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

[Saif]

Sea-level rise in Bangladesh: Faster than global average

Bangladesh is experiencing a faster sea-level rise than the global average of 3.42mm a year, which will impact food production and livelihoods even more than previously thought, government studies have found.

www.thedailystar.net

Sea-level rise in Bangladesh: Faster than global average
Government studies find

Bangladesh is experiencing a faster sea-level rise than the global average of 3.42mm a year, which will impact food production and livelihoods even more than previously thought, government studies have found.

Twelve coastal districts, where the impacts are expected to be severe, would be subjected to waterlogging, high salinity, crop damage, high temperatures, and excessive rainfall.

People will lose their homes, and poverty will increase, according to forecast studies, which were concluded recently but were yet to be made public.

The average annual sea-level rise for the Ganges tidal flood plain, the Meghna estuarine flood plain, and the Chittagong coastal plain is found to vary from 3.6mm to 4.5mm, 3.7mm to 4.1mm, and 3.1mm to 3.7mm between 1993 and 2019.

"Due to the present rates of local sea-level rise, more than 1 million people may be displaced," found the study titled "Estimation of Sea Level Rise (SLR) in Bangladesh using Satellite Altimetry Data" conducted by the Department of Environment.

Asked whether sedimentation was considered during the study, Prof AKM Saiful Islam, principal investigator of the study, said the study determined the trend of water level on Bangladesh's coast using satellite altimetry data.

He said they considered sedimentation and subsidence and still found the sea-level rise to be much faster than the global average.

He said the faster rate of rising sea-level on Bangladesh's coast will increase the vulnerability of coastal people and their livelihoods.

Salinity, coastal inundation, and storm surge height will increase. It could impact agriculture, food security, disaster management, health, drinking water supply, and coastal infrastructure.

The world's largest mangrove forest and its ecosystem will be affected by rising sea-level and salinity.

The DoE conducted a study on sea-level rise using tidal gauge data in 2016.

Project director of both studies, Mirza Shawkat Ali, director (climate change) at the DoE, said that experts had recommended validating the findings of the 2016 study using satellite altimetry data and assessing the impacts of sea-level rise.

The DoE then went for the study funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund and conducted by the Institute of Water and Flood Management of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Centre for Environmental and Geographical Services (CEGIS). Prof AKM Saiful Islam and Motaleb Hossain Sarker, director of CEGIS, led their teams in the study.

Researchers utilised data from satellite missions, like Nasa and the French aerospace agency's Topex/Poseidon, and its follow-up missions like Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3, which track sea levels from space.

Focusing on the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh, they employed Sen's slope (a non-parametric method used to estimate the magnitude and direction of trends in time series data) to discern overall trends in sea-level rise over time.

"There are a number of meticulously crafted maps that will serve as invaluable tools for policymakers, helping them identify priority areas for both short- and long-term adaptation strategies and risk management along Bangladesh's coastline," Mohan Kumar Das, one of the authors of the study, told The Daily Star yesterday.

IMPACT

The impacts of sea-level rise were also assessed through a study titled "Impacts of Projected Sea Level Rise on Water, Agriculture and Infrastructure Sectors of the Coastal Region".

The study projected the sea-level rise along the coastal belt of Bangladesh for 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2100 and assessed its impact on sectors.

It found that sea level rise induced flooding will cover 12.34 percent to 17.95 percent of areas of the coastal zone by 2100.

The inundation will affect Bagerhat, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Chandpur, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Gopalganj, Jashore, Jhalakathi, Khulna, Laxmipur, Narail, Noakhali, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Satkhira, and Shariatpur, the study found.

"In almost all future scenarios, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, and Barishal will be most inundated, as most of them are not polder-protected... These districts are affected by the sea-level rise as they do not have a comprehensive flood protection system. The areas flooded are mostly inner coastal areas that are not protected by polders. So, the flood protection for these areas should be considered as a priority."

Polders are areas of lowland that have been separated by dykes to prevent water covering an area.

The study found that salinity levels will rise further inland. "The higher the SLR, the higher the salinity ingress in the coastal areas. This will affect mostly the south-central region heavily and reduce these regions' agricultural productivity."

The study also found that sea-level rise induced flooding will cause a 5.8 to 9.1 percent loss in Aman crop production.

"Barishal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur districts are identified as the most vulnerable and affected areas where most damages occur. Some coastal regions had been saved from flooding by the existence of polders and embankments."

The study predicted that annual rainfall in coastal regions would be five percent to 16 percent higher between 2050 and 2080.

The temperature may increase by 1.4 degrees Celsius to 2.7 degrees Celsius in the 2080s.

The study suggested establishing automated tidal and surge gates to regularly monitor sea-level rise.

Noted climate expert Ainun Nishat said that the sea-level rise resulting from global warming due to the melting of snow in the various mountains and from Antarctica, Greenland, and Iceland will be a major concern for Bangladesh.

Nishat, who reviewed the study "Impacts of Projected Sea Level Rise on Water, Agriculture and Infrastructure Sectors of the Coastal Region", said that in 60-70 years, low-lying deltaic areas of the southwestern region would face high salinity levels and may face higher levels of storm surges.

The districts in the central part of the country, like Gopalganj, Madaripur, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Pirojpur, and Jhalakathi, would need special protection against sea-level rise and increasing salinity.

"Already the water of Madhumati in Gopalganj is saline during the dry season."​

 

[Saif]

Forests must not fall victim to business

Safeguarding nature should be our priority

www.thedailystar.net

Forests must not fall victim to business
Safeguarding nature should be our priority

VISUAL: STAR

Over the years, we have witnessed many forests falling victim to business and development—the one in Chattogram's Tulatoli area is just one of them. It started when 5,000 trees were felled in a five-acre area of the forest, and a ship-breaking yard took their place. But then, the Forest Department fought back leading to the yard being sealed off last year, with the lease agreement cancelled. Unfortunately, however, the department's efforts were then thwarted as the divisional commissioner overruled the order last month, allowing the yard to resume its activities, as per a recent report. This is most certainly a depressing turn of events.

What possible reason could there be for the divisional authority to support the destruction of nature? The lease agreement—signed in February 2022 between the district administration and yard owner Kohinoor Steel—was to use part of a 400-acre mangrove forest developed in 1983-1984 to protect the locality from natural disasters. It's ironic that the administration let the yard authorities cut down 5,000 of these life-saving trees—that too illegally, as they did not take Forest Department's permission. After the latest setback, the department is reportedly preparing to take the matter to court. But until a favourable decision comes, the forestland lies at the whim of businessmen.

A ship-breaking yard operating there will likely lead to severe environmental pollution, as toxic spills from ship-breaking operations are known to contaminate coastal ecosystems and devastate local communities. It is hard to comprehend why a country that pledged to stop deforestation by 2030 would let this happen. But it shouldn't be surprising, as we have seen nature being sacrificed like this countless times: plans to fell 2,044 trees in Jashore, building a safari park at Lathitila forest, efforts to take power lines through a reserved forest—the list goes on. These examples, all government undertakings, reduce its pledges to mere lip service.

If the government is really sincere about keeping its promise, it must put a stop to these incidents. The administration must remind the agencies and bodies working under it that safeguarding the environment, not business, is paramount. No entity, whether public or private, should skirt or break environmental laws, and commercial operations must be assessed and monitored for their environmental impacts. The ongoing heatwaves in the country are a reminder that without forests and trees, we are doomed.​

 

[Saif]

Don’t ruin country, yourself saving a little money of waste management: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasizes on the need for environment-friendly industrialization and waste management system to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change during her address at the 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises Fair.

en.prothomalo.com

Don't ruin country, yourself saving a little money of waste management: PM Hasina
BSSDhaka
Published: 19 May 2024, 20: 46

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the opening ceremony of the 7-day 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises Fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at Agargaon, Dhaka on 19 May, 2024BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday asked all concerned to build a waste management system while constructing industries for environment-friendly industrialisation to save the country and its people from the adverse impact of climate change.

"We have to construct industries. But all have to build an industrial waste management system. I request you all that don't ruin the country and yourself to save a little money for chemicals (to be used in the waste management system)," she said.

The prime minister made the appeal while opening the seven-day 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at Agargaon here this morning.


She said they want industrialisation to be environment friendly and for that, the country's industrialisation must have to be planned and worthy for health.

"Wherever you build industry, you have to keep in mind that the waste of your industries doesn't go to the rivers and water. Keep a special eye to ensure that the waste doesn't pollute the water and the soil," she added.

Sheikh Hasina called upon all to pay attention so that the country doesn't incur losses by adverse impact of climate change due to any negligence.

Apart from this, she asked the industrialists to ensure proper work environment and safety for workers alongside upgrading their livelihoods aimed at increasing industrial production.

The prime minister said they want mechanisation of the industries with world class machines.

But, she asked all to be cautious that mechanisation of industries doesn't decrease the number of labourers.

The prime minister asked all concerned to build labour intensive industries as they want to employ more workers.


She said Bangladesh is marching ahead so it requires more entrepreneurs.
"I call upon the youths not to run after the jobs (only). ---prepare yourselves as entrepreneurs and give jobs to others," she said.

Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned to make more opportunities for the womenfolk to make them entrepreneurs in large numbers.

She said the men can take initiatives bringing their wives and sisters in the SME business by enjoying opportunities of SME facilities that include taking loans at four per cent interest rate.

The prime minister expressed her satisfaction as 60 per cent of the SME entrepreneurs are women.

She said it has been possible as additional facilities are now being given to the women entrepreneurs.

The prime minister stressed the need for mechanisation of agriculture to increase food production for ensuring food security.

She also asked all concerned to produce small and medium machines for agriculture as it has local and foreign demand.

The prime minister instructed all to build locality-based agro-processed industries across the country keeping in mind which food grains are largely produced where.

She called for increasing production of exportable products alongside creating local markets for produced products.

She also instructed Bangladesh missions abroad to find out the most demandable products of the respective countries as Bangladesh can export those products there.

The prime minister said she has already asked Bangladesh missions abroad to work for economic diplomacy alongside the politics to increase export, business and trades.

She said her government has established rights on a vast maritime area which has huge resources.

The SME entrepreneurs can also invest in maritime resources to exploit its maximum benefits, she said.

The prime minister expressed her satisfaction over unveiling the work plan for 2024-28 by the Industries Ministry and said if all the ministries can do it; the country's development will be quickened.

After opening the SME fair, Sheikh Hasina said the fair will encourage others to be entrepreneurs.

She described the SME entrepreneurs as driving forces of the country's development, saying, "We want to create more SME entrepreneurs to foster the country's development".

The prime minister recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for taking measures for the first time for industrialisation in Bangladesh.

At the same function, she handed over the National SME Award-2023 to seven small, medium and start-up entrepreneurs that includes a crest and accreditation certificate.

Industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, its senior secretary Zakia Sultana, president of FBCCI Mahbubul Alam and SME Foundation Chairperson Dr Md Masudur Rahman spoke at the function.

The fair will continue till May 25 under the aegis of the SME Foundation as it will remain open for visitors from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.

More than 300 entrepreneurs are taking part in the fair as almost 60 per cent participants are women entrepreneurs.

The SME fair will showcase 100 per cent local products. More than 350 companies will participate in this year's fair.

This year's fair will see the largest number of 75 participants from the garment sector. Besides, 42 participants will showcase jute products, 38 will display handicrafts, 32 to showcase leather products and 27 to present processed agricultural products.

Moreover, 23 will display light engineering products, 14 to present food products, 13 to display IT-based services as 12 SME cluster entrepreneurs will take part in the fair from different parts of the country, 5 participants will showcase herbal industry products and 5 more will display jewellery products.

Four stalls will display plastic products, three to showcase electrical and electronics items, 3 to present furniture items and 19 others will display various government organisations products.

Besides, 30 banks, 15 public-private organisations, business clubs of 5 universities and about 50 other organisations will provide services to participants in the fair.​

 

[Saif]

Danger of faster sea level rise

American south is witnessing an alarming rise in sea level affecting coastal communities across eight US states, says a Washington Post analysis reported last month (April 29). The tide gauges of the water level monitoring stations at more than eight points from Texas to North Carolina found that s

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Danger of faster sea level rise
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
May 20, 2024 21:47
Updated :
May 20, 2024 21:47

Photo- UNDP

American south is witnessing an alarming rise in sea level affecting coastal communities across eight US states, says a Washington Post analysis reported last month (April 29). The tide gauges of the water level monitoring stations at more than eight points from Texas to North Carolina found that sea levels were 6 inches higher than they were about a decade and a half ago (in 2010, to be specific). And that was equivalent to the amount of sea level rise the area under study saw in the past five decades, the report further said. Scientists, according to the report, said that the Gulf of Mexico had experienced twice the global average rate of sea level rise since 2010 as revealed from the analysis of satellite data. Scientists are learnt to have been working to decipher what lay behind such accelerated rise of the sea level. But it is not the US south coast alone that has been witnessing the phenomenon of faster sea level rise.

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

 

[Saif]

Developed countries failed to fulfil commitments on climate change: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed frustration that the developed countries are not fulfilling their commitments on climate change issues

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Developed countries failed to fulfil commitments on climate change: PM

Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed frustration that the developed countries are not fulfilling their commitments on climate change issues.

The prime minister said this to visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a meeting at her official residence Gono Bhaban, according to PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam.

"She was a bit frustrated (due to the non-fulfillment of developed countries commitment on climate change issue)," Nazrul said.

The premier told the Australian minister that the Bangladesh government has formed the Climate Trust Fund with its own resources.

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

 

[Saif]

Half of mangrove ecosystems at risk

Half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse due to climate change, deforestation and pollution, according to a study published on Wednesday...

www.newagebd.net

Half of mangrove ecosystems at risk
Agence France-Presse . Geneva 22 May, 2024, 22:23
Half of the world's mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse due to climate change, deforestation and pollution, according to a study published on Wednesday.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, known for its red list of threatened species, has for the first time taken stock of the world's mangroves, evaluating 36 different regions.

IUCN director general Grethel Aguilar said the assessment 'highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation of mangroves — crucial habitats for millions in vulnerable communities worldwide'.

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow mainly in seawater or brackish water along coastlines and tidal rivers, in equatorial climes.

Released on the International Day for Biodiversity, IUCN said its findings show that '50 per cent of the mangrove ecosystems assessed are at risk of collapse' — categorised as either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

According to the assessment, 20 per cent were at severe risk of collapse.

Mangroves are threatened by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction.

However, the risk is increasing due to sea-level rise and the greater frequency of severe storms associated with climate change.

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

 

[Saif]

Sea level rising, coast under threat

Discover how rising sea levels in Bangladesh are threatening coastal areas, with studies showing 8-15% of land may go underwater and salinity levels could rise, impacting ecology and livelihoods.

en.prothomalo.com

Sea level rising, coast under threat
Partha Shankar SahaDhaka
Published: 24 May 2024, 17: 15

Average rise in sea levelProthom Alo illustration

The sea level along Bangladesh's coast is rising at a rate higher than normal. This has been revealed in three different studies. The studies say that the rate at which the sea level is rising, there are apprehensions that further areas will be inundated or face excess salinity.

Around 8 to 15 per cent of land area of 4 coastal districts may go under water. Salinity in the coastal areas may see an abnormal rise too. This could have a harmful effect on the ecology, people's lives, agriculture, groundwater and infrastructure in the coastal regions.

These three studies were recently conducted by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)'s Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) and the government's Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS). The results of these studies were published on 8 May.

These studies were carried out at the initiative of the Bangladesh Department of Environment, with funds from the Climate Change Trust Fund project.

BUET carried out the study, 'Estimation of Sea Level Rise in Bangladesh Using Satellite Altimetry Data'. For the first time here the sea level rise was observed by means of satellite. The remaining two studies were carried out by CEGIS to determine the sea level rise and its possible future impact on water and agricultural infrastructure.

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

 

[Saif]

Fewer but fiercer since the 90s

Though Bangladesh is experiencing fewer cyclones than in the 1960s, their intensity has increased, a recent study has found.

www.thedailystar.net

Fewer but fiercer since the 90s
Says DoE study

Though Bangladesh is experiencing fewer cyclones than in the 1960s, their intensity has increased, a recent study has found.

In the 1960s, the number of cyclones hitting the Bangladesh coast was 24, which came down to 13 in the 2010s, according to a study conducted by the Department of Environment with the help of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS).

The country did not experience any super cyclones -- a cyclonic storm which at least packs wind speed of 222kmph -- between 1960 and 1989. However, between 1990 and 2020, at least three of them hit the coast.

"We had a general conception that the number of cyclones has been increasing in the Bay due to climate change. But it is the harshness or intensity of the cyclones that is increasing, not the numbers," said BUET Professor Rezaur Rahman after reviewing the study titled "Projection of Sea Level Rise and Development of Digital Elevation Models in Support of SLR Decision Making".

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

 

[Saif]

Sundarbans cushions blow

Cyclone Remal battered the coastal region at wind speeds that might have reached 130kmph, and lost much of its strength while sweeping over the Sundarbans, Met officials said.

www.thedailystar.net

Sundarbans cushions blow
Remal makes landfall near Khepupara

Locals of Gabbunia village in Khulna's Koyra upazila were going home to collect necessary items before heading to shelters as Cyclone Remal was hurtling towards the southwestern coast yesterday. People in the coastal areas were asked to take precautions ahead of the storm's arrival. Photos: Habibur Rahman and Sohrab Hossain

Cyclone Remal battered the coastal region at wind speeds that might have reached 130kmph, and lost much of its strength while sweeping over the Sundarbans, Met officials said.

"As predicted, the centre of the severe cyclone fell between Khepupara in Patuakhali and Sagar Island in West Bengal," said Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist at Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

He said Bangladesh was on the east of the cyclone's eye which means Bangladesh took the main blow because the east side of a cyclone always causes more damage than the west side in the sub continent.

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

 

[Saif]

Cyclones now last longer

Remal was part of a new trend of cyclones that take their time before making landfall, are slow-moving, and cause significant downpours, flooding coastal areas and cities.

www.thedailystar.net

Cyclones now last longer
Experts say this causes more rain

Man Versus nature... Braving the ferocity of Cyclone Remal, social workers give it their all trying to protect an embankment on the Kapotakkho river in Khulna's Koyra upazila yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: HABIBUR RAHMAN

Remal was part of a new trend of cyclones that take their time before making landfall, are slow-moving, and cause significant downpours, flooding coastal areas and cities.

Even though Remal started battering the Bangladesh coast since Sunday afternoon, its effects on the country's weather will remain until at least this afternoon, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

This means the storm will be hovering over Bangladesh for at least 45 hours. Cyclone Aila in 2009 hung around for 34 hours before disappearing.

Meteorologists and experts said a trend is being seen in the cyclones that hit Bangladesh. They are sluggish, long-lasting and tend to inundate more areas.

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[Saif]

How the Sundarbans repeatedly saves Bangladesh from cyclones

 

[Saif]

40 Sundarbans animals found dead, 17 rescued hurt

The forest department officials on Tuesday said that so far they found 39 dead deer and a pig in the Sundarbans after the severe cyclone Remal that hit the...

www.newagebd.net

40 Sundarbans animals found dead, 17 rescued hurt
Rashad Ahamad 29 May, 2024, 00:23

A man holds an injured fawn at Katka sanctuary in Sundarbans on Tuesday as cyclone Remal takes a toll on the mangrove forest. | Focus Bangla photo

The forest department officials on Tuesday said that so far they found 39 dead deer and a pig in the Sundarbans after the severe cyclone Remal that hit the forest on Sunday.

Primarily they have estimated infrastructural damage of Tk 6.27 crore in the forest while the total damage, including animals and plants, could not be calculated yet.

Officials said that the cyclone with over 100-kilometre per hour speed hit the forest hard on Sunday after noon with 8-10 feet high tidal surge inundating all 80 freshwater ponds in the forest.

The tidal saline water drained out after 48-hours stay in the forest which the officials estimated the record longest stay of salt water in the mangrove forest in the recorded history of 17 years.

They feared a huge impact on animals this time after cyclone Sidr in 2007.

'We could not calculate total damage of the forest yet. Forest officials could not enter into the forest as the Bay of Bengal still very rough,' said Mihir Kumar Doe, Khulna circle conservator of forest.

They feared more losses of flora and fauna in the forest because of the unusual duration of flooding and crisis of freshwater.

Officials estimated that they would need at least four more days to assess the situation.

Officials feared that they were going to count the worst damage in the Sundarbans in terms of its wildlife.

Saltwater entered into the world's largest mangrove forest around 12:30pm on Sunday and drained out around 11:30am on Tuesday.

They said that usually saline water drained out from the forest within three-four hours in the past cyclones.

Wild animals turned vulnerable for the long-time stay of saline water at a high level in the forest, they said.

Sundarbans is the house of huge diversity that shelters 40 species of mammals, 260 species of birds and 35 species of reptiles. Royal Bengal Tiger is the signature animal of the rainforest.

Mihir Kumar Doe said that there are only eight shelters for animals in the forest which is very insufficient.

Mihir said that due to the tidal surge, all the 80 ponds which are the sources of freshwater for wild-animals in the forest were inundated.

'No freshwater source now exists from where animals can drink,' said Mihir.

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