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

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/stop-disturbing-the-sundarbans-3572721

Stop disturbing the Sundarbans!​

Restrain traffic of ships through the forest

It is deeply concerning that on top of projects, megaprojects, illegal occupations and deforestation ravaging the Sundarbans, traffic of ships through the forest has increased dramatically in recent years. A recent report sheds light on how ships, discharging harmful fumes and sound pollution, and often carrying toxic materials through the forest, have nearly doubled in a decade—from 357 trips monthly in 2012 to 837 trips in 2022, and 701 trips monthly so far this year.

Under the first Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade between Bangladesh and India, signed in 1972, lighter cargo vessels can operate between the two countries using the waterways mostly through the Sundarbans. A major route for these ships goes through at least 100 km of the river system inside the mangrove forest, which takes around eight hours for the vessels to travel. While any motor vehicle, including boats and ships, is strictly prohibited from operating through the forest after sunset till sunrise, ships continue to operate 24/7 unrestrained. The customs station in Angtihara, the entry point to the forest on this route, only logs the trips of the ships and does not monitor if any laws have been broken. While the customs and immigration in India close off at night, our customs office continues to operate throughout the night.
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By allowing these activities, we are now destroying the Sundarbans from the inside. The toxic fumes and loud sounds greatly impact wildlife habitats and breeding environments. The propellers disrupt the marine ecosystem, and the waves cause severe erosions. For instance, the width of rivers on this route has increased from 20-30 metres to 50-60 metres. Most of the ships on this route contain fly ash, coal, and stones from India for our riverside cement factories. In the last seven years, at least 15 such ships have capsized inside the forest, spilling these harmful materials directly into the river.

Bangladesh has now become a land of lost forestlands and dead ecosystems. We have irredeemably destroyed a number of forests and major sources of biodiversity throughout this delta, and even in the hill tracts. The Sundarbans is the last hope for any unique and great population of wildlife to survive. The government must ensure that any activity harming this forest is halted immediately, and look for an alternative route for maritime trade with India as well as consider moving major power plants and factories from the area.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh needs $876b to implement climate action plans: Saber

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said Bangladesh needs US$ 876 billion to implement its ambitious climate action plans and that is why international cooperation is crucial in this regard..He said the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) of the country

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Bangladesh needs $876b to implement climate action plans: Saber

Photo: BSS

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said Bangladesh needs US$ 876 billion to implement its ambitious climate action plans and that is why international cooperation is crucial in this regard.

He said the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) of the country estimates an investment of US$ 230 billion for adaptation till 2050.

The environment minister said this while speaking at an inaugural function of a three-day workshop organised by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) held in BRAC CDM, Savar.

Additionally, he said, implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) requires US$ 175 billion.

"The Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) and the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 estimate that US$ 471.72 billion will be required to implement the identified priority projects," he said.

"Partnership is fundamental. For coordination among the development partners, the government formed Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership," he said.

Saber Chowdhury said climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is an economic, social and developmental issue that affects every sector of the society.

"Mobilising climate finance is essential to support our transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. We must leverage private sector investments, international climate funds, and innovative financing mechanisms. We need to build robust institutional frameworks and enhance our technical capacities to effectively access, manage, and deploy climate finance," he said.

He said the developed countries have a moral and legal responsibility to support developing countries in their climate actions.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/sundarbans-must-be-left-alone-recover-3626856

Sundarbans must be left alone to recover
Alarming rise of resort business surrounding it should be checked

VISUAL: STAR

The heavy battering that the Sundarbans took while trying to fend off fierce winds and tidal surges that came along with Cyclone Remal is beginning to be clearer. The forest department estimates infrastructural damage worth over Tk 6 crore within the forest. But that may be the tip of the iceberg as the real damage—caused to its biodiversity—is impossible to quantify. The forest floor lies covered with uprooted trees and foliage, with animal carcasses being discovered every day. Experts say it might need 30-40 years to restore its natural balance. What, then, the Sundarbans requires is to be left alone to recuperate, not further assaults from the very people it protects.

Yet, that may be precisely what's in store for the forest, with an alarming rise of resort business surrounding it in recent years. As per a report by Prothom Alo, resorts are being built close to the Sundarbans, some extending into its rivers, despite environmental laws prohibiting construction or activities detrimental to the forest within 10 kilometres of it. So far, some 14 resorts have been built in Khulna and Satkhira by cutting down trees and filling up canals and low-lying areas, with eight more under construction. These resorts often operate generators and air conditioning systems, causing noise, water, light, and soil pollution, as well as disturbing and even driving away the wildlife.

Since 2021, the number of resorts has increased fourfold to accommodate an ever-growing number of tourists. If the trend holds, experts fear it may not be long before the Sundarbans meets the fate of the heavily degraded Bhawal Forest in Gazipur. It's an irony that while the Sundarbans stands as our first line of defence against natural disasters in coastal regions, we are failing to defend it from our own actions. True, the rise in so-called community-based ecotourism has brought some benefits to local populations. But the lack of environmental scrutiny has meant that it has been totally unsustainable. The risk comes not just from resorts and cottages alone.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

The environment is in peril. Act now.

Our actions to protect the environment should not be confined to just one day.

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The environment is in peril. Act now.

In Satkhira and Patuakhali, drinking water is a significant challenge due to its high salt content. Photo: AFP

We recently travelled to a couple of villages in Satkhira and Patuakhali, and stayed there for a few days during a heatwave. The electricity frequently went out, leaving us without fans or air conditioning. The stillness of the air made it unbearable, and almost everyone became tired and sick. Women, who cook and take care of families, and those who were out for work—rickshaw pullers, farmers, people with disabilities, and the elderly—suffered the most.

In Satkhira and Patuakhali, drinking water is a significant challenge due to its high salt content. The declining water table has rendered normal tube wells ineffective, leaving only deep tube wells functional. Consequently, many families are forced to purchase water, which is expensive. Many people cannot consume the necessary amount of water, leading to dehydration and various illnesses such as heat stroke, high blood pressure, and skin diseases. Women and adolescent girls are particularly affected, with their sexual and reproductive health at risk. The situation has also exacerbated gender-based violence. Women and girls spend two to three hours collecting a single bucket of water, often facing sexual abuse and having to drop out of school.

A UNICEF-WHO report from 2023 highlights that globally, 1.8 billion people live in households without water supplies on the premises. In seven out of 10 such households, women and girls aged 15 and older are primarily responsible for water collection, compared to three in 10 households for their male peers. Girls under 15 (seven percent) are also more likely than boys under 15 (four percent) to fetch water. Women and girls typically undertake longer journeys to collect water, losing valuable time for education, work, and leisure, while also risking physical injury and danger.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
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[Saif]

Forests in Bangladesh are disappearing when we need them most

The rate of deforestation in Bangladesh is almost double the global average due to land use change and human activities.

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Forests in Bangladesh are disappearing when we need them most

Bangladesh was once known for its lush greenery and biodiversity. But at present, the country faces significant challenges in preserving its forests, with the rate of deforestation almost double the global average due to land use change and human activities. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangladesh's forest cover is estimated to be 2.33 million hectares (15.78 percent of land), whereas the Forest Department says it is 2.57 million hectares (17.31 percent of land).

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has witnessed a concerning loss of 8,390 hectares of humid primary forest, accounting for 3.5 percent of all tree cover depletion during this time. The country saw a significant decrease of 8.7 percent in the total area of humid primary forest.

Land use change, primarily driven by agricultural expansion, urbanisation and infrastructure development, has led to the degradation and fragmentation of forest lands in Bangladesh.

While agriculture is a cornerstone of our economy, finding a balance between agricultural productivity and forest conservation is crucial. According to a report in 1973, at least 9,749.98 hectares of Madhupur forest was completely covered with sal forest, whereas in 2015 the forest converted to acacia, pineapple, rubber, banana plantation, mixed forestry, agriculture and marsh, leaving only 2,671.99 hectares of actual sal forest. Initiated in 1989-1990 with ADB funding, social forestry cleared natural sal forests for exotic eucalyptus and acacia plantations of around 5,000 acres. In recent years, the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) forests have been illegally razed for cassava farming, destroying rich biodiversity.

Social forestry initiatives, which involve planting fast-growing species like eucalyptus and acacia, aim to meet the demand for timber and fuelwood. However, these plantations are usually harvested within a short period, raising concerns about their long-term sustainability and ecological benefits compared to natural forests. These fast-growing species of trees tend to dominate their locales, preventing ecological and biodiversity balance. Eucalyptus consumes 18-20 times more water than many other species and can negatively impact the water table. In areas with more limited rainfall, such as in northern Bangladesh and along the Barind Tract, this exacerbates environmental impacts.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh among global leaders in coastal afforestation: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in coastal afforestation, with 261,570 hectares of coastal areas now forested

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Bangladesh among global leaders in coastal afforestation: PM

File photo

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in coastal afforestation, with 261,570 hectares of coastal areas now forested.

"In the world, Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in coastal afforestation. As of now, the afforestation has been created in some 261,570 hectares in the coastal areas. We've created a green belt of 89,853 hectares since 2009," she said.

The prime minister made these remarks at the World Environment Day-2024 event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital.

She also inaugurated the Environment Fair-2024, the National Campaign for Tree Plantation, and the Tree Fair-2024.

This year's World Environment Day is themed 'Land Restoration, Stopping Desertification, and Building Drought Resilience,' with the slogan 'Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.'

The PM urged citizens to plant trees in all available spaces, including offices, mosques, and rooftops, to gain financial benefits, reduce temperatures, and protect the environment.

"I request everyone to plant trees wherever you can…. In offices, courts, mosques, and madrasas. You will get relief from the temperature and do rooftop gardening," she said.

She emphasised the importance of planting fruit-bearing, wood, and herbal trees.

"If you plant fruit-bearing trees, you will be able to eat fruits, and if you plant wood trees, you will get good money from the sale of wood," she added.

The prime minister inaugurated the Tree Plantation Campaign by planting two saplings – Palash and Bel (wood apple) trees – under the theme 'Decorate the country with trees, enrich Bangladesh' (Brikkha Diye Sajai Desh, Samriddhi Kori Bangladesh).​