Sadguru has a great mission. He wants to reestablish the flow of Kaveri which happened to be few decades ago. It is named as Kaveri calling. He has planned to plant 2430 million trees in Kaveri basin.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

109 million trees already planted.

Cauvery Calling movement: 2 crore saplings planted in 2023-24, total reaches 10.9 crore | India News - Times of India

India News: NEW DELHI: Envisioned by Sadhguru, the Cauvery Calling movement has achieved significant milestones in its mission to revitalize the Cauvery River and.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[Saif]

Sadguru has a great mission. He wants to reestablish the flow of Kaveri which happened to be few decades ago. It is named as Kaveri calling. He has planned to plant 2430 million trees in Kaveri basin.

Who is financing the project? The Indian government?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Who is financing the project? The Indian government?

Volunteers. If you want to donate one tree, you may have to Pay INR 43 incase you are unable to participate physically.

 

[Saif]

Pollution of Louhajang river continues

Within two months after being cleaned by 2,000 volunteers from “BD Clean,” the Louhajang River in Tangail has quickly reverted to its polluted state.

www.thedailystar.net

Pollution of Louhajang river continues

Pollution and encroachment continue unabated in Louhajang river as local authorities remain inactive. The 76-kilometre-long river, originating from the Dhaleswari in Boishnabbari and ending at the Banshi River in Jamurki, was once a navigable waterway. PHOTO: STAR

Within two months after being cleaned by 2,000 volunteers from "BD Clean," the Louhajang River in Tangail has quickly reverted to its polluted state.

Pollution and encroachment continue unabated in the river as local authorities remain inactive.

The 76-kilometre-long river, originating from the Dhaleswari in Boishnabbari and ending at the Bangshi River in Jamurki, was once a navigable waterway.

However, senior citizens say, in recent decades, it has turned into a dying canal due to siltation and the blockage of its water flow.

Waste from nearby households, markets, mills, and factories, discharged through drains and pipelines, has further worsened the river's condition. The stench of stagnant, polluted water, combined with accumulating rubbish, has become unbearable for those living along the riverbanks.

Locals say their repeated calls for action have gone unanswered.

However, in recent decades, it has turned into a dying canal due to siltation and the blockage of its water flow. PHOTO: STAR

Ratan Siddiqui, general secretary of the District River Canal Water Bodies Protection Committee, said efforts to clean the river have been limited to only a one-kilometre stretch in town.

The remaining 75 kilometres of the waterbody continue to suffer from encroachment and pollution, as no one dares confront the powerful vested interests responsible for it, he added.

Meanwhile, Azad Khan Bhasani, president of Bhasani Parishad, said attempting to free the river from encroachment without restoring its original flow will be proven futile.

Ruhul Amin Sharif, assistant commissioner (land) in Sadar upazila, said reviving the river requires expert planning to address its silted source.

At a recent meeting organised by the environmental group 'Nongar,' civil society members criticised the exclusion of experienced environmental activists from new initiatives, claiming that local authorities are sidestepping real solutions.

Contacted, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said the administration will work with all stakeholders to resolve the issue.​

 

[Saif]

Environment department halts Gulshan Lake filling on adviser’s orders

The Department of Environment (DoE) has halted the filling of Gulshan Lake following directives from Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in response to complaints regarding the illegal activity. On Monday afternoon, a team from the DoE, led

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Environment department halts Gulshan Lake filling on adviser’s orders
UNB
Published :
Oct 21, 2024 23:12
Updated :
Oct 21, 2024 23:12

The Department of Environment (DoE) has halted the filling of Gulshan Lake following directives from Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in response to complaints regarding the illegal activity.

On Monday afternoon, a team from the DoE, led by Executive Magistrate Faizunnessa Akhter, conducted an on-site investigation in the area. During the inspection, they found evidence of lake filling in some parts of Gulshan Lake.

As a result, the DoE issued a notice to stop all filling activities in the identified portion of the lake until further orders. They also warned that legal action would be taken if the instructions were violated.

Gulshan Lake is classified as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), where filling is strictly prohibited under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act.

DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid stated that such drives would continue to prevent environmental pollution and protect the country's natural resources.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Pollution of Louhajang river continues

Within two months after being cleaned by 2,000 volunteers from “BD Clean,” the Louhajang River in Tangail has quickly reverted to its polluted state.

www.thedailystar.net

Pollution of Louhajang river continues

View attachment 9930
Pollution and encroachment continue unabated in Louhajang river as local authorities remain inactive. The 76-kilometre-long river, originating from the Dhaleswari in Boishnabbari and ending at the Banshi River in Jamurki, was once a navigable waterway. PHOTO: STAR

Within two months after being cleaned by 2,000 volunteers from "BD Clean," the Louhajang River in Tangail has quickly reverted to its polluted state.

Pollution and encroachment continue unabated in the river as local authorities remain inactive.

The 76-kilometre-long river, originating from the Dhaleswari in Boishnabbari and ending at the Bangshi River in Jamurki, was once a navigable waterway.

However, senior citizens say, in recent decades, it has turned into a dying canal due to siltation and the blockage of its water flow.

Waste from nearby households, markets, mills, and factories, discharged through drains and pipelines, has further worsened the river's condition. The stench of stagnant, polluted water, combined with accumulating rubbish, has become unbearable for those living along the riverbanks.

Locals say their repeated calls for action have gone unanswered.

View attachment 9931
However, in recent decades, it has turned into a dying canal due to siltation and the blockage of its water flow. PHOTO: STAR

Ratan Siddiqui, general secretary of the District River Canal Water Bodies Protection Committee, said efforts to clean the river have been limited to only a one-kilometre stretch in town.

The remaining 75 kilometres of the waterbody continue to suffer from encroachment and pollution, as no one dares confront the powerful vested interests responsible for it, he added.

Meanwhile, Azad Khan Bhasani, president of Bhasani Parishad, said attempting to free the river from encroachment without restoring its original flow will be proven futile.

Ruhul Amin Sharif, assistant commissioner (land) in Sadar upazila, said reviving the river requires expert planning to address its silted source.

At a recent meeting organised by the environmental group 'Nongar,' civil society members criticised the exclusion of experienced environmental activists from new initiatives, claiming that local authorities are sidestepping real solutions.

Contacted, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said the administration will work with all stakeholders to resolve the issue.​

These are unfortunate realities. In national news in India, I heard that Delhi air pollution has crossed danger level.

 

[Saif]

These are unfortunate realities. In national news in India, I heard that Delfi air pollution has crossed danger level.

Bangladesh has banned plastic bags to protect the environment but nobody listens to it.

 

[Dogun18]

Bangladesh has banned plastic bags to protect the environment but nobody listens to it.

Don't Bangladeshis abide by their law? Or is this just the mentality of our South Asian people?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Bangladesh has banned plastic bags to protect the environment but nobody listens to it.

When I travel to the jungle in Tribal area, I bless those tribal people for beautifully preserving those Jungles, rivers and local Flora and fauna. If I post some photos of those beautiful jungles, you will get mesmerized to see its beauty. I travel to those jungles atleast 6 to 7 days in rainy season and 4 to 5 days in other seasons.

 

[Saif]

Don't Bangladeshis abide by their law? Or is this just the mentality of our South Asian people?

There is no dearth of law breakers in Bangladesh. But this time the interim government has established a watch dog to force the law breakers to abide by law.

 

[Saif]

Climate Apartheid and Bangladesh

The World Risk Index 2023 has ranked Bangladesh ninth worldwide for climate disaster risk, stating it is set to lose 30 percent of its arable by 2050.

www.thedailystar.net

Climate Apartheid and Bangladesh

It is estimated that 92 percent of the greenhouse gases were emitted from the Global North over the last two centuries. PHOTO COURTESY: FARZANA FARUK JHUMU

The incessant rain, flash floods, distraught environmental migrants, and land erosion that we have witnessed in Bangladesh in recent years is not unforeseen, but exactly what scientists predicted decades ago. It is not based on a 'hunch' and it is definitely not fear-mongering as many climate crisis deniers claim. It is equivalent to one's house being on fire while they carry on with their tasks with a blindfold on.

The World Risk Index 2023 has ranked Bangladesh ninth worldwide for climate disaster risk, stating it is set to lose 30 percent of its arable land by 2050 owing to rising sea levels. Rice, a staple in the Bangladeshi diet, will see a steep decrease in its production as well. On top of that, the country is predicted see a loss of 17 percent of its overall territory. As Bangladesh is highly reliant on agriculture and dangerously overpopulated, that will prove to be disastrous on several fronts with food insecurity as well as possibilities of famine close at hand. Unemployment, housing crisis, and poverty would also be widespread.

It is rueful to witness the disastrous effects of rising sea levels in Bangladesh although the country has contributed to less than 0.1 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions since its genesis in 1971. Known as the land of rivers, the melting of the Himalayan Glaciers is a looming threat to its river system overflowing and causing excessive flooding. The unpredictable nature of climate change necessitates a sturdy approach to its consequences, but the Bangladeshi government fails to construct any operational policies to tackle the climate crisis effectively.

While Bangladesh's own unstable political mood contributes to minimal attention paid to its policies regarding climate change, it also boils down to climate politics of the Global North. Although this is a global crisis and not a regional one, its record of blatant disregard for the disproportionate impact of climate change on the marginalised Global South warrants a discussion.

We can see the risks of flagrant climate apartheid in the making—the wealthy countries have the luxury to escape the heat, floods, droughts, and diseases caused by the climate crisis, all because they have the resources to do so, resources which they have shamelessly hoarded by exploiting the Global South through colonialism and imperialism. The best example is perhaps the Netherlands, a former colonial power and Bangladesh, a former colony. Owing to the rising sea levels and both countries lying in a delta, they face similar challenges, but one has the requisite infrastructure in place to tackle the crisis while the other utterly lacks it. Climate apartheid is prevalent within the borders of Bangladesh itself. Many have pointed out that the recent floods in Feni and Sherpur paint a stark picture of the different reactions to people's suffering. While the former region with a wealthy population received an outpour of support, the latter was largely overlooked as its population is not as wealthy.

From the abovementioned instances, we can conclude that the havoc the climate crisis will wreak will not be experienced equally. It will, however, definitely be experienced unfairly. The Industrial Revolution began in Europe and North America from the mid to late eighteenth century respectively, and resulted in most countries on these continents boasting the 'developed' status in the past few decades. It is estimated that 92 percent of the greenhouse gases were emitted from the Global North over the last two centuries. Despite it all, the blame of the climate crisis is dishonestly heaved on the 'developing' nations. Not only that, the West also continues to selfishly demand that developing nations restrain their industrialisation, even though it undoubtedly entails the slowing down of economic growth for those nations along with spikes in unemployment and poverty.

While there is no doubt that greenhouse gas emissions must be immediately reduced if not entirely halted, there is a need for constructive solutions in these developing nations. These solutions require funds which have been promised by the wealthy West but they have consistently failed to provide them. Instead of exporting the requisite technology and funds, they have been exporting reprimands to the Global South. On the same vein, those self-proclaimed environmentally conscious countries set up their air and river polluting factories there and add a 'responsibly sourced' tag to greenwash their products in the West. The hypocrisy of the West continues, but the reality is that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, and that warrants Bangladesh to act swiftly. Historically, the country has placed climate change at the very bottom of its concerns, but now it needs to be given the utmost priority.

The UN reports that due to the climate crisis, between the years 2030 and 2050, every year 250,000 people globally are estimated to be killed. Hence, it is a battle for existence for many communities, which indubitably makes it a human right concern.

Raina Sabanta is a barrister.​