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

[Saif]

Initiative taken to free ‘Patuakhali river’ from encroachment, pollution

The 12-kilometre-long Patuakhali River, with an average width of 250 metres and a spiral flow, has faced significant degradation due to encroachment and pollution over the years

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Initiative taken to free ‘Patuakhali river’ from encroachment, pollution

Photo: Sohrab Hossain/Star

The 12-kilometre-long Patuakhali River, with an average width of 250 metres and a spiral flow, has faced significant degradation due to encroachment and pollution over the years. Flowing east and north of Patuakhali town, this river has lost much of its existence as various structures have been built along its banks, and its waters have been contaminated by waste disposal.

It connects with the Lohalia river to the east and the Payra river to the west.

Encroachment is evident in several sections of the river, where structures have been erected.

Additionally, Patuakhali town's sewage system relies heavily on this river, with all the municipal drains flowing directly into it, resulting in the discharge of garbage at multiple points. The pollution is further compounded at the confluence with the Lohalia, where sand from annual dredging of the river port is dumped, causing a sand buildup at the river mouth.

This change in the river's course has led to erosion in the Lohalia area, destroying hundreds of homes and agricultural land.

In response to this situation, the District River Conservation Committee has initiated steps to free the Patuakhali river from encroachment and pollution.

On Tuesday afternoon, a meeting was held at the Patuakhali District Commissioner's office, chaired by Additional District Commissioner (Revenue), Md. Obaidur Rahman.

He said following the government's directive from the Ministry of Climate Change, Forests, and Environment, one river in each district will be restored by removing encroachments and pollution within the next two months.

The Patuakhali River has been selected as the priority for this district out of its 42 rivers. A detailed work plan, estimated budget, and list of necessary equipment will be finalised by October 20.

During the meeting, Patuakhali Municipality Administrator and Deputy Director of Local Government, Jewel Rana, expressed the municipality's commitment to preventing further pollution.

He said the narrow canals, drains, sluice gates, and culverts connected to the river, and assured that the local authorities would take positive steps to protect it.

The meeting was attended by district administration officials, journalists, and members of the River Protection Committee.​

 

[Saif]

Can seagrass safeguard coastlines?

IN THE age of escalating global warming, our coastal communities and ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Located along the fastest rising sea in the world, the Bay of Bengal, our coastlines are facing unprecedented challenges. Each year, we witness more frequent and intense tropical...

www.newagebd.net

Can seagrass safeguard coastlines?
Parvez Uddin Chowdhury 13 October, 2024, 00:00

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

IN THE age of escalating global warming, our coastal communities and ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Located along the fastest rising sea in the world, the Bay of Bengal, our coastlines are facing unprecedented challenges. Each year, we witness more frequent and intense tropical cyclones, accompanied by strong storm surges causing land degradation and high salinity and devastating millions of people in the low-lying coastal belt.

Ours is often listed among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Each year, flood, cyclones and heatwaves break previous records. This year has been one of the hardest. Climate change-induced disasters are severely affecting our economy, agriculture and infrastructure. The soaring climate toll gets too heavy on us, pushing our resilience to its limits.

After every cyclone and flood, despite our continued efforts to upgrade shorelines and embankments, we are often starkly reminded of how fragile our defences are in protecting coastal communities. The call for reducing disaster risks and building more resilient coastal communities is growing louder each year.

The cyclone Remal, which occurred in May, struck the southern coastal districts and also neighbouring India, leaving a trail of death and destruction. Reports indicate that it destroyed about 232.01 kilometers of coastal embankments and more than 413 kilometers were damaged.

With the sea level rising, the need for protecting our coastal communities and ecosystems from erosion and pollution has become increasingly urgent. Amidst these challenges, we have got a remarkable ally in our fight to reduce climate impact on our coastlines — seagrass, or saltmarsh, to be specific. This silent but powerful grass is a vibrant shield against encroaching sea and the hurtling tides.

What is seagrass or saltmarsh?

SEAGRASS is a kind of grass that grow in shallow coastal waters and in intertidal zone along the coast. To be specific, the ones that grow in the intertidal zone is called saltmarsh, a variety of seagrass. Unlike other grasses, this can survive in high saline marine environment. There are more than 60 species of seagrasses in the world. Some species grow in the intertidal zone and others grow submerged in shallow and sheltered coastal waters.

They form dense meadows in coastal waters and make the area compact. The sensitive grassland also plays strong roles in coastal environment by protecting shores and providing habitat for many marine lives.

Seagrass on Banskhali coast

AT THE Ratnapur point of the Banskhali coastal belt, vast expanses of grassland, spanning more than a few kilometers are teeming with the beach. This grass, locally known as ‘uri’, thrives and paints the landscape by reclaiming areas from sea. They become submerged at high tide. In each season, these meadows transform and widen, becoming more vibrant and greener.

Only five years ago, the area was barren, devastated by tidal surges that uprooted many trees. The rising sea claimed all the sandy hammocks along the shore where people used to cultivate watermelons, tomatoes and vegetables. Much of coastal fisheries were affected. But now this grass is gradually building up the area and reclaiming lost areas.

The difference between embankments with the grass beds and without grass beds is obvious along the Banskhali shore. Still, the parts with no such grass are severely affected. During high tide, seawater often hits embankments and get into locality.

Banskhali, an outlying coastal sub-district of Chittagong, has a 40-kilometre coastlines with the Bay of Bengal. Unlike other coastlines, Banskhali has a vast coastal area that goes under water at high tide and at low tide, water recedes far from the shore to a few kilometers down making a 3-4-kilometre intertidal zone along the beach. Other coastal areas in the country such as Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria, Maheskhali and Kutubdia, Anowara, Barishal, Patuakhali, Chandpur, etc have a comparatively smaller intertidal zone.

Although there are efforts from the forest department and local communities, the grass beds at Banskhali coast are growing unnoticed. There has been no report ever on it by any national newspaper. The reason it remains out of attention is, perhaps, the poor communication to the remote area.

At these times of unpredictable global warming and sea level rise, the way the meadows act as coastal protection is remarkable. The immense potential of this grass in safeguarding our coast and also providing a crucial habitat for local wildlife should be fully understood. The way it has been phenomenal, it deserves recognition and should be studied and applied to other places as a nature-based solution to our coastal erosion.

Climate change and biodiversity

According to a scientific report, seagrass meadows are among the earth’s most efficient and long-term carbon sinks. They absorb carbon from the atmosphere much faster than others. In our global race towards net zero, seagrasses and mangroves are the urgent new areas of conservation.

A study by Port of San Diego found in 2023 that they absorb up to 10 times more carbon than forests on land. They have an incredibly huge carbon absorption ability from the environment and, hence, considered a powerhouse in the climate change fight.

A few months ago, the Reuters news agency made a headline on a group of volunteers planting eelgrass seedlings, a variety of seagrass, on a popular beach in Yokohama, Japan. Japan has taken up this action in a bid to combat the climate change and to achieve Japan’s environmental goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Visit to Banskhali would show that the seagrass medowes are full of life, providing shelter and food for a diverse aquatic species on the shore including crabs, seahorses turtles and many other tiny invertebrates. The grasslands are ideal place for mangroves to grow up and that is also evident there. Mangroves are gradually growing up. With this grassland and mangroves, the area around it has been so rich in biodiversity that, if more efforts are put, it could be made into a special zone for marine and coastal biodiversity. It should be saved from tourism and increased human movement.

Nature-positive solutions

ACCORDING to ARUP, a global consultancy for sustainable development, nature-based solutions is an umbrella term for interventions that are designed with nature to restore ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss, manage water and tackle the negative effects of climate change on infrastructure and society.

Nature-based solutions focus on harnessing the power of the natural world to provide sustainable protection, to restore ecosystems and to enhance biodiversity and human well-being. As we confront the multifaceted challenges by climate change, the need for sustainable, zero-carbon solutions is growing and is increasingly seen as the only future. Globally, these solutions are prioritised. We have to look ahead and embrace nature-based strategies to combat climate impacts on our coastal belt. We have many times been headlined before and hailed as a global champion in climate change adaptation. Maybe this seagrass could be our next initiative.

While the grass and mangroves may not immediately replace traditional hard solutions such as concrete walls, embankments fortified with concrete blocks or geo bags, they certainly serve as excellent complements. These natural defences can help embankments withstand the growing threats of hydrometeorological hazards. Over time, they create such a robust natural protection that embankments may become unnecessary. Moreover, their remarkable ability to restore ecosystems and reverse biodiversity loss is unparalleled. Not to mention the incredible capacity, it has to absorb carbon from the environment.

We have a 654-kilometre vulnerable coastline, going around all islands and up the estuaries, it is estimated to be nearly 1,320 kilometres. Every year, we spend millions on coastal embankment upgrade in the view of rising sea level and increasingly intense tropical cyclones. Nevertheless, we see every year thousands are displaced from coastal areas due to various climate related hazards including sea level rise, erosion, breaking embankments, high salinity, etc. Many reports indicate by 2050, around a million people will be displaced from coastal districts.

We need innovative nature-friendly measures for resilient and healthier coastal environments accompanied by strong community engagements. Nature-based initiatives by the government for building coastal resilience will never succeed without strong community involvement.

People also take away concrete blocks from coastal dykes, clear mangroves from coastal areas and cut seagrass for cattle. But there are active efforts from educated community representatives behind this seagrass thriving along the Banskhali coast. So, it is clear that we need meaningful community participation to bring about changes through nature-based initiatives. And for that, we need an organised network of community-based volunteers to be engaged and campaign on such initiatives so that communities understand and come forward to be a part of it.

On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us commit ourselves to working together to mitigate the risk of disasters in our communities so that we can ensure a safe and sustainable future for our children.

Parvez Uddin Chowdhury is a development worker, climate enthusiast and writer.​

 

[Saif]

Save Hatirjheel from overdevelopment

Why continue an initiative that will worsen waterlogging?

www.thedailystar.net

Save Hatirjheel from overdevelopment
Why continue an initiative that will worsen waterlogging?

VISUAL: STAR

Waterlogging has been a perennial problem for Dhaka city, and we all know the reason behind it. Rampant encroachment of water bodies has resulted in water remaining stagnant in many areas as there is nowhere for it to go. Canals, ponds, and parts of rivers have been filled up to satisfy the greed of encroachers who often enjoyed political patronage. Hatirjheel is one of the latest casualties of this unplanned development that threatens to further worsen Dhaka's waterlogging problem.

According to a report, over the past 17 months, more than 10 acres of Hatirjheel Lake have been filled with sand as part of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway project. Authorities claim that the move was necessary to build 41 pillars for the project, despite warnings that it would severely disrupt the lake's natural water flow and reduce its capacity to retain excess rainwater. As a result, there would be increased waterlogging particularly in Dilu Road, Karwan Bazar, Banglamotor, Moghbazar and Tejgaon areas. Hatirjheel's biodiversity would also be affected, damaging habitats of aquatic life and destroying bird nesting areas.

This year's floods in various parts of the country proved to be more severe precisely because floodwaters stagnated for days on end as most water bodies have been filled up or blocked by unplanned infrastructure development.

It is unthinkable that despite such dire risks, the authorities would allow this move to continue. Reportedly, the approval for the filling initiative came directly from the former Prime Minister's Office. And despite this violating Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (2022) as well as the Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010, both Rajuk and the Department of Environment remained silent. Now that the former regime has been ousted, we expect things to be different. Given the current environment adviser's track record for fighting against encroachment of rivers and waterbodies, we hope this dangerous initiative would be scrapped soon.

While the elevated expressway has made life easier for many city dwellers in terms of mobility, it cannot be at the expense of the integrity of Hatirjheel or citizens' safety from environmental impacts. The government must stop the expansion immediately and develop a plan to undo the damage already caused and protect the lake in the future. This year's floods in various parts of the country proved to be more severe precisely because floodwaters stagnated for days on end as most water bodies have been filled up or blocked by unplanned infrastructure development. The interim government should identify all at-risk water bodies in Dhaka and other cities that have been filled up or encroached upon, and take urgent steps to free them.​

 

[Saif]

2024 Bangladesh Climate Action Forum: Building a climate-resilient future

The Bangladesh Climate Action Forum 2024 which recently concluded in Dhaka was a huge success and surpassed all expectations.

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2024 Bangladesh Climate Action Forum: Building a climate-resilient future

Photo: Reuters

The Bangladesh Climate Action Forum 2024 which recently concluded in Dhaka was a huge success and surpassed all expectations. Key to the event was the scale in terms of the number of delegates and the quality of the speakers; and the international element, with the event shining a light on Bangladesh and its efforts to take a leadership role on climate issues.

The event exemplifies the power of global collaboration in addressing pressing climate issues. Bringing together over 450 delegates from various sectors—government, industry, academia, and NGOs—this event fostered a platform for cross-sector dialogue. International stakeholders' participation highlighted the climate crisis's global nature, where local actions must align with global goals.

The forum enabled Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, to build relationships with global leaders and access international expertise, technologies, and resources. The event showed that climate action cannot be siloed, rather partnerships across national and sectoral boundaries are required to develop sustainable strategies tailored to Bangladesh's unique challenges.

At the forum, significant emphasis was placed on decarbonisation, particularly in renewable energy and industrial processes. The launch of the "Better Mills Initiative" and the OnetrueSOLar Fund reflects Bangladesh's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, especially in garment production, which is a major contributor to global emissions.

Presentations on solar rooftop system optimisation and thermal energy system optimisation showcased the potential of these technologies to revolutionise energy consumption in industrial settings. The push for energy usage reduction in manufacturing is vital not only for reducing emissions but also for positioning Bangladesh as a leader in sustainable production. By embracing these technologies, the country could attract more green investments and strengthen its global competitiveness in garment production since global fashion brands seek to green their supply chains.

Bangladesh also faces the dual challenge of increasing its energy supply while transitioning to renewable sources. With only two percent of its energy coming from renewables, the country is far behind global sustainability targets. Speakers at the forum, including government representatives and European Union delegates, stressed the critical need for Bangladesh to enhance its energy security in a way that is both sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change.

The European Union's pledge to mobilise up to 300 billion euros in investments by 2027 offers a lifeline for countries like Bangladesh to access much-needed resources for green energy projects. As Bangladesh continues to develop as a regional economic power, its ability to meet energy demands through renewable sources will not only mitigate environmental risks but also secure long-term economic growth.

One of the forum's central themes was rethinking climate action as a business strategy, rather than a regulatory obligation. Delegates were encouraged to see sustainability as an opportunity for growth. A key point made at the event was that "cheap labour is no longer a competitive advantage." Instead, meeting the sustainability targets set by international clients can differentiate Bangladeshi businesses in global markets. The apparel sector, a central plank of the nation's economy, is particularly poised to benefit from sustainable production practices.

As global brands increasingly demand eco-friendly products, businesses that invest in sustainability will likely gain a competitive edge. This shift in perspective is crucial for Bangladesh's long-term economic success, especially as the country strives to transition from being a low-cost manufacturing hub to a leader in sustainable innovation.

Sure, investing in climate action comes at a cost. There is no sugar-coating that, and how this cost is met is a question we should not shy away from. Regardless, there is a return on this cost—this investment—in the form of access to international markets. It's no different from the many other compliance costs supply chains need to cover such as social auditing, factory safety, and so on.

The forum's workshops, attended by over 300 engineers from the apparel manufacturing sector, played a pivotal role in empowering technical professionals to lead sustainability efforts within their organisations. Companies like Forbes Marshall and Jinko Solar provided hands-on insights into practical decarbonisation strategies.

Empowering engineers is vital because they are the ones who will implement the technologies and systems necessary to achieve sustainability goals. By focusing on skills development, Bangladesh is building a workforce capable of driving the transition to greener practices. This is particularly important for sectors like clothing, which is under increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact.

The broader significance of these workshops lies in their ability to equip engineers with the tools and knowledge to make immediate changes, ultimately contributing to the nation's long-term climate resilience and industrial sustainability.

In summary, Bangladesh Climate Action Forum 2024 showed that the Bangladeshi business community and our friends and partners in the international business community are now leading the way when it comes to climate planning. There is still much work to be done but the signs are evident: we are taking practical, thoughtful steps to plan for a climate-resilient future.

Mostafiz Uddin is the managing director of Denim Expert Limited. He is also the founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE).​

 

[Saif]

An environmentalist’s quest to grow a mini cloud forest

In Dhaka, it is rare to find a green escape that makes you forget the chaos of this bustling metropolitan city. Yet, thanks to the relentless dedication of MK Alam, a serene mini cloud forest thrives in the heart of Dhanmondi Lake -- offering a peaceful refuge for both residents, and numerous vi

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An environmentalist’s quest to grow a mini cloud forest

In Dhaka, it is rare to find a green escape that makes you forget the chaos of this bustling metropolitan city. Yet, thanks to the relentless dedication of MK Alam, a serene mini cloud forest thrives in the heart of Dhanmondi Lake -- offering a peaceful refuge for both residents, and numerous visiting birds.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of mini-cloud forests, it is a condensed version of the larger cloud forests, typically found in mountainous regions with consistent cloud cover. These ecosystems are known for their immense biodiversity and dense vegetation, which create a unique microclimate that is cooler and more humid than the surrounding areas.

A retired banker and philanthropist by nature, Alam took the initiative to establish this mini cloud forest many years ago.

Photo: Star

He explains, "Roughly in 1990, with my little knowledge and understanding, I dared to establish a mini cloud forest at Dhanmondi Lake. I started with planting trees here and there. But many people took this as a nuisance rather than supporting me. They said the trees would create a breeding ground for mosquitoes."

"However, I didn't pay heed and continued to do what I believed in — planting trees and caring for them."

In an urban setting like Dhaka, a mini cloud forest can serve as a vital ecological sanctuary that would support local wildlife, while also improving air quality and moderating city temperatures.

"Over the years, I've introduced a variety of plants, particularly medicinal ones like the Horitoki tree. The forest has also attracted rarely seen birds, such as the Indian Pond Heron, although their numbers have recently dwindled due to increased fishing activities in the lake," Alam notes.

Despite its beauty and ecological importance, the forest's journey is fraught with challenges. "Every year, especially in June, we plant numerous trees. Sadly, within a few months, they are often neglected," Alam shares, highlighting the dire need for continuous care and community engagement.

"It's overwhelming to face these challenges alone. I yearn for support, not necessarily from the government, but at least from local communities and organisations who share a similar vision," he urges.

We need to understand that urban green spaces like this forest are not just aesthetic enhancements, but functional necessities that contribute to the health and well-being of the population.

Drawing parallels with global standards, Alam points out, "Look at Singapore, a city-state that champions public health by integrating vast green spaces into its urban planning. They understand that investing in greenery is not just about beautification -- it's about the health of their people."

The path Alam has chosen is lonely and fraught with obstacles, but he is determined to take care of the trees for as long as he can. His environmental advocacy extends beyond the forest. In Satkhira, he established Fatic Khira S A Girls High School, providing free education and championing the inclusion of nature conservation in the curriculum.

"Our educational systems need to instil a sense of responsibility towards nature. We need to engage students and teachers alike in nurturing our environment as part of their learning," he insists.

As Alam contemplates his retirement, his commitment remains unwavering. "What is my retirement plan? To continue championing the environment. This work gives my life purpose and grounds my identity in the collective conscience of those around me, known and unknown," he said.

Ultimately, the mini cloud forest is not just Alam's legacy -- it is an invitation to every city dweller to reconsider their relationship with nature. It challenges Dhaka and cities worldwide to not only coexist with nature, but to embrace it as a fundamental aspect of urban life, ensuring that cities can breathe, flourish, and sustain themselves for generations to come.​