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

[Saif]

How carbon markets can drive Bangladesh’s green transition

Bangladesh’s readiness will dictate how it will fare in the new carbon market regime.

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How carbon markets can drive Bangladesh’s green transition

International carbon markets may incentivise the quick deployment of energy-efficient and non-fired brick technologies. FILE PHOTO: RAJIB RAIHAN

With the flow of international climate finance still slow, carbon markets, supported by results-based finance, will likely pave the way for developing and least developed countries to incentivise emission reductions. The approval of Article 6 at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, has finally laid the foundation for a global carbon market.

Article 6 defines two market-based approaches under Article 6.2 and Article 6.4. The former allows direct country-to-country carbon trading, known as the Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). ITMOs may contribute to a country's mitigation target under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), while the other country will receive revenue against the sold ITMOs.

Article 6.4, also known as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), is a centralised and stringent carbon market framework, which a supervisory body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will regulate. A host country may implement clean energy and environment-friendly projects, register these with the UNFCCC, and sell the verified emission reductions to another country seeking carbon credits to meet its mitigation target. Article 6.4 will allow both countries and companies to participate in trading.

This article will further assess the eligibility of the transition of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which has been the UNFCCC-administered carbon trading instrument between developing and developed countries since 2006.

As CDM is the largest project-based carbon crediting programme, different countries will now build on their experience with it to utilise it in carbon markets under Article 6. While some countries largely benefited from CDM projects, Bangladesh has enjoyed limited success. The country needs to prepare, drawing lessons from the CDM era, and undertake measures for readiness to develop suitable mitigation projects for swiftly tapping the opportunities of carbon markets.

Moreover, Bangladesh's apparel sector may buy carbon credits under Article 6.4 to meet its goal for emission reductions beyond what it can achieve by implementing measures locally.

Bangladesh's lacklustre performance in the CDM

As of December 2023, 99 host countries (least developed, developing, and small island countries) registered 7,841 CDM project activities. The UNFCCC issued 2,357 million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).

Notably, 10 of the 99 host countries registered more than 87 percent of CDM projects, while China and India combined registered 69.5 percent. However, China benefited the most as its projects generated more than 50 percent of the CERs issued by the UNFCCC. Projects in India, Brazil and the Republic of Korea, which delivered around 30 percent of the CERs, were behind China.

Sources: UNFCCC CDM Project Activities; IEEFA’s Analysis

On the contrary, Bangladesh could register 10 CDM projects, resulting in a paltry 1.26 million tonnes of CERs, representing only 0.53 percent of the total issuance till December 2023. While Bangladesh has also registered 11 CDM Programme of Activities (POAs), to date, only around half of them have generated CERs.

Such a lacklustre performance in registering the CDM projects can, at best, be described as a lack of capacity in, among other things, establishing the baseline emissions and writing the project design document (PDD), following the suitable methodologies approved by the UNFCCC. By the time a few people developed the capacity to establish baseline emissions, write PDDs and complete the project cycle until the issuance of CERs, the CDM market collapsed. Prices crashed to $0.65/CER in 2012 against a lucrative price of more than $30/CER in 2008, owing to unsold CERs due to oversupply and lack of demand. Prices stayed low for carbon credits and were less than avoided even for most of the period between 2021 and 2024. Buyers attribute this to a lack of high-quality carbon credit projects. Therefore, many potential local project developers lost their intrinsic motivation to pursue CDM projects.

Lessons from CDM projects

Bangladesh's readiness will dictate how it will fare in the new carbon market regime. The country should decide on, among other things, the potential role of Article 6. Building on its limited experience with CDM, the country should design targeted programmes to develop the capacity of professionals and organisations to implement high-quality greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation projects swiftly.

Furthermore, it should develop policy and regulatory processes to expedite the implementation of projects under Articles 6.2 and 6.4.

The Department of Environment (DoE), which is Bangladesh's designated national authority (DNA) to the UNFCCC, may help in designing and facilitating the country's readiness programme for carbon markets to develop the technical capacity of stakeholders in designing, implementing and monitoring projects. The DoE would also need to establish a national registry and accounting mechanism for the ITMOs to avoid double counting. Bangladesh should highlight its strong commitment to utilise carbon markets to stakeholders, including the private sector.

How Article 6 can benefit Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces challenges in expanding renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and mitigating pollution from sectors like brick and household cooking. Article 6-driven carbon markets present a significant opportunity for the country by creating an additional revenue stream for projects and increasing their commercial viability.

Potential projects for carbon markets

The brick kiln sector, one of the country's largest sources of GHG emissions, will emit 23.98 million tonnes of CO2 in 2030 under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. Transitioning to energy-efficient and non-fired brick technologies will drastically cut the sector's CO2 emissions and improve air quality in adjacent areas, but upscaling these expensive technologies will require incentives. International carbon markets may incentivise the quick deployment of these technologies.

The National Action Plan for Clean Cooking shows the country had 29 million biomass-based inefficient cookstoves during 2019-20. Improved cookstove projects can generate considerable carbon revenues.

Bangladesh may further capitalise on carbon markets to promote renewable energy technologies, including battery storage, both in utility-scale and rooftop segments, which under the BAU scenario shows a sluggish trend. Innovative solutions, such as replacing gas boilers with electric ones or heat pumps, can also deliver additional carbon revenue.

Among other things, municipal waste to energy and leakage reduction in the gas distribution systems will likely qualify for carbon revenue.

The apparel industry, which has committed to reducing 30 percent of its GHG emissions by 2030, may consider a combination of approaches—implementing projects locally for part of the mitigation and purchasing the remainder from high-quality projects implemented elsewhere under Article 6.4.

While carbon markets under Article 6 echo the promises that CDM initially showed, Bangladesh needs a clear-sighted approach to benefit from it. This approach should include designing and implementing a readiness programme for carbon markets to develop the capacity of key stakeholders and bridge the knowledge gap. The major stakeholders will then determine which projects to prioritise. However, unclear or poorly defined priorities may limit Bangladesh's success in the new carbon market regime.

Shafiqul Alam is lead energy analyst for Bangladesh at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).​

 

[Saif]

Climate change and fire risks: Lessons from Southern California for Bangladesh

The 2025 wildfires in Southern California underscored the importance of having well-trained firefighting teams and readily available resources for rapid response.

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Climate change and fire risks: Lessons from Southern California for Bangladesh

The alarming rise in global temperatures has been directly linked to a surge in the frequency and intensity of wildfires. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Addressing the intricate relationship between fire incidents and climate change is increasingly crucial, particularly in vulnerable regions like Bangladesh, which faces escalating threats from climate-related events. The alarming rise in global temperatures has been directly linked to a surge in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, illustrating a clear connection between climate instability and fire risks. For instance, the devastating wildfires that swept through Southern California in 2025 serve as a stark reminder of how prolonged drought, extreme heat, and strong winds can combine to create catastrophic fire conditions. These events not only result in the significant destruction of homes and ecosystems but also highlight the urgent need for countries like Bangladesh to understand and prepare for similar outcomes.

As climate change continues to unravel, the impacts become more pronounced, particularly through altered weather patterns that exacerbate fire risks. Rising temperatures lead to prolonged dry spells, which, in turn, dry out vegetation and increase flammability, creating an environment conducive to fire outbreaks. The 2025 Southern California wildfires exemplified how erratic precipitation, coupled with extreme heat, can generate conditions ripe for wildfires, resulting in extensive property and wildlife losses. These patterns are not unique to California; they are increasingly relevant to Bangladesh, where altered rainfall and rising temperatures threaten local ecosystems and agricultural productivity, both of which are vital for food security and economic stability. Other factors, such as rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices, could exacerbate this growing threat.

The catastrophic experiences from Southern California serve as a cautionary tale; communities that lacked preparedness faced devastating losses. Similarly, many rural communities in Bangladesh are ill-equipped to handle fire outbreaks, hindered by socio-economic vulnerabilities and limited resources. Effective fire management is further complicated by numerous challenges that Bangladesh faces, including limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. The absence of comprehensive fire management policies and trained personnel severely hampers timely responses to fire outbreaks. The 2025 wildfires in Southern California underscored the importance of having well-trained firefighting teams and readily available resources for rapid response. In contrast, Bangladesh suffers from a general lack of awareness regarding fire risks and prevention strategies, leaving communities vulnerable and emphasising an urgent need for education and capacity-building initiatives.

To enhance resilience against fire risks in the context of climate change, Bangladesh must adopt integrated disaster management strategies that encompass community engagement and education programmes aimed at raising awareness about fire prevention and response. The US has successfully implemented community-based programmes that encourage local residents to become active participants in fire prevention efforts; such initiatives could serve as valuable models for Bangladesh. Additionally, promoting sustainable land-use practices, such as agroforestry and controlled burning, can mitigate fire risks while simultaneously supporting local livelihoods. Governance plays a crucial role in addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and fire management in Bangladesh.

The wildfires in Southern California demonstrated the necessity of having clear policies and emergency response plans that can be activated during fire outbreaks. Bangladesh must strengthen its policies related to climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, ensuring these policies are comprehensive and responsive to local needs. Encouraging stakeholder participation at all levels of governance can lead to more effective fire management strategies. Moreover, international collaboration is pivotal in enhancing fire management strategies in Bangladesh. Engaging with global organisations and neighbouring countries can facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and best practices in fire prevention and response. Several developed global countries often collaborate with their international partners for wildfire management, sharing technology and strategies that have proven effective; Bangladesh could greatly benefit from similar partnerships. These collaborations would strengthen Bangladesh's capacity to manage fire incidents effectively and contribute to a more resilient future in the face of climate change.

The urgency of addressing fire risks in the context of climate change in Bangladesh cannot be overstated. As the climate continues to evolve, proactive measures must be prioritised to build resilience within vulnerable communities. The lessons learned from the 2025 Southern California wildfire season, particularly the importance of preparedness, community engagement, and sustainable practices, are critical for Bangladesh. By fostering a culture of preparedness and adaptation, the country can safeguard its environment, protect livelihoods, and enhance the well-being of its people amidst an increasingly uncertain climate landscape.

To reiterate, the interconnected challenges posed by climate change and rising fire risks present a complex dilemma for Bangladesh. The need for comprehensive and integrative strategies that encompass education, policy reform, community engagement, and international cooperation is paramount. As global temperatures continue to rise, and as we witness the consequences of extreme weather patterns, Bangladesh must take proactive steps to mitigate the potential fire risks by fostering resilience at all levels of society. The experiences from regions like Southern California provide valuable lessons that can aid in shaping effective fire management strategies tailored to the unique circumstances faced by Bangladesh. Through concerted efforts in education, policy enhancement, and collaborative initiatives, the country can better prepare for the challenges posed by climate change while protecting its vulnerable communities and natural resources.

Md Ayatullah Khan is doctoral researcher in Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.​

 

[Saif]

Govt initiates plan to manage dog population, protect biodiversity on St Martin’s

The government has initiated measures to manage the dog population on St Martin's Island to conserve its environment and biodiversity, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Govt initiates plan to manage dog population, protect biodiversity on St Martin’s

Photo: Tanvir Hossain Khan

The government has initiated measures to manage the dog population on St Martin's Island to conserve its environment and biodiversity, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said today.

Speaking as the chief guest at a session titled "Dog Population Census and KAP Survey to Conserve the Number of Olive Ridley Turtles and Ensure Biodiversity on St Martin's Island," held at the Forest Building in Agargaon, the adviser said that a master plan will be developed in collaboration with relevant government and non-government organisations.

Key speakers at the event included Amir Hossain Chowdhury, chief conservator of forests, and Md Abu Sufian, director of the Department of Livestock. Rubaiya Ahmad, founder of the animal welfare organisation Obhoyaronno, presented the keynote paper titled "Dogs of Saint Martin's Island - Their Present and Future."

In her presentation, Rubaiya outlined a phased Dog Population Management (DPM) programme set to begin in February 2025.

The first phase focuses on creating a policy framework to regulate feeding, restrict the entry of new pets, and ensure the sterilisation of household dogs.

Public awareness campaigns, particularly targeting children, will promote humane behaviour towards dogs.

Subsequent phases include spaying and neutering 50 percent of the dog population by May 2025, implementing a registered feeding programme during the monsoon, and achieving 90 percent sterilisation by November 2025.

By 2026, all female dogs on the island are expected to be spayed, with full sterilisation of the dog population anticipated by 2030.

These initiatives aim to balance biodiversity conservation with humane management of the dog population, ensuring the protection of Olive Ridley turtles and the unique ecosystem of St Martin's Island.​

 

[Saif]

33m schoolchildren affected last year by climate crisis: Unicef

Children in Bangladesh were among the worst affected, with around 33 million facing multiple rounds of school closures

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33m schoolchildren affected last year by climate crisis: Unicef

Photo: Unicef

Extreme weather events, fueled by climate change, disrupted the education of at least 247 million schoolchildren across 77 countries in 2024.

Children in Bangladesh were among the worst affected, with around 33 million facing multiple rounds of school closures.

This was revealed in a first of its kind Unicef report, released yesterday, titled "Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024". According to the report, South Asia was the most affected region.

In Bangladesh, schools were closed countrywide for around two weeks between April and May in 2024 due to nationwide heatwaves that left children at risk of dehydration and heat strokes. Subsequent disruptions happened in several districts later due to cyclone Remal, followed by intense flooding in June, which affected around 18.4 million people in the country, including 7 million children.

Sylhet was the worst-hit district, with more than 6,00,000 learners left without access to education for up to eight weeks, according to Unicef.

Khulna, Chattogram and Rangpur districts also suffered around six weeks of climate-induced school closures in 2024.

"The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is having a knock-on effect on children's education," said Rana Flowers, Unicef representative to Bangladesh.

"Extreme temperatures and other climate hazards don't only damage schools, they affect students' concentration, memory, and mental and physical health. Prolonged school closures increase the chance of children dropping out and being married off by families to cope with economic stress," he added.

Girl children are mostly impacted, with many of them married off instead of being supported to continue education. Bangladesh ranks among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest percentage of child marriage.

Children in Bangladesh are among the most exposed and vulnerable to climate and environmental hazards according to the Unicef Children's Climate Risk Index. These disasters often exacerbate the country's "learning poverty", where one in two children cannot read at their grade level and two-thirds are unable to do basic counting after completing primary education.

Moreover, some of the brightest children have to give up on their education due to the numerous climate induced disasters.

The report noted that schools and education systems in Bangladesh are largely ill-equipped to protect students from these impacts, while financial investments in education centring climate events remain alarmingly low.

Unicef called on international climate financing institutions and donors, the private sector and the interim government to engage in policy-making and planning in this regard, prioritising the needs of children.

Several recommendations were made including accelerating financing to improve climate resilience in the education sector, ensuring children are engaged in climate decision-making, ensuring proper national climate plans -- including Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 and the National Adaptation Plan -- strengthening child-critical social services like education to be more climate-smart and disaster-resilient.

"Children in Bangladesh are at the forefront of two interconnected crises -- climate change and deepening learning poverty that threatens their survival and future. As children continue to speak up and call for urgent action on the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, decision-makers must heed their calls and place their needs at the centre of climate policies and financing plans," said Flowers.​

 

[Saif]

Take urgent steps to reactivate the river commission

Why has it not been done over the past five months?

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Take urgent steps to reactivate the river commission
Why has it not been done over the past five months?

VISUAL: STAR

It is deeply concerning that the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), the so-called guardian of our rivers, remains virtually nonfunctional even though over five months have passed following the fall of the Awami League government. According to a report by Bonik Barta, the interim government revoked the appointment of its then chairman in early September. Since then, this position has remained vacant, as have other posts in the five-member commission (the tenure of the remaining members ended in August). Moreover, several key office posts including secretary and director also remain unfilled. With only a skeleton staff available to keep the lights on, the commission has virtually become a rudderless ship, totally incapable of fulfilling its mandate to prevent river encroachment and pollution.

This is particularly alarming given how—despite there being a non-political government in place and a well-known environmentalist at the helm of the environment ministry—degradation of rivers continues unchecked. The NRCC is supposed to play a leading role in this fight. Established in 2014 following a High Court ruling that granted rivers the status of "living entities," it is supposed to coordinate with all relevant institutions to guide state efforts against any encroachment or pollution, and bring those responsible to book. Unfortunately, even a fully-staffed NRCC could not live up to that expectation, due partly to its lack of power and independence and partly to the non-cooperation of other agencies.

Despite that, activists warn that the current leadership vacuum has left rivers further vulnerable, and it is already having dire consequences. Over the past five months or so, we have witnessed how new politically connected individuals came into the fray to exploit rivers for their own gain. The unchecked pollution of our waterways is another alarming issue, threatening aquatic ecosystems and public health. Despite these pressing concerns, no effective steps have yet been taken to restore the commission's functionality. We, therefore, urge the government to immediately appoint a competent leadership for the NRCC and ensure it has the authority, independence, and resources necessary to carry out its mandate.​

 

[Saif]

Elephant conservation: Govt allocates funds for response teams

The Elephant Response Team is a group of locals assigned by the forest department to mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region. There are 130 ERTs working under the forest department in the country at present

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Elephant conservation: Govt allocates funds for response teams

The pre-dawn silence in Hajigaon, a village situated on the green hills of Chattogram's Karnaphuli upazila, is often shattered by the distant rumble of a colossal presence.

It's the sound of elephants, the gentle giants venturing out of the dwindling forests, seeking food and space.

For 46-year-old Mohammed Hashem, this is a call to duty.

He starts his day by patrolling through the dense forests, trying to detect the subtle signs of elephant movements.

Hashem is a member of the Elephant Response Team (ERT), a group of locals assigned by the forest department to mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region.

There are 130 ERTs working under the forest department in the country at present.

Since 2018, Hashem and his fellows have been on the frontlines, working to safeguard both the elephants and the human communities that share their habitat.

The ERT's main task is to identify elephants before they encroach upon human settlements, gently guiding them back to their natural habitat.

Despite their efforts, Hashem, like his fellow ERT members, has never received any financial support from the government.

All they get is a uniform, pair of shoes and whistle.

"We are working to save elephants from poachers. We also protect residents and their wealth from elephant attacks," Hashem said.

"We face risks, from potential elephant attacks to the dangers of navigating the dense jungle," Hashem adds, "yet we received no financial support from the government," he says.

Without a formal framework or any form of supervision, the teams operated with limited accountability, sometimes leading to unforeseen incidents.

However, this may change soon. The government has recently allocated Tk 45 lakh for 50 ERTs at Anwara and Karnaphuli upazila of Chattogram.

"It will allow us to pay the ERT members, ensuring their commitment and enabling us to hold them accountable for their duties," said Abu Naser Md Yasin Newaz, divisional forest officer.

Imran Ahmed, conservator of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Region, said, "While the initial allocation may not be substantial, it symbolises a significant shift in government policy and paves the way for increased support in the future."

HUMAN-ELEPHANT COEXISTENCE UNDER THREAT

The country has 268 resident critically endangered Asian elephants. Most of them live in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, according to 2016 Forest Department data.

The destruction of habitats, corridors, and food sources is fueling elephant invasions and increasing human-wildlife conflict across the country.

Due to this conflict, 248 people died in elephant attacks between 2013-14 and 2022-23, while poachers killed at least 50 elephants in the last five years, according to the Forest Department.

Wildlife experts urged the government to develop a sustainable solution to reduce the conflict.

Mohammad Abdul Aziz, professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University and a member of the Elephant Specialist Group of South Asia, described the recent government allowance as a temporary solution.

He said elephants enter human settlements when they feel disturbed or experience a loss of food sources.

People then attempt to chase them away, which exacerbates the conflict.

"Therefore, we need to conserve elephant habitats, corridors, and their food sources for a sustainable solution," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Bishkhali River: Encroachment, legal dispute delay dredging

The Bangladesh Water Development Board launched the Tk 45 crore project in 2023 to dredge a 24-km stretch between Morrelganj and Kachua upazilas, aiming to resolve water shortages and boost agricultural productivity

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Bishkhali River: Encroachment, legal dispute delay dredging

Photo: Star

Around 25 percent of the dredging work on the Bishkhali River in Bagerhat remains incomplete, despite the project deadline expiring last month, due to illegal encroachments and property disputes.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board launched the Tk 45 crore project in 2023 to dredge a 24-km stretch between Morrelganj and Kachua upazilas, aiming to resolve water shortages and boost agricultural productivity. The project was initially set to be completed by December 2024. However, with approximately 3km still undredged, the deadline has been extended to December 2025.

BWDB officials attributed the delays to illegal structures built on river land and legal disputes in areas such as Ramchandrapur and Sagorkathi.

In Sagorkathi, Abul Bashar claimed ownership of land occupied by a house, cemetery, and mosque. "We are the rightful owners as per SA and BS records. Without compensation or rehabilitation, we cannot allow dredging on our purchased land. We have already filed a court case," he said.

In Ramchandrapur, Marjina Begum said her family had purchased two kathas of land to build a house, unaware it would be reclaimed for river excavation. "We never knew the government would claim this property. Now we are left with nothing," she said.

Abu Raihan Mohammad Al Biruni, BWDB's executive engineer in Bagerhat, said that dredging is proceeding based on the river's CS records.

"Notices and public announcements were issued to illegal occupiers. Legal action will be taken if they do not remove the structures," he said. The BWDB has yet to receive court notice on Bashar's case, he added.

Once a vital waterway, the Bishkhali has suffered heavy siltation from years of neglect, causing severe irrigation water shortages.

Shankar Kumar Majumdar, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bagerhat, said that Aman paddy is currently cultivated on 26,000 hectares in Morrelganj, Kachua, and Sharankhola upazilas, but only 9,000 hectares are used for Boro cultivation due to water scarcity.

"If dredging is completed, around 20,000 hectares of cropland can be cultivated during the Rabi season," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Crocodile fitted with satellite transmitter released in the Sundarbans

The seven-foot-long, 12-year-old crocodile was released in the wild in the presence of officials from the Forest Department.

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Crocodile fitted with satellite transmitter released in the Sundarbans

Photo: Collected

A crocodile fitted with a satellite transmitter was released into the Charaputia canal of the Sundarbans East Forest Division yesterday afternoon.

The seven-foot-long, 12-year-old crocodile was released in the wild in the presence of officials from the Forest Department.

and Sarwar Alam Dipu, manager and project coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), along with other staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre, said, "Through this research, we aim to gather data on the movement patterns, behaviour, and dietary habits of crocodiles. The population of crocodiles in the Sundarbans is steadily declining, and their reproductive capacity is also diminishing.

"This study is expected to contribute significantly to understanding their habits and improving their reproduction rates, ultimately aiding in the conservation of crocodiles in the Sundarbans."

This initiative is part of an ongoing research programme.

Earlier, between March 13 and 16, 2024, four saltwater crocodiles were fitted with satellite transmitters and released at four different locations within the Sundarbans.​

 

[Saif]

DRIVE AT POLYTHENE FACTORY: DoE director hurt in attack

A director of the Department of Environment was injured in an attack by workers during a drive at a Polythene factory at Islambagh in the capital’s Chawkbazar area Sunday afternoon.

www.newagebd.net

DRIVE AT POLYTHENE FACTORY: DoE director hurt in attack
Staff Correspondent 27 January, 2025, 00:06

A director of the Department of Environment was injured in an attack by workers during a drive at a Polythene factory at Islambagh in the capital’s Chawkbazar area Sunday afternoon.

The victim, Md Sawqat Ali, 42, is a deputy secretary and the DoE director for enforcement and monitoring.

He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at about 2:45pm, said DMCH police outpost in-charge Md Faruk.

‘His different parts of the face and nose were affected in the attack. The official left the hospital after taking treatment in the ENT department,’ said Faruk.

Chawkbazar police station officer-in-charge Rezaul Karim said that the incident took place at about 12:30pm.

‘Members of the police and the Rapid Action Battalion were assisting the DoE during the drive. Filing a case in this connection is underway,’ he said.

DoE executive magistrate Rubina Ferdousi who led the drive told reporters at DMCH that they seized goods and sealed off the factory.

‘The factory workers attacked us when we came out of the factory and an official was injured in the attack,’ Rubina said.​

 

[Saif]

The nexus of unplanned urbanization and pollution

Dhaka, the bustling center of Bangladesh, faces severe challenges due to rapid growth. The morning sun struggles to pierce through thick smog, as unregulated development pollutes the air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) often ranks among the worst worldwide, with residents exposed to harmful dust and e

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

The nexus of unplanned urbanization and pollution
Md Abdul Latif and Sabila Binta Saif Sondhi
Published :
Jan 27, 2025 21:44
Updated :
Jan 27, 2025 21:44

Dhaka, the bustling center of Bangladesh, faces severe challenges due to rapid growth. The morning sun struggles to pierce through thick smog, as unregulated development pollutes the air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) often ranks among the worst worldwide, with residents exposed to harmful dust and emissions. On January 4, 2025, reports indicated Dhaka's AQI reached 493, far beyond the hazardous level of 301, highlighting an urgent environmental crisis. Despite its rise as a megacity, pollution remains a critical issue. Rapid urbanization has led to economic growth but has also caused significant environmental harm. Once-promising streets are now overwhelmed by traffic and waste, indicating a city at a crucial juncture. This underscores failures in urban planning and governance. This op-ed examines the link between Dhaka's growth and its environmental issues, calling for a reevaluation of urban strategies to safeguard residents' health and future.

The rapid growth of Dhaka mirrors its economic aspirations. With over 22 million residents, Bangladesh's capital has experienced remarkable urbanization. As of 2023, the urbanization rate of the country has been reported as 40.47 per cent of which, majority of the population resides in Dhaka city. Research mentioned that averaging an annual growth rate, the capital city grew by 8 per cent from 1991 to 2019. During this time, the outskirts expanded by 43 per cent, with built-up areas increasing by 234 km², while the city itself grew by about 116 km². Migration drives this urban expansion, as people from rural areas flock to the city for jobs, education, and better living standards. Dhaka serves as the epicenter for economic, educational, healthcare, and urban services in Bangladesh, housing numerous tertiary institutions and a thriving garment industry among the largest globally. The promise of employment in factories, service sectors, and informal economies draws millions of rural migrants seeking improved livelihoods.

Dhaka's rapid urbanization has been alarmingly swift, yet it lacks effective urban planning, comprehensive strategies, and proper infrastructure development. The city's growth has been largely reactive, resulting in chaotic expansion with minimal public input and disregard for long-term sustainability and the diverse needs of its population. This has led to numerous informal settlements where millions lack secure tenure and basic services. The absence of clear zoning regulations has caused overlapping residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

Dhaka has undergone rapid and unplanned growth, leading to chaotic spatial expansion and significant socio-spatial divisions. This unregulated development has resulted in high-density urban living, straining housing and urban services. Low-lying areas designated for flood retention have been filled by land developers, increasing the city's vulnerability to flooding. The consequences of unplanned urbanization have culminated in a severe pollution crisis, threatening the health and well-being of residents and undermining environmental sustainability.

The construction sector is the primary contributor to Dhaka's pollution, accounting for 30 of the total. During winter, construction activities intensify, exacerbating air quality deterioration and raising the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. Poor regulation allows construction sites to release significant dust, while outdated brick kilns emit harmful particulate matter.

The industrial sector is another major contributor to air pollution in Dhaka, responsible for 29 per cent of emissions. As the city experiences economic growth, its burgeoning industries, particularly brick kilns, produce billions of bricks annually to meet rising demand.

The surge in population has also led to a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles, resulting in higher CO2 emissions and deteriorating air quality. From diesel-spewing buses to gas-guzzling private cars, the exhaust from these vehicles releases harmful substances like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) into the atmosphere. The vehicular sector contributes 15 per cent to the city's air pollution. In many areas being rapidly urbanized areas, underdeveloped or nonexistent public transportation systems force residents to rely on personal vehicles, further exacerbating emissions. The lack of efficient public transport options discourages walking or cycling, compounding the pollution issue.

The consequences of poor urban planning are evident in the severe traffic congestion that plagues the city. Vehicles often sit idle for extended periods, increasing emissions and prolonging travel times. This not only diminishes productivity but also intensifies the overall pollution problem, creating a cycle that jeopardizes the quality of life for Dhaka's inhabitants.

Unplanned growth has led to the over-exploitation of groundwater resources, resulting in a significant decline in piezometric levels and threatening the sustainability of water resources in the city. Additionally, unprecedented expansion frequently overwhelms existing waste management systems. Inadequate infrastructure for waste collection, treatment and disposal leads to littering and illegal dumping, contributing to land and water pollution. Decomposing waste emits harmful gases, such as methane, further impacting air quality.

Air pollution in Dhaka is not merely an environmental issue; it is a public health catastrophe. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) alone is responsible for thousands of premature deaths annually in Bangladesh. The World Bank estimates that air pollution cost Bangladesh nearly 3.9-4.4 per cent of its GDP in the year 2019, with Dhaka bearing a significant share of this loss. Unplanned urbanization has resulted in environmental conditions that pose serious health risks, such as air pollution, poor water and sanitation, and overcrowding. These issues lead to respiratory diseases and waterborne illnesses, increasing health risks for residents and burdening healthcare systems, which diminishes overall quality of life. Additionally, factors like poverty and limited access to healthcare worsen this decline. Socioeconomic determinants, including income inequality and insufficient healthcare resources, further amplify the health risks faced by urban populations.

The nexus of unplanned urbanization and pollution in Dhaka demonstrates how short-term gains create long-term challenges. The cycle of pollution is exacerbated by traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and poor waste management. To resolve these issues, comprehensive planning is essential. Dhaka requires policies that prioritize decentralization over mere growth. A cohesive national and local policy, supported by an active city government, is crucial for addressing the city's multifaceted crisis. Effective strategies should improve urban planning, infrastructure, and governance to mitigate health risks associated with pollution and urbanization. Furthermore, addressing socioeconomic disparities and ensuring equitable healthcare access are critical. Urban planning should embrace diversity and inclusivity to create cohesive, affordable neighborhoods.

In summary, a comprehensive and inclusive approach to urban planning is vital for transforming Dhaka into a resilient city that prioritizes the health and well-being of its citizens while tackling the challenges of rapid urbanization and pollution.

Dr. Md. Abdul Latif, additional director of Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM) and Ms. Sabila Binta Saif Sondhi is research associate at BIGM​

 

[Saif]

Rethinking anti-polythene drive

A director of the Department of Environment (DoE) was reportedly seriously injured in an attack allegedly by the workers from an illegal polythene factory in the Chowkbazar area of Old Dhaka on Sunday (January 26). The said DoE official along with others was returning after carrying out a raid, rep

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Rethinking anti-polythene drive
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jan 27, 2025 21:18
Updated :
Jan 27, 2025 21:21

A director of the Department of Environment (DoE) was reportedly seriously injured in an attack allegedly by the workers from an illegal polythene factory in the Chowkbazar area of Old Dhaka on Sunday (January 26). The said DoE official along with others was returning after carrying out a raid, reportedly, led by a deputy secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on the polythene factory in question. The first question that comes to mind is what the police force accompanying the MoEFCC's enforcement team was doing when the violence took place so that the attackers could get away with looting, as reported, a truck laden with confiscated materials from the polythene factory that was sealed by law enforcers? Obviously, the attack was reprehensible and against the law since the DoE officials were carrying out a government order as part of the nationwide campaign against production, marketing and use of polythene that started on November 3 last year. Notably, the ban on the use, production, marketing and transportation of polythene bags was first imposed in 2002 in exercise of the Environmental Conservation Act, 1995. And there are provisions of stringent penal measures including prison term and fine for production and marketing of polythene. Sadly, the ban soon lost its efficacy and within just four years, the use of polythene again started in 2006. It hardly needs explaining that just enunciation of a law is not enough for its implementation however harsh it may be in its wording. Two issues have dogged the law against polythene from the outset. And those have to do with the economy of polythene and the lack of alternative products to replace polythene such as in the form of bags and various packaging materials. The economy of polythene is huge as according to the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers Association, there are 6,000 industrial units in this sector that employ some 500,000 workers. For encouraging the use of jute bags and other jute products as an alternative to polythene, a law was enacted in 2010. But the production of bags and other packaging materials with jute was neither adequate to meet the demand, nor was it cost-effective.

The cabinet division, for instance, on September 5 last year, instructed all government offices to stop the use of single-use plastics and introduce environment-friendly alternatives instead. Later, from October 1 last year, the government banned the use of polythene and polypropylene shopping bags in all superstores. The government order did indeed stimulate production of eco-friendly bags from jute and other biodegradable materials by some small-scale business units. But they could not produce enough bags to meet the demand of the superstores. Worse yet, those business units are facing shortage of fabrics to make bags and at the same time, the prices of jute and cotton fabrics have shot up suddenly. As a result, the production costs of these biodegradable cotton bags increased rendering them less cost-effective. In that case, what alternatives are there before the major consumers of bags and packaging materials to replace plastics such as polythene? The manufacturers of the banned polythene bags, on their part, also use a similar logic to justify themselves saying that since there is demand for single-use poly bags, they are meeting the market demand knowing full well that they are violating law.

So, one should not be surprised by the fact that a large number of unlicensed small-scale factories are producing polythene and other plastic items in the Chowkbazar, Debidas lane of Old Dhaka, Churihatta, Lalbagh and Kamrangir Char areas of the city. Even the DoE knows it, said a report.

Do not these facts militate against the success of the anti-polythene drive that began more than two decades ago?

In that case, should one be surprised by Sunday's attack on an enforcement team of DoE?​

 

[Saif]

Sundarbans, the protector, threatened by poison

Adding to this is the exploitation by unscrupulous individuals. Today, the Sundarbans itself is in danger due to these combined threats

en.prothomalo.com

Sundarbans, the protector, threatened by poison
Today, the Sundarbans itself is in danger due to these combined threats. Read the Prothom Alo investigation report
Emtiaz Uddin
Koyra, Khulna
Published: 28 Jan 2025, 19: 41

Unscrupulous fishermen are setting up small net traps across the creeks from one end to the other in the Sundarbans. As the tide recedes during low tide, they pour pesticides into the creeks, killing the fish. This is happening in a wildlife sanctuary in the western part of the Sundarbans. Prothom Alo

The Sundarbans is facing severe cyclones one after another caused by climate change. However, it is not just storms and tidal surges causing harm. Rising salinity and temperature, along with new diseases and pests, are damaging the country’s greatest protector. Adding to this is the exploitation by unscrupulous individuals. Today, the Sundarbans itself is in danger due to these combined threats.

According to an investigation by Prothom Alo, the greatest danger in the Sundarbans at the moment is the competition among fishermen to catch fish using poison. At least three powerful quarters are behind this illegal activity. One group includes fish traders, known as "company mahajans," who control certain fishermen and encourage them to use poison to quickly catch large quantities of fish. Another group is comprised of corrupt forest guards who take bribes from these traders, allowing them to poison the rivers and canals in wildlife sanctuaries. Recently, forest pirates have also joined in, working with these groups. Some journalists are reportedly assisting them.

The officer-in-charge of the Hadda patrol station in the Sundarbans, Sabit Mahmud, said, "When he meets fishermen in the forest, many of them refer to their "mahajan", a journalist. I recently heard about a journalist from the Koyra upazila, who became a millionaire by being involved in the illegal business of catching fish fry in the Sundarbans."

A forest officer said that many people identifying themselves as journalists take allowances from forest stations every month. This practice has been going on for years.

In 2018, many forest pirates who had surrendered became inactive, but with the support of dishonest fish traders, they have now returned to the Sundarbans. These pirates offer protection to the fishermen working for the company mahajans, while robbing others. This has led to a significant increase in poisoning and fishing activities in the Sundarbans.

Govinda Mandal, a fisherman from the northern Bedkashi area of Koyra, has been fishing in the Sundarbans' rivers and canals for the past 55 years. He told Prothom Alo, "There was no tradition to use poison for fishing in the past. There were plenty of fish at that time. But for the past five to six years, poison has been entering the forest, and now, there are fewer fish, and even the birds are not available."

A bottle of pesticide is lying on the banks of the canal. Recently, this was seen in the Petkatar canal area near the Koyra River in the Sundarbans. Prothom Alo

Sundarbans turns blue in poison

In favour of a private organisation, Md Shah Paran works on a project related to the “Assessment of the Aquatic Resources of the Sundarbans”

He told Prothom Alo, “For eight months, I’ve been visiting the fish markets near the Sundarbans in Koyra every day, counting the fish species. However, most of the fish brought to the market are caught using poison. The smell of poison is especially strong in shrimp. Locals don’t eat the fish from the Sundarbans. The poisonous fish are all transported by truck to Dhaka and other districts of the country.”

The Forest Conservator of the Khulna region, Mihir Kumar Doe said, “At various times, we have seized bottles of poison or poisoned fish from dishonest fishermen in the Sundarbans. We’ve found that most of the poison is used to kill pests on vegetables and plants. Fishermen use two types of poison: one for white fish and another for shrimp. Some poisons, when mixed with water, create an oxygen deficiency, causing the fish to weaken and die. If birds eat the dead fish or crabs, they can also die. Consuming such fish would certainly harm the human body.”

Shrimp caught with poison are turned into dried fish at this factory. They are then sent to Dhaka and other parts of the country. Recently, this was seen in the village of Deyara, near the Sundarbans in Koyra, Khulna. Prothom Alo

Following the Forest Conservator’s remarks, several pesticide-selling shops in the Koyra area near the Sundarbans were visited. A variety of pesticides were being sold in large quantities. Some people, who don’t even own a piece of land for cultivation, were seen buying pesticides. One seller revealed that fishermen from the Sundarbans often buy pesticides like Diamgro, Fighter, Ripcord, and Pesicol, claiming they use them on plants or vegetables. Discussions with local sources revealed that poisons containing chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin kill both white fish and shrimp. On the other hand, poison containing only cypermethrin kills only shrimp.

Prothom Alo spoke with several individuals who had served jail term for fishing with poison. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one fisherman at the South Bedkashi area of Koyra, said, “I started using poison to catch a lot of fish in a short period a few years ago. When the tidal waters fill the canals in the forest, we set traps at both ends with small nets. Then, when the tide recedes, we pour pesticides like Nitro and Ripcord into the traps. The fish surface within a few minutes.”

The fishermen also mentioned that, at times, it becomes difficult to bring poisoned shrimp to the local markets. In such cases, they dry the shrimp in the forest itself. They cut trees deep inside the forest to make temporary platforms, where they set fire to pieces of wood underneath and dry the shrimp. The dried shrimp are then tactfully sent to Mongla.

Gaurang Nandi, Chairman of the Center for Environment and Participatory Research (CEPR), said that the use of poison in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans is causing significant damage not only to aquatic life but also to the mangrove forest.

He said, “The types of poison fishermen spray in the Sundarbans are mainly used for pest control on fruits and crops. This toxic water is absorbed by the trees through their roots, leading to harmful effects on them. Consuming these poisoned fish is also causing long-term health issues in humans, including cancer.” He stressed the need for specific research on the matter.

Collusion between companies and forest officials

Md Jahangir Sardar, a resident of Koyra village near the Sundarbans, is one of the fishermen who secretly enter the sanctuary by bribing forest officials under the guise of having legal permission. He told Prothom Alo, “I’ve been fishing in the forest since childhood. But the bribe required by the Forest Department keeps increasing. A few years ago, they used to take Tk 1,000 for every seven days, but now it’s Tk 5,000 per boat. Through middlemen, we pay bribes to forest rangers to enter the protected areas and catch fish to cover the cost.”

The Sundarbans, covering an area of 6,017 square kilometers in Bangladesh, has nearly 3,200 square kilometers designated as a sanctuary.

Forest Conservator at the Khulna region, Mihir Kumar Doe said that more than half of the Sundarbans' sanctuary areas are completely off-limits to fishermen.

However, local fishermen, honey collectors, and community leaders revealed that illegal fishing with poison occurs throughout the year across the forest, especially in the sanctuary areas where more fish are found. The fishing spots are controlled by the company middlemen.

There are allegations that if any fisherman attempts to fish in the sanctuary areas without being part of this syndicate, forest department officials will have them arrested. To fish with poison without interference, a fisherman must be listed with a company middleman. This has become an unwritten rule in the areas surrounding the Sundarbans.

Local fishermen from Koyra, Paikgachha, and Dakop upazilas said that about 25 to 30 businessmen secretly collaborate with forest officials to catch fish and crabs year-round. Some of the well-known company middlemen include Zulfiqar Ali, Lutfor Rahman, Rezaul Karim, Saheb Ali, Amirul Islam, Nur Hossain, Habibullah, Abu Musa, Majed, Kamrul, Mintu, Halim, Rajab Ali, Bashar, Masum, Mofizul, Mozafar, Abdul Khalek, Zahir Member, Ashraful Islam, Shahazul, and Riyasad Ali.

Abu Musa, a company middleman, acknowledged his involvement in sending fishermen to the sanctuary to carry on the illegal trade. However, he suggested that to stop the use of poison in the forest, the sanctuary areas should be divided among the middlemen. He explained that one middleman’s area should not allow others to enter. Forest officials transfer responsibility from one person to another as soon as they receive a larger bribe. After catching fish for one cycle, since there is uncertainty about being able to fish again, the middlemen give the fishermen poison to use.

When asked about which companies’ middlemen fish in the restricted areas of the Sundarbans, Abu Musa said, “The largest middlemen in the Sundarbans are Zahir Member and Babul from the Dakop area. They control 200 to 250 boats in the sanctuary. Zahir pays Tk 13,000 per boat to the forest officials to catch fish and crabs in the restricted areas like Neelkamal, Patkosta, and Bhomorkhali. My boats, which number 8-10, operate in Bhomorkhali, and we pay Tk 10,000 per boat to the forest officials. Other middlemen like Kamrul, Mozaffar, Jamal Mondol, Tutul, and Mustafiz are also involved.”

Abu Musa added, “The wealthiest businessman in Koyra is Riyasad Ali, who has the best connections with the forest officials. Without him, it’s impossible to enter the restricted areas with boats.”

When the names of these businessmen were mentioned, a responsible forest official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo, “We know all these businessmen. However, it is difficult to catch them red-handed inside the Sundarbans. We also face staff shortages and many limitations.”

Smell of poison in the fish market

June, July, and August are the breeding seasons for wildlife and fish in the Sundarbans. During this period, the forest department imposes restrictions on fishing in the rivers and canals of the forest, as well as on tourists entering the forest. However, this year, during the closed season, illegal activities such as poisoning fish and hunting deer in the Sundarbans have significantly increased compared to other times, according to residents living near the Sundarbans.

An investigation into this began on 12 July last year. At that time, entry for fishermen in the Sundarbans was strictly prohibited. But on that very day, it was heard in the village of Gariyabari in Koyra that a local man named Bhobachandra Das had been taken away by a tiger in the forest. On 20 July, Bhobachandra’s nephew, Tapas Das, reported that 11 other people were hunting crabs deep in the forest area of Bhomorkhali with his uncle.

The Bhomorkhali area falls under the jurisdiction of the forest department's Nalian Forest Station. When the forest officer, Tanzilur Rahman, was contacted about the issue, he promised to conduct a swift raid in the area. However, shortly after, an unknown person called and warned, “You asked the forest officer to raid Bhomorkhali. This is not a good development.” It became clear that illegal activities were happening with the cooperation of the forest officers.

The businessmen mentioned, we know all of them. But it is difficult to catch them red-handed inside the Sundarbans. Besides, we face a shortage of manpower and many other limitations.

A responsible forest officer on condition of anonymity

Regarding entry into the forest during the closed season, fisherman Akbarul Islam from Koyra said, “If the forest department doesn't want it, the fishermen wouldn't even be able to touch the water of a canal in the Sundarbans. I had to bribe a forest officer just to collect honey."

In the morning on 13 July, a visit to the fish market in Doulia Bazar of Koyra confirmed Akbarul’s statement. The market had not opened yet, but fish from nearby enclosures had already arrived, along with crabs from the Sundarbans. Within half an hour, the market became filled with fish and people. Shrimp, betki, jaba, sillet, payra, datina, and many other types of fish were arriving. Several fish traders, sitting in a tea shop, mentioned that most of the fish were caught illegally in the Sundarbans using poison and illegal nets.

At the market, several trucks were seen standing. The drivers said that they would be taking the fish from the market to Dhaka. At the crab market, there was also hustle and bustle. Bags filled with crabs from the Sundarbans were being measured and tied. This was happening during the period when entry into the forest was prohibited.

Fisherman Mobarak Hossain from Maheshwaripur said, “Even though the government announced the season closed for three months, illegal fishing with poison has continued through secret agreement with forest officers. For catching fish with small nets, they charged Tk 800; for deer hunting Tk 5,000; for catching fish with poison in a 'vesali' net Tk 3,000; and for hunting crabs, forest guards have been taking Tk 3,000 per day for four consecutive days.”

At 9:30am, a shrimp-laden van left the Doulia Bazaar fish market. The reporter, carefully following the van, saw it stop at the side of the road near the village of Deyara in Maharajpur union, Koyra. Several people took the shrimp from the van to a two-room house some distance from the main road. Inside the house, a few hundred kilograms of shrimp were spread on bamboo platforms, emitting a strong smell of poison. Nearby, piles of red dried fish were stacked, and smoke was rising from pieces of wood below the platforms.

When asked who owned the factory, an elderly woman introduced herself as Sofia Begum, a worker there. She said this land belongs to Mukul Gazi from Maharajpur area. He is given Tk 3,000 as rent monthly. She also revealed that the factory was run by Jalal Sheikh from Maheshwaripur, and Noor Box Gazi in Maharajpur supplies the shrimp caught with poison. The factory had been operating for three years, and 245 kg of shrimp had been brought that day. Sofia mentioned that each kg of dried fish was sold for Tk 1,400, and traders took it to various places, including Dhaka.

In a nearby house, dried shrimp were laid out on bamboo racks, and a strong, pungent odor was in the air. The room had an odd smell from the poison used on the shrimp, and freshly made dried fish was stacked nearby.

Unraveling the mystery of the arrest

When questioned about the inaction of the forest department and their alleged collusion with criminals, a forest officer at the Kashiabad Forest Station in Koyra, Nirmal Mondal, said: “The local panel chairman Lutfor, businessman Amirul, Jamal, and others have come to me at least three times asking me to allow their fishing boats into the forest during the closed season. They also made underhand proposals, but I refused. The allegations against me are not true.”

According to forest-dependent fishermen, forest officers do not take money directly from them. Instead, they receive payments through middlemen, called “company traders.” When fishermen are caught or fined, these traders pay the fines on their behalf, and later, the money is deducted from the fishermen’s earnings.

Recently, six fishermen from Koyra were arrested for fishing with two boats in the Bhomorkhali area. One of the detained fishermen's uncle, Jahid Hossain, told Prothom Alo that earlier, there was an outstanding payment of Tk 10,000 for these two boats from a previous agreement with the forest department. Since they didn't pay, the fishermen were tactfully arrested, and cases were filed against them.

Another detained fisherman Mithun Sarder's relative Mustafa Hossain said that the arrested fishermen had told them that their two boats contained about 200 kg of white fish and 60-70 kg of shrimp. The forest guards took all the fish, and after holding the fishermen for two days, they couldn't pay the fine, so the authorities planted poison bottles on them and sent them to court.

A fish trader from Palli Mangal village in Koyra, Mostafizur Rahman, mentioned, “We lease canals in the Sundarbans from the forest guards, but problems arise when big businessmen pay higher amounts to push out smaller traders. In such incidents, cases are filed against us.”

When asked, Abdul Hakim, the officer-in-charge of the Bhomorkhali Patrol Camp, said, “We don’t allow fishing with poison, so the fishermen falsely accuse the forest guards. We only follow orders from senior officers.”

Since the government change on 5 August, many things have shifted in the Sundarbans. The Assistant Forest Conservator of the Khulna Range, AZM Hasanur Rahman, was appointed as the Divisional Officer of the Sundarbans West Forest Division.

When asked, he said, "Forest guards have no connection with crimes related to forest resources and claimed that fabricated complaints were made by people who could not get illegal advantages."

Return of the forest bandits

Since 5 August, one of the most alarming changes in the Sundarbans has been the resurgence of forest bandits. According to forest dwellers, some unscrupulous fish and crab traders are fueling the activities of the bandits.

These traders are controlling canals in the protected areas of the Sundarbans and are sending the bandits into the forest to catch fish using poison. While the bandits hold ordinary fishermen hostage, they do not harass those fishermen who work under the influential traders.

Fishermen say that many groups that had surrendered in 2018 have returned to banditry in the Sundarbans. In particular, the activities of the Majnu group, Sharif group, Dayal group, Rabiul group, Abdullah group, Manjur group, and Masum Billah group have increased in the western Sundarbans. These bandit groups have reportedly connection with the poison-fishing syndicates.

Forest dwellers claim that some unscrupulous fish and crab traders are behind the bandits. They are controlling the canals in the restricted areas of the Sundarbans and using the bandits to fish with poison. While the bandits hold ordinary fishermen hostage, they do not bother the fishermen working under the traders.

Several fishermen from the Goryabari of Koyra, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that fish and crab traders from the Dacope and Koyra regions are sending fishermen into the restricted areas to catch fish and crabs. There is a rivalry between the traders from these two areas over control of the territory. The bandit group close to the traders in Dacope is the Mama-Bhagne group, while the group in Koyra is the Rabiul group.

In the past month, several fishermen from Koyra have paid ransom to be freed from the bandits' captivity. Among them, fishermen like Saleman Molla, Nazrul Gazi, Sushanto Rapton, and Imamuddin shared that they had to pay at least Tk 20,000 to secure their release. Each bandit group consists of 10-12 members, all of whom are armed. They hunt deer to meet their food demands daily.

On 6 January, Rajab Ali, a fisherman from village No. 6 in Koyra, returned to his area after being freed from the bandits. He shared that he was held hostage for two days before being released by the bandits, who left his younger brother, Riazul Islam, behind.

Rajab Ali further mentioned, "The bandits are overseeing the fishermen controlled by the traders who spread poison to catch fish. Whenever they find a network inside the forest, they contact the traders by phone."

Imdadul Haque, the OC of Koyra police station, stated, “Since the political change, I’ve heard that notorious criminals who escaped from the Satkhira jail, as well as bandits who had surrendered six years ago, have returned to banditry. We are looking into the old forest bandits. If anyone tries to instill fear in the Sundarbans, they will be dealt with firmly."

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print and online editions, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.​

 

[Saif]

US walks away from Paris deal

ON HIS first day back in office, US president Donald Trump reignited a controversial chapter of American climate policy by notifying the United Nations of his administration’s intention to exit the Paris Climate agreement — for a second time. This echoes his first term, when the US formally...

www.newagebd.net

US walks away from Paris deal
Mohammed Norul Alam Raju 31 January, 2025, 00:00

ON HIS first day back in office, US president Donald Trump reignited a controversial chapter of American climate policy by notifying the United Nations of his administration’s intention to exit the Paris Climate agreement — for a second time. This echoes his first term, when the US formally withdrew from the accord in 2020, only for Joe Biden to reverse the decision in 2021. Trump, however, remains steadfast in his belief that the agreement is ‘unfair and one-sided,’ making climate policy a key battleground in his political narrative.

The Trump administration argued that the accord that united nearly 200 nations imposed disproportionate burdens on the US, citing potential economic disadvantages, job losses, and costs to the coal and fossil fuel industries. It also claimed the agreement allowed countries such as China and India to continue polluting while allegedly undermining US competitiveness. This withdrawal, which will take one year to execute, will leave the US among a small group of non-signatories, including Iran, Libya, and Yemen.

The Paris climate agreement, adopted in 2015, aimed to combat climate change by limiting global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Nations committed to voluntary targets for reducing emissions, known as nationally determined contributions, and pledged to enhance these targets every five years. For the US, this meant ambitious goals: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 61–66 per cent by 2035, a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Trump’s executive order claimed that this Accord, along with other international agreements, fails to align with US values and ‘redirects’ American taxpayer dollars ‘to nations that neither need nor deserve such financial assistance’. Instead of adhering to a collective global framework, Trump argued that the US’s track record of balancing economic growth with environmental goals should serve as a model for other countries.

Declaring an ‘energy emergency,’ he revived his infamous mantra, ‘drill, baby, drill,’ and pledged to roll back what he labelled as Biden’s electric vehicle mandate. He contended that the US should not undermine its industries while nations like China continue to pollute without consequence. ‘China uses a lot of dirty energy but produces a lot of energy,’ he claimed, adding, ‘When that stuff goes up in the air, it doesn’t stay there... It floats into the United States of America after three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half days.’

The political dimension of Trump’s decision cannot be ignored. The 2024 US presidential election witnessed over $4 billion in contributions to candidates’ campaign committees and external groups supporting them. According to Yale Climate Connections, the fossil fuel industry spent $219 million to influence the outcome of the election. Much of the money in politics is directed to political action committees and political party committees rather than specific candidates. Notably, 88 per cent of contributions from the fossil fuel industry went to Republicans. These figures represent only reported contributions, with actual sums potentially much higher. In recent years, the US became the world’s largest gas producer, and 2023 witnessed a record issuance of 758 oil and gas drilling licences.

A critical question is how the US withdrawal will affect the global climate accord.

The US has significantly increased its funding for climate initiatives in recent years. This funding originates from various sources, including the US government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the department of agriculture. In 2023, the US provided $9.5 billion in international climate finance, marking a six-fold increase from 2021. The US also implemented numerous climate programs, including climate pollution reduction grants, community change grant program and emergency plan for adaptation and resilience. Most of this funding was allocated to adaptation, clean energy, and sustainable landscapes. The US withdrawal from the Paris agreement is expected to impact the implementation of these programs on the ground.

Donald Trump’s initial decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement during his first term served as a wake-up call for the European Union and significantly influenced its climate ambitions. The US withdrawal created a leadership void in global climate policy, as the US was one of the largest emitters and a key player in international negotiations. The EU seized this opportunity to assume a more prominent role in driving global climate efforts. China transitioned from co-leadership with the US to sole leadership, while India maintained its commitments. However, Brazil’s climate ambitions were curtailed following the election of Jair Bolsonaro, a climate sceptic.

It is premature to predict how the current withdrawal will shape global climate efforts. A major concern is the extent to which the fossil fuel industry will influence policy decisions, potentially exacerbating climate challenges.

Some may question the implications of US withdrawal for climate finance. With the US stepping back, other nations may face increased pressure to enhance their commitments to meet global targets. Specifically, questions arise regarding who will bear the costs of addressing climate damages and facilitating the energy transition. COP29, dubbed the ‘Finance COP,’ aimed to secure $300 billion annually from developed nations to assist developing countries in addressing climate change. However, this sum constitutes less than 25 per cent of what was initially sought. Will other donor nations compensate for the shortfall created by the US withdrawal, or will it undermine global resolve to supply climate finance to developing countries?

The US is responsible for about 22 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions since 1950. Although China surpassed the US as the world’s largest annual carbon emitter several years ago, the US remains the second-largest annual emitter, releasing 4.9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2023. Trump’s return raises fears that these emissions could rise, reversing progress toward global targets.

The reality of climate change is undeniable. The catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles serve as a reminder that Americans, like the rest of the world, are increasingly affected by worsening climate change. Laurence Tubiana, a key architect of the Paris accord, expressed disappointment over the US withdrawal but emphasised that global action to combat climate change ‘is stronger than any single country’s politics and policies.’

Despite Trump’s scepticism, the clean energy market is expanding rapidly, projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2035. His dismissal of Biden’s clean energy policies as a ‘green new scam’ contrasts sharply with international resolve to combat climate change. Notably, even during Trump’s first withdrawal, no other nation followed suit. Instead, countries, businesses, and local governments reaffirmed their commitments, showing that the fight against climate change transcends individual leaders.

Public opinion, too, reflects a growing consensus. An Associated Press-NORC poll found that only 2 in 10 US adults supported withdrawal from the Paris agreement, while approximately one-quarter were neutral. Notably, even less than half of Republicans backed the move. These statistics suggest that while Trump’s policies may appeal to a vocal minority, the broader public recognises the need for climate action.

Mohammed Norul Alam Raju is a researcher and development activist.​

 

[Saif]

Air pollution intensifies

Air pollution in Dhaka city is getting more intense and is staying for periods much longer than it did nine years ago amid a serious lack of pragmatic measure to control the sources of air pollution, increasingly posing public health threats.

www.newagebd.net

Air pollution intensifies
Rashad Ahamad 31 January, 2025, 23:40

Lack of monitoring, effective steps blamed

Air pollution in Dhaka city is getting more intense and is staying for periods much longer than it did nine years ago amid a serious lack of pragmatic measure to control the sources of air pollution, increasingly posing public health threats.

According to the available air quality monitoring data, the city’s air has steadily worsened since 2016 both in terms of quality and duration of stay except the Covid-19 period when the government imposed restrictions on public mobility.

Air quality monitoring data shows that in leap year 2024, Dhaka city residents experienced unhealthy air for a staggering 216 days out of 366 days compared with 92 days in 2016.

The Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies analysed the air pollution data in the past nine years to find that the average score in the air quality index in Dhaka was 171 in 2024 that was 150 in 2016.

Air quality index scores between 151 and 200 mean ‘unhealthy’ air in which bigger scores indicate worse quality.

The AQI value for particle pollution—a term indicating a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air—between 101 and 150 indicates the air is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’,

between 151 and 200 indicates it is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 indicates ‘very unhealthy’ air, while 301+ is considered ‘hazardous’ that poses serious health risks to residents.

According to a latest World Bank report titled ‘Breathing heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh’, air pollution was the second largest risk factor leading to deaths and disability in Bangladesh. Around 78,000–88000 people died in 2019 in Bangladesh due to health hazards caused by air pollution.

Bangladesh’s economic losses from air pollution are estimated between 3.9 and 4.4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2019.

According to the report, 28 per cent polluted air generated from biomass burning, 24 per cent from power plants, 12 per cent from brick kilns, 11 per cent from open burning of waste materials, 8 per cent from dust and 13 per cent from other sources.

Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies director Professor Kamruzzaman Mazumder said that pollution soared because new sources of pollution added with the existing ones in the absence of a strict monitoring mechanism.

Environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan termed air pollution control as a time consuming issue.

She said that the government, having set the air pollution control among its top priority issues, had been seriously at work.

She also put impetus on improving the fuel quality and increasing the refinery capacity for improving the air quality.

‘Bangladesh must adopt a long-term strategy to combat pollution effectively,’ Rizwana said.

A director of the Department of Environment Ziaul Haque said that they were conducting mobile courts against the polluters and already shut down several hundred brick kilns and fined industries and vehicles for polluting air.

‘Everyone is affected by air pollution to some extent,’ he said.

The department conducted 220 mobile court drives against the air polluters and filed 567 cases in a year until January 25, 2025. Around Tk 8 crore was realised in fines and punitive actions taken against over 150 brick kilns, said the department officials.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University respiratory medicine professor Mohammed Atiqur Rahman said that air pollution is directly responsible for respiratory diseases, while it aggravates many other illnesses and co-morbidity.

Asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, skin diseases, diarrhoea and conjunctivitis are among the diseases triggered or aggravated by air pollution.

According to the data from the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, 1,76,441 patients received healthcare in the specialised hospital and research centre in 2023, and 1,046 of them died while undergoing treatment.

In 2022, total 947 people died in hospital, while 1,62,780 people received healthcare.

Public health experts said that air pollution was linked to roughly half of the premature deaths in Bangladesh.

A global study released in August 2023 by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago found Bangladesh’s air to be the most polluted globally, gravely impacting citizens’ health and reducing average life expectancy by at least 6.8 years.​

 

[Saif]

Effective law and planning can control noise pollution

While addressing vehicular noise has been a focus, it is equally vital to regulate loudspeaker usage in communal and religious settings.

www.thedailystar.net

Effective law and planning can control noise pollution

Noise levels in Dhaka often range between 80 and 100 dB, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended safe threshold. FILE VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN

Dhaka, the sprawling capital of Bangladesh, is gripped by an escalating crisis of noise pollution, primarily fuelled by unregulated vehicular horns and unrelenting traffic chaos. This incessant barrage of sound has profound physiological and psychological consequences, inflicting damage that extends far beyond momentary discomfort. Noise levels in Dhaka often range between 80 and 100 decibels (dB), far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safe threshold of 55 dB for residential zones.

The city's chaotic traffic—a dense mix of different kinds of vehicles—is a primary contributor to this noise crisis. Smaller vehicles, particularly rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, often use outdated mechanical horns. In addition, unregulated loudspeaker use in social gatherings, religious events, and public announcements exacerbates the situation, with noise levels frequently exceeding 120 dB in Dhaka.

While addressing vehicular noise has been a focus, it is equally vital to regulate loudspeaker usage in communal and religious settings. Religious establishments and community programmes often use high-volume speakers to reach a wider audience. Although these practices are culturally significant, it is essential to regulate sound levels lawfully to prevent public health crises.

On the physiological front, chronic exposure to such high noise levels results in a host of health issues, including Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), hypertension, tachycardia, cardiovascular disorders, increased risks of stroke and stress-related conditions. Prolonged exposure to high-decibel noise also impairs cognitive function, reduces work efficiency, and leads to sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and heightened anxiety. For children, developmental delays, including cognitive and language impairments, are common consequences. Pregnant women face increased risks of foetal stress, leading to potential complications like low birth weight and developmental delays. Other stress-related conditions like epilepsy, vasovagal attacks, speech interference, headaches, memory issues, and nervous breakdowns are exacerbated by prolonged exposure to noise pollution. Extremely loud and constant noise can also lead to gastritis, colitis, and even heart attacks.

The socioeconomic impacts are equally alarming. Sleep deprivation from nocturnal noise reduces productivity, increases absenteeism, and elevates healthcare costs. Chronic medical conditions linked to noise pollution strain the healthcare system, while the diminished quality of life can deter tourism and foreign investment, further complicating Dhaka's economic challenges. Recent studies indicate that Dhaka's economic loss in terms of GDP from noise pollution amounts to billions annually.

Bangladesh's legal framework for noise pollution is outlined in the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997, which categorises noise zones into residential, commercial, industrial, and silent zones with prescribed decibel limits. For example, the maximum allowable noise level for residential areas is 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night.

The Sound Pollution Control Rules, 2006, which specifically addresses noise pollution, provides detailed guidelines for permissible sound levels in different zones and emphasises control measures for vehicular horns and public address systems. These rules mandate obtaining prior permission to use loudspeakers in public events and impose penalties for violations. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to the lack of awareness and insufficient monitoring resources.

Stringent regulations must be enforced for vehicular noise control. Licensing protocols should include mandatory decibel-limit testing for horns across all vehicle types. For smaller vehicles like rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, the law should mandate the replacement of horns with manual ringing mechanisms to reduce overall noise pollution.

Larger motorised vehicles must adhere to a 65 dB horn limit in urban areas, with penalties including fines, licence suspension or vehicle confiscation for repeat violations. Newly manufactured vehicles must integrate advanced noise-reduction technologies, and retrofitting older models should be mandatory within a defined timeline.

Loudspeaker usage should be similarly regulated. Public address systems must include decibel limiters, capping sound levels at 75 dB in residential areas and 85 dB in commercial zones. Special attention should be paid to noise-sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, and residential neighbourhoods, with stricter sound limits and monitoring enforced.

Technological advancements can also play a pivotal role. Smart noise sensors, strategically installed in high-traffic areas, can monitor sound levels, enabling authorities to identify hotspots and penalise violators. AI-driven traffic management systems can optimise vehicle flow, reducing congestion and unnecessary honking. Additionally, noise-dampening technologies, such as soundproofing measures at large public venues and community centres, should be encouraged. Mobile apps enabling residents to report noise violations, coupled with AI-powered monitoring systems, can transform noise regulation in Dhaka.

Public awareness is another cornerstone of effective noise control. Campaigns to raise awareness about the health hazards of noise pollution should target schools, universities and workplaces. Media must highlight the physiological and psychological toll of unchecked noise pollution, fostering a collective sense of responsibility. Community initiatives should encourage behavioural changes, such as minimising honking and adopting quieter practices in both residential and commercial zones.

Collaboration among key stakeholders is essential for sustained progress. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the Department of Environment, law enforcement agencies, and public health experts must work together to implement comprehensive solutions. Pilot projects in high-noise areas can serve as testing grounds for new initiatives before broader adoption. All vehicles, regardless of size, should undergo regular noise compliance inspections during licensing and roadworthiness evaluations. Swift penalties for violations and consistent enforcement of these regulations will be key to ensuring compliance.

Addressing noise pollution in Dhaka is not merely an environmental concern, it is a public health imperative. By implementing stronger regulations, leveraging technology, and fostering awareness, the city can significantly reduce the impact of relentless noise. This transformation will enhance the quality of life for millions, reduce the socioeconomic burden, and create a healthier, more productive urban environment.

S M Muhaiminul Islam is a researcher and member of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).

Dr Nishat Tasnim is a physician and alumnus of Sher-E-Bangla Medical College.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh sees one of warmest winters

The coldest month January ended rather warm, with barely any cold wave days, setting this winter well on the trajectory to become one of the warmest in the country’s history.

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh sees one of warmest winters
Emran Hossain 03 February, 2025, 00:14

The coldest month January ended rather warm, with barely any cold wave days, setting this winter well on the trajectory to become one of the warmest in the country’s history.

February is the last month of the three-month-long winter when cold waves occur but the temperature does not drop as much as in January, the second half of which coincides with the first half of the formidable winter month on the Bangla calendar —Magh.

Magh, used to bring punishing cold, so much so that it spawned myths like Magh makes even tigers shiver, has only 10 days to go with Sunday’s temperature hovered around 30C over vast swathes of the country, particularly cities and other urban areas.

Many said that they used ceiling fans day and night in the current peak of Magh with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicting the possibility of a brief cold wave before winter officially ends this month.

‘The average minimum temperature in January was 1.1C higher than what is usual,’ meteorologist AKM Nazmul Hoque told New Age.

January saw its lowest minimum temperature to drop to 7.3C on January 10 in Tetulia, which is also the lowest temperature recorded so far this winter.

Temperature dropped frequently below 7C over the last 15 years. Only four other Januaries have been as warm as the immediate past one, showed an analysis of 44 years of data preserved by the meteorology department.

The temperature did not drop below 7.3C, as it happened last in January in 2025, also in 1982, 1986, 2002 and 2009.

On January 28, 2024, the lowest temperature dropped to 5C at Dimla of Nilphamari. On January 20, the year before in 2023, the lowest temperature was recorded to be 5.6C in Srimangal of Moulvibazar.

In 2022, the lowest temperature was 6C, recorded on January 31 in Tetulia of Panchagarh.

Four cold waves, two lasting just one day each and the rest two three and four days, were recorded in this January.

January turning out this warm presented a sharp contrast to the beginning of winter in December when temperature saw a sharp drop middle of the month ushering in a cold wave. The temperature dropped to 8.4C on December 13 with the season’s first cold wave lasting for three days. The December 2024 was the coldest regarding the recorded lowest temperature in the 44 years since 1981, showed an analysis of the BMD data. The first cold wave this winter hit three weeks earlier than last year.

A cold wave, which can be mild, moderate and severe, reflects the fall of air temperature over a large area below 10C.

‘The circulation of air has been very strange this year,’ said Bazlur Rashid, a senior BMD meteorologist and climate researcher.

Winter arrives with the arrival of westerly, wind blowing from the west to east, particularly from the Mediterranean Sea, he explained.

This winter there has been a constant flow of wind from the Mediterranean, without almost any break, which was unusual, and the wind got blocked around Afghanistan, he said.

The strong westerly, which flows close to the surface, prevented Jet wind, upper atmosphere wind flowing above 18,000 feet, from taking its usual course.

Jet wind flows from the east to west, at a high speed exceeding 100kmph. The temperature in the jet wind starts at -20C. The temperature can reach -50C.

Jet wind descends close to the surface when westerly weakens, increasing the feeling of cold, which did not happen this year. Jet wind also got stuck around Afghanistan, almost never reaching either West Bengal or Bangladesh.

‘Jet wind needs to come down to 12,000 feet or even lower to lower the temperature and give the feeling of cold,’ said Bazlu, adding that the wind remained above 15,000 feet so far.

Jet wind usually passes over Bangladesh and its adjacent West Bengal during winter, which had not happened this winter.

Cloudless sky and absence of fog along with high land surface temperature has made the current winter feel rather warm, meteorologists have observed.

January was 99 per cent rain deficient as well, while December was 91 per cent rain deficient. Back to back low pressure formed in November and December, potentially contributing to cloudless skies by pulling clouds into them.

The temperature observations from Bangladesh showed a clear climate signal, with fewer and shorter cold waves in the recent decades, according to a BMD report titled ‘Changing climate of Bangladesh’, released in February last year.

Cold waves became concentrated in January in Dhaka division, the report said. There were some cases of cold waves in December and February as well, according to the report.

In one of the coldest areas of the country, Rangpur division, cold waves started early or mid-December throughout most of the period studied—1980–2023. The northern district recorded a cold wave even in November in 1981. But the period of cold waves appears to have been delayed over the past few years, starting at the third or fourth week of December or even in January, the report said.

Historically, cold waves were frequent in January and February but in recent years the end of February had been without any, the report said about Rangpur. In Rajshahi division, known for extreme heat during summer and intense cold during winter, the period of cold waves started in the first week of December up to 2006 but then decreased, indicating a delay in cold wave conditions.

In Rajshahi division in 2023, no cold spell was recorded in December at all. The number of cold wave days in December and February has decreased also, while a large number of cold wave days were observed in January throughout the period 1980–2023 in the division, the BMD report said.​

 

[Saif]

Our development model is poisoning Dhaka

True reform should involve policies that protect Dhaka’s residents and their right to a liveable city.

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Our development model is poisoning Dhaka

People are being forced to organise movements to protect what's left of open, green spaces like Panthakunja Park. FILE PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

After the fall of a deeply corrupt and irresponsible government through a mass uprising, we believed that many things would improve. But our hopes have been shattered. One of our most critical concerns is related to survival—our ability to simply breathe and live.

Dhaka's air pollution remains among the worst in the world. The city continues to hold the infamous record of having the most hazardous air globally. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 300, the air is classified as "extremely dangerous." In some areas of Dhaka, AQI has surpassed 400, even approaching 500. Even on Sunday morning, Dhaka had the worst air in the world. At such levels, the concentration of harmful particulate matter in the air makes it dangerous for humans. The situation is dire, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The rate at which cases of respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, fever, cough, and lung infections are rising is alarming.

Despite these circumstances, we have not seen the government take meaningful steps to address the crisis. The situation has deteriorated to the point where people are forced to organise movements simply to protect open, green spaces like Bahadur Shah Park, Tetultola playground, Panthakunja Park, and Khilgaon playground in Dhaka, as well as in other cities. The previous government showed complete negligence to these issues, and we had hoped that the new interim government would be more responsive. However, this has not been the case.

For instance, the Panthakunja Park, which used to be a small open space with some trees, has been taken over for the construction of a ramp of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. To prevent this, some young activists have been protesting on site for more than 50 days, and concerned citizens have expressed solidarity with them, yet the government has not responded positively. Instead, officials claim that these projects cannot be cancelled or revised. However, the ramp being built in Panthakunja was not a part of the original plan. It was introduced later to benefit certain private companies seeking to maximise their profits. An article by Kallol Mustafa recently published in this daily has detailed how such projects are often linked to private interests rather than genuine public needs.

There have been numerous proposals and projects to protect Dhaka's environment, including efforts to clean up the Buriganga River and other nearby rivers, to clean up the city's air. Loans worth hundreds of crores of taka have been organised from the World Bank and other lenders in the name of the environment's improvement. Yet, there are no visible results. Where has this money gone? Many argue that protecting the environment requires significant financial investment, but this is incorrect. Environmental protection does not require excessive funds, rather it requires stopping disastrous spending. In fact, unnecessary investments and projects that serve private interests are actively destroying the environment.

One of the primary causes of environmental degradation in Dhaka is unregulated construction. Without proper planning or assessment of long-term consequences, construction activities are going on unchecked. The construction sector now accounts for around eight percent of Bangladesh's GDP (2021). To maintain this economic growth, open spaces are being filled in, parks are being encroached upon, and land is being leased for commercial purposes. Even historic places like Bahadur Shah Park are being leased out for commercial purposes.

The fundamental issue here is that no serious effort is being put into reducing air pollution in Dhaka. Many of the environmental projects funded by international funding agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have ironically contributed to its destruction instead. For example, under the guise of "social forestry" projects, natural forests in Bangladesh at various locations have been destroyed and replaced with commercial plantations of eucalyptus and acacia, which have had a devastating ecological impact. The destruction of the Chakaria Sundarbans is a prime example of that. In the name of energy development, Bangladesh has also built multiple coal-fired power plants, significantly increasing air pollution. While projects aimed at reducing pollution exist, the primary beneficiaries are consultants, bureaucrats who enjoy foreign trips, and individuals engaged in import-dependent activities.

Among other major causes for pollution are brick kilns, deforestation and river encroachments. Addressing these issues does not require massive financial investments; rather, it demands proper planning and decisive government action. Recently, the government attempted to ban polythene bags, but it was ineffective. One of the key reasons was the significant financial investment and employment tied to the polythene industry. Transitioning away from polythene to natural fibre-based alternatives requires a well-planned approach, including consultation with industry stakeholders and ensuring the availability of viable substitutes. But instead of implementing a structured transition plan, the government simply issued a top-down directive, which predictably failed.

Bangladesh has no shortage of natural fibres, and we could have developed a thriving industry around environment-friendly products to replace polythene. Unfortunately, there has been no development in the jute industry. Loans from the World Bank, rather than promoting jute-based alternatives, contributed to the industry's decline. Meanwhile, because of indiscriminate use of cheap polythene, Dhaka's drainage system remains clogged, leading to severe waterlogging and further river pollution.

Dhaka could have been a much healthier city. Surrounded by rivers, it had the potential to be an environmentally sustainable urban area. If its rivers had been preserved, its open spaces protected, and large-scale afforestation efforts undertaken, the city's air quality would have significantly improved. Adequate greenery—fruit-bearing trees, flowering plants, and natural forests—could have dramatically reduced disease rates and provided a much healthier living environment.

Instead, Dhaka is surrounded by countless brick kilns, despite repeated discussions about their harmful impact. Most of these kilns operate illegally. They must be shut down, and viable alternatives to bricks must be introduced.

If immediate steps are not taken, Dhaka will fully transform into a city of sick people. We are already witnessing a sharp increase in illnesses, and this will only worsen if urgent measures are not implemented. There are no playgrounds for children, no open spaces where people can breathe fresh air, and the water we drink is contaminated. Citizens cannot even enjoy a clean and peaceful time by the river.

This extreme deprivation stems from the current development model, which prioritises profit maximisation for a select group over public welfare. Projects are designed to benefit certain influential groups through lobbying, while the common people—who bear the consequences—are entirely excluded from the decision-making process.

The present government frequently talks about reforms, but what kind of reforms are they referring to? Reform is not an abstract concept; it requires concrete actions. True reform should involve policies that protect Dhaka's residents and their right to a liveable city.

Anu Muhammad is a former professor of economics from Jahangirnagar University.​

 

[Saif]

Saving rivers is our duty

River pollution in Dhaka continues with little effort to curb it.

www.thedailystar.net

Saving rivers is our duty
Outcome of govt actions must be more visible

VISUAL: STAR

It is hardly surprising that pollution sources around Dhaka's rivers have nearly doubled over the last five years, given the unchecked degradation of rivers and other waterbodies in the country. Industrial units, government agencies, and private individuals have all contributed equally and untiringly to poisoning the waters of Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakhya, Balu, Karnatali, and Dhaleswari rivers—Dhaka's lifelines for centuries. Despite repeated calls to save them, successive governments have failed to take effective measures to prevent pollution or hold the polluters and encroachers accountable, emboldening them further.

As a result, according to a recent River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) study, the number of pollution sources—industries, kitchen markets, dockyards, municipal sewerage lines, private sewerage outlets, and waste dumping stations—has surged from 608 to 1,024 in just five years. Even sluice gates and service canals are contaminating major rivers like Buriganga and Shitalakhya by channelling pollutants directly into them. All this means that the Tk 1,000 crore spent by the previous government on projects to protect Dhaka's rivers literally went down the drain. Evidently, corruption and political favouritism compromised its commitment to saving rivers.

The interim government, free from such biases and with environment activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan in its ranks, is expected to show greater dedication to protecting rivers and the environment. However, while efforts to restore 19 canals across Dhaka have recently begun, actions against major river polluters and encroachers have remained inadequate. No one expects the government to solve the deep-rooted issues involved with river protection overnight, but its measures must be more visible, especially against key offenders, to deter others.

Additionally, the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) must be reactivated and empowered without any further delay. It is baffling that this vital agency is still operating with minimal staff months after the interim government revoked its chairman's appointment. Further delays in making it functional will only worsen pollution and allow more rivers to fall to encroachers. Ultimately, saving our rivers is a collective responsibility. While the government must act decisively, citizens, too, must refrain from polluting activities. Our rivers are essential for our survival—we all must do the best we can to protect them.​

 

[Saif]

St Martin’s Island: Clean-up effort to be launched from mid-Feb

A clean-up effort will be launched in St Martin’s Island under Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar in mid-February following suspension on tourism activities for next nine months

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St Martin’s Island: Clean-up effort to be launched from mid-Feb

Photo: Sharif Sarwar/File

A clean-up effort will be launched in St Martin's Island under Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar in mid-February following suspension on tourism activities for next nine months.

According to the directives of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Cox's Bazar district administration will coordinate the entire operation, said Mohammad Salauddin, deputy commissioner of the district.

"The tourism season has ended and we are now focusing on reviving the island's natural environment which sustained damages due to tourism. Local residents will be involved in the activities to boost their income," he said.

"Earlier, in December and January, a total 14 tonnes of plastic and polythene wastes were collected from the island in exchange for food items including rice, oil, lentils and biscuits," the DC added.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in October last year restricted tourist visits to just three months of the year -- November, December, and January – with a daily limit of 2,000 tourists, in order to reduce pollution and protect the island's environment and biodiversity.

The Department of Environment in 1999 declared St Martin's Island an Ecologically Critical Area. In 2023, the government designated 1,743 square kilometres of the Bay of Bengal adjacent to St Martin's Island as a protected area under the Wildlife Act.

The first initiative to control tourism on the island was taken in August 2020. The government assigned the Center for Geographical Information Services (CEGIS) to conduct a study. Following the research, CEGIS concluded that the primary cause of environmental destruction in St Martin's Island is unregulated tourism, adding that tourists should not be allowed to stay overnight on the island under any circumstances.

Although the island has a daily capacity of 2,000 visitors, some 10,000 to 12,000 tourists travelled there every day even in last year. At least 230 hotels and motels have been established illegally without any waste management systems, leading to an accumulation of sewage and plastic wastes across the island.

A study found that the island's water contains 10 times more bacteria than the mainland. Crabs are being caught for tourist consumption, while boat traffic and campfires are endangering three rare species of sea turtles. The excessive number of tourists is also causing a sharp decline in groundwater levels.

In 1980, the island had 141 coral species, but by 2016, the number dropped to 41. Research organisations warned that without urgent conservation efforts, St Martin's Island could lose all the coral species by 2045.

"We have to save St Martin's Island to carry on the tourism business," said Abu Morshed Chowdhury, president of Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

"The reduction in tourist numbers is now helping to protect the island's biodiversity," said Dipak Sharma, president of Cox's Bazar Forest and Environment Conservation Council.

Md Zamir Uddin, deputy director of DoE in Cox's Bazar, said they are assessing the damage sustained due to tourism in the island and how much manpower is needed to organise the clean-up activities in order to set the work plan to this end.

Mujibor Rahman, chairman of St Martin union parishad, said people of island and UNDP staffs have already begun cleaning up the beaches and other areas after the tourists left the coral island.

The hotel owners and their staffs, who came from outside, are wrapping up their belongings to leave the island, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Save elephants, protect biodiversity

The recent deaths of several elephants raise questions about our commitment to wildlife conservation.

www.thedailystar.net

Save elephants, protect biodiversity
Govt must restore forest lands, ensure safe elephant corridors

VISUAL: STAR

The deaths of several Asian elephants in the Chattogram region in recent times raise questions about our commitment to wildlife conservation. According to media reports, more than 30 elephants have been found dead in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas and Chattogram's Anwara, Karnaphuli, and Banshkhali upazilas over the past decade. Last year, seven elephant deaths were recorded in Ukhiya and Teknaf alone.

Many of these elephants were electrocuted or shot dead, while others succumbed to hunger, malnutrition, and disease due to food shortages. Expanding human settlements, economic zones, and infrastructure built on elephant habitats and migratory routes are disrupting their natural movement, which typically spans 70-80 kilometres daily in search of food and water. In Ukhiya and Teknaf, the Rohingya refugee camps as well as the barbed-wire fence built by Myanmar government along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border have blocked five of the eight existing elephant corridors in Cox's Bazar, making at least 15 water bodies inaccessible to the area's 205 elephants.

Similarly, in Anwara and Karnaphuli, establishing the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and the China Economic Zone by clearing forests—and without undertaking proper environmental feasibility studies, one may add—has further disrupted the life and habitat of the elephant population. Environmental conservation guidelines were also ignored during the construction of the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line, creating additional barriers for these animals. Alarmingly, many of the elephant deaths have occurred in reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries. What is the purpose of declaring an area a "wildlife sanctuary" if we cannot ensure the safety of the wildlife within it?

There is reason to expect stronger action from the current interim government which claims itself to be pro-environment. In October, the environment adviser helped establish a committee in the KEPZ area to ensure the protection of wild elephants. However, more action is needed across all regions where human-elephant conflicts have been intensifying. The consequences of habitat degradation and destruction extend to humans as well, with 136 people estimated to have been killed by elephants in the last six years.

The government, therefore, must take urgent, visible measures to prevent deforestation, restore forest lands, implement reforestation initiatives, and ensure that the natural routes for elephant movement are never violated under any circumstances. Anti-nature infrastructure development projects undertaken by the Awami League government should also be critically reviewed. We must find a way to coexist with other species without endangering their survival.​

 

[Saif]

BELA demands cancellation of road, car park project in Osmani Udyan

In the letter, sent on February 9, BELA urged authorities to immediately halt all activities encroaching upon open spaces in the park. It also called for consultations with urban planners to remove unauthorised structures and ensure unrestricted public access, according to a press release

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BELA demands cancellation of road, car park project in Osmani Udyan

The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association yesterday sent a formal letter demanding the cancellation of the proposed road construction through Osmani Udyan and the planned 20-storey car parking facility within the park.

In the letter, sent on February 9, BELA urged authorities to immediately halt all activities encroaching upon open spaces in the park. It also called for consultations with urban planners to remove unauthorised structures and ensure unrestricted public access, according to a press release.

Recent media reports revealed that the Ministry of Public Administration plans to build a connecting road from Fulbaria Phoenix Road to Abdul Gani Road through Osmani Udyan to facilitate vehicular movement towards the Secretariat. Additionally, a 20-story car parking facility is planned within the park.

Over the past seven years, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has constructed various structures inside the park under the guise of renovation, restricting public access.

According to urban planners, while legal provisions allow a maximum of 5 percent infrastructure development in parks, 23 percent of Osmani Udyan has already been occupied by structures.

Bangladesh's laws prohibit using or transferring playgrounds or open spaces for any purpose other than their intended use. The courts have also issued clear directives for preserving parks and playgrounds, including the removal of unauthorised structures.

BELA sent the letter to several top officials, including the secretaries of the ministries of housing and public works, public administration, and environment, as well as the local government division. It was also addressed to the administrator of DSCC, the chairman and chief town planner of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, and the chief engineer of the Public Works Department.

The letter strongly opposes any decision that contradicts existing laws and court directives regarding the preservation of parks and open spaces.​

 

[Saif]

Nearly all nations miss UN deadline

Nearly all nations missed a UN deadline to submit new targets for slashing carbon emissions, including major economies under pressure to show leadership following the US retreat on climate change.

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Nearly all nations miss UN deadline

Nearly all nations missed a UN deadline to submit new targets for slashing carbon emissions, including major economies under pressure to show leadership following the US retreat on climate change.

Just 10 of nearly 200 countries required under the Paris Agreement to deliver fresh climate plans by February 10 did so on time, according to a UN database tracking the submissions.

Under the climate accord, each country is supposed to provide a steeper headline figure for cutting heat-trapping emissions by 2035, and a detailed blueprint for how to achieve this.

Global emissions have been rising but need to almost halve by the end of the decade to limit global warming to safer levels agreed under the Paris deal.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has called this latest round of national pledges "the most important policy documents of this century".

Yet just a handful of major polluters handed in upgraded targets on time, with China, India and the European Union the biggest names on a lengthy absentee list.

Most G20 economies were missing in action with the United States, Britain and Brazil -- which is hosting this year's UN climate summit -- the only exceptions.

The US pledge is largely symbolic, made before President Donald Trump ordered Washington out of the Paris deal.

- Accountability -

There is no penalty for submitting late targets, formally titled nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

They are not legally binding but act as an accountability measure to ensure countries are taking climate change seriously and doing their fair share toward achieving the Paris goals.

The sluggish response will not ease fears of a possible backslide on climate action as leaders juggle Trump's return and other competing priorities from budget and security crises to electoral pressure.

Ebony Holland from the International Institute for Environment and Development said the US retreat was "clearly a setback" but there were many reasons for the tepid turnout.

The EU, historically a leader on climate policy, has been delayed by elections and internal processes and is bracing for fresh polls in Germany and Poland.

An EU spokeswoman said a collective target for the 27-nation bloc would be unveiled "well ahead" of the UN COP30 climate conference in November.​

 

[Saif]

Natural disasters cost Bangladesh $3 billion annually

Extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, cost Bangladesh nearly US$3.0 billion annually, affecting over 6.3 million people each year. These findings are part of 'The Climate Risk Index 2025' report, released Thursday by the Germanwatch. The report focused o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Natural disasters cost Bangladesh $3 billion annually
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Feb 13, 2025 17:47
Updated :
Feb 13, 2025 18:18

Extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, cost Bangladesh nearly US$3.0 billion annually, affecting over 6.3 million people each year.

These findings are part of 'The Climate Risk Index 2025' report, released Thursday by the Germanwatch.

The report focused on the disproportionate impact of climate change on global south countries.

Between 1993 and 2022, more than 9,400 extreme weather events worldwide caused nearly 0.8 million deaths and $4.2 trillion in economic losses.

Dominica, China, and Honduras were the most affected countries, while Bangladesh ranked 31st.

The report said a devastating heatwave from March to May 2022, which reached 49.5°C in Pakistan and extended to India and Bangladesh, caused over 90 deaths.

A study by the World Weather Attribution project found that climate change made this heatwave 30 times more likely, underscoring the growing threat of compounding climate events.

Despite its vulnerability, Bangladesh has become a global leader in disaster risk reduction.

Cyclone-related deaths have dropped more than 100-fold over the past 40 years—from 0.5 million in 1970 to 4,234 in 2007—thanks to improved early warning systems and community preparedness.

The report also noted that China, India, and the Philippines face recurring extreme weather, while Dominica, Honduras, Myanmar, and Vanuatu are most affected by exceptional disasters.

Italy, Spain, and Greece were among the top 10 most affected countries globally, showing that even wealthy nations are not immune.

Laura Schaefer of Germanwatch warned that the climate crisis is becoming a global security risk, requiring urgent action. David Eckstein emphasized that $4.2 trillion in losses over 30 years equals Germany’s GDP, urging stronger mitigation efforts.

Lina Adil from the same organisation called for increased climate finance for vulnerable nations, particularly at the upcoming Brazil Climate Summit, to keep global warming near the 1.5°C target.​

 

[Saif]

Coats plans to go greener in Bangladesh

The UK-headquartered thread manufacturer Coats Group has been expanding its operations in Bangladesh to meet the growing demand from local customers, according to a top official.

www.thedailystar.net

Coats plans to go greener in Bangladesh

David Paja

The UK-headquartered thread manufacturer Coats Group has been expanding its operations in Bangladesh to meet the growing demand from local customers, according to a top official.

The globally leading thread-maker is also opting to go green as it aims to take the "driving seat in sustainability," said David Paja, the group chief executive officer (CEO) of Coats.

In an interview with The Daily Star at a hotel in Dhaka last week, Paja said the group has set targets to use 60 percent recycled content by 2026 and 100 percent non-virgin raw materials by 2030.

Currently, Coats uses 45 percent of its raw materials from non-virgin sources.

In Bangladesh, the thread-maker runs two production plants -- one in Gazipur and another in Chattogram. The Chattogram factory was built 35 years ago, while the second plant was opened in Gazipur in 2002.

The factories employ more than 2,000 workers.

The company says it has been facing growing demand from local customers as Bangladesh's apparel exports have increased substantially. The demand for apparel accessories, such as thread, is also on the rise.

It now supplies sewing thread to more than 800 customers in Bangladesh, Paja said.

He added that the group now looks to produce sustainable and recyclable products, as the demand for items like recycled thread, yarn and apparel has been increasing worldwide due mainly to changing consumer habits in fashion.

According to Paja, the thread business is promising in Bangladesh due to its ready customer base, geographical proximity to manufacturing hubs and the country's large number of manufacturing units.

Moreover, Bangladesh holds a strong position in the global tariff regime and has a solid track record about its apparel might.

Besides, the country gets the benefit from a ready workforce, with more than 20 lakh people entering the job market every year.

The group CEO said that over the last five years, the group has continued to invest in expanding its capacity in Bangladesh, as the market is very promising.

Also, the company has set a target to invest in water recycling processes to reuse 50 percent of its wastewater as part of its sustainability plan.

Coats has been planning its sustainability strategy around five pillars: reducing emissions; transitioning materials from virgin to recycled products; water recycling; ensuring zero waste to landfill; and making Coats a great place to work for its people and promoting female leadership.

Paja said, "Coats has been the global leader in thread for decades, and it has a responsibility. We have decided to take the driving seat in sustainability. We have an energy roadmap for 2050."

Regarding energy costs and availability, Paja said his company has already focused on energy sustainability, which is why energy-efficient tools have been installed at its plants.

The company has invested in heat recovery systems and motors to reduce energy consumption. Currently, 30 percent of the company's energy demand is met by solar panels installed on its rooftops, while 60 percent is generated by the company itself. The remaining 10 percent of the energy requirement comes from the national grid.

When asked whether Bangladesh could benefit from the Trump administration's decision to impose tariffs on China and other countries, Paja said it is difficult to anticipate and forecast.

However, Bangladesh has already benefited from the additional tariffs, as work orders have shifted from China to Bangladesh.

Apart from the apparel accessories sector going green, Paja said the fashion industry itself needs to transform, as consumers are now demanding more sustainable products.

Digital technologies must be further developed, as brands face pressure to provide greater traceability of raw materials and finished products. Digital solutions help consumers trace products accurately, he added.

The group CEO said that three key issues -- sustainability, digital technology and innovation -- will shape the future of the fashion industry; and Coats is well ahead in all three areas.​

 

[Saif]

Reclaiming canals: Now or never

With the canal reclamation drive on the agenda of the interim government, one wonders whether it makes Dhaka dwellers at all optimistic about its success, given the decades of repeated failures to accomplish the task. Despite the undeniable benefits of reclaiming lost and threatened canals, urban e

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Reclaiming canals: Now or never
Wasi Ahmed
Published :
Feb 18, 2025 22:49
Updated :
Feb 18, 2025 22:49

A canal in Dhaka illegally occupied by local people is filled with household waste and garbage. —Collected Photo

With the canal reclamation drive on the agenda of the interim government, one wonders whether it makes Dhaka dwellers at all optimistic about its success, given the decades of repeated failures to accomplish the task. Despite the undeniable benefits of reclaiming lost and threatened canals, urban experts remain sceptical due to the authorities' long history of inaction. Successive governments have pledged to take strict measures, yet tangible results remain elusive. The interim government's advisor for water resources, climate change, and environment, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has announced an ambitious plan to reclaim nineteen canals across the capital this year by evicting encroachers. Of these, six canals-Baunia Canal, Rupnagar Canal, Begunbari Canal, Manda Canal, Kalunagar Canal, and Korail Lake-will be freed from encroachment and pollution before the upcoming monsoon. Speaking at the inauguration of the restoration works under Dhaka's two city corporations, the advisor also revealed plans to begin reclaiming 13 additional canals shortly. The government intends to introduce agricultural activities, greenery, and fish farming along the banks of the restored canals, while urging city dwellers to actively engage in the protection of these vital waterways. This time, the authorities seem more cautious than ever, acknowledging past failures and leveraging the advantage of being free from political influences. A key difference in this initiative is the level of inter-agency collaboration and community involvement, which was absent in previous efforts. For the first time, four ministries-Local Government, Environment, Water Resources, and Housing and Public Works-are jointly overseeing the project. Supporting entities include Dhaka WASA, Rajuk, the district administration, NGOs such as BAPA and Green Voice, and the Bangladesh Army. The plan involves demarcating canal boundaries, cleaning polluted waters, conserving canal banks, and integrating waste management and drainage systems. The first phase of work covers 23.66 kilometres across six canals: Baunia Canal (7.19km), Rupnagar Canal (3.5km), Begunbari Canal (1.69km), and Karail Lake (2.45km). Manda Canal (4.37km) and Kalunagar Canal (4.46km). Subsequent phases will reclaim 13 additional canals, including Boalia, Dumni, Shyampur, and Satarkul. A contemporary had reported some time ago that 39 canals in and around Dhaka have totally disappeared. Those that are still alive are mostly in the grip of influential quarters. Besides, due to construction of roads and walkways on both sides of the canals, there is hardly any space left to maintain them to allow discharge of water. On the other hand, unplanned urbanisation has led to the building of box culverts over the canals, an act believed to be instrumental in killing the vital arteries of the capital. According to the Dhaka WASA, until 1985, the capital had 54 canals and most of those were interlinked making their ultimate journey towards the four rivers around the city. It is not at all difficult to detect how most of them got lost or buried and the nature of hindrance that rendered them so. All it takes, according to the experts, is political will - one that we happen to experience only occasionally. In fact, it doesn't require an expert to bring home the importance of canals in rescuing Dhaka from the dreadful water logging and a host of other attendant problems and public sufferings. However, help from the experts is necessary to identify the routes of the canals lost to human greed and misdeeds. Professor Ainun Nishat, noted environmentalist, in an interview with a local daily, commented that tracing the routes of the canals can easily be done from documents, including the length and breadth of each and every canal. The Dhaka district administration can play a lead role in this. Most of the canals are 'owned' by the district authority. The Dhaka WASA is in charge of maintaining about two dozens of canals, the remaining few are virtually 'orphans' with no single agency assigned to maintain them. Another renowned urban expert Professor Nazrul Islam commented that the only way we can hope to recover the lost canals and maintain those is through enacting a law. Experts emphasise that once the reclamation work is completed, a long-term maintenance and monitoring plan must be in place to prevent future encroachment and degradation. Local communities should be actively involved in keeping the canals clean and functional. Awareness campaigns, legal enforcement, and community participation should go hand in hand to make this initiative a lasting success. Without a structured maintenance strategy, Dhaka risks falling back into the same cycle of negligence and destruction, rendering the entire effort futile. Canals in many big cities are life-lines potentially capable of cleansing the cities from dirt and garbage in a natural way-- besides flashing out rain waters as well as containing flash floods to a great extent. In Thailand's capital Bangkok, canals crisscrossing the city are also a treat for the eyes. The clean flow of water, courtesy of painstaking maintenance, is a good enough respite for the city dwellers amid the city's din and bustle. In traffic-choked Dhaka, canals could also be an alternative mode of travel for commuters, provided such a scheme is well designed and strictly enforced. But before we indulge in such wishful daydreams, we must see the canals first.​

 

[Saif]

Country needs to brace for climate catastrophe

Bangladesh has to bear the brunt of awful climate impacts though its contribution to global warming is negligible, believed to be less than 0.47 per cent of global emission. The Bonn-based green organisation Germanwatch reaffirmed this phenomenon and focused on how climate change is likely to leave

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Country needs to brace for climate catastrophe
Sarker Nazrul Islam
Published :
Feb 18, 2025 22:39
Updated :
Feb 18, 2025 22:39

Bangladesh has to bear the brunt of awful climate impacts though its contribution to global warming is negligible, believed to be less than 0.47 per cent of global emission. The Bonn-based green organisation Germanwatch reaffirmed this phenomenon and focused on how climate change is likely to leave disproportionate impact on countries like Bangladesh. It estimates that climate-induced disasters inflict a loss of $3.0 billion on this country annually and affect above 6.3 million of its people.

Because of its unique location and geophysical formation, Bangladesh is a disaste- prone deltaic plain, battered almost regularly by cyclones, floods, heat waves, erratic rainfall and drought that seriously hinder its development efforts. In recent years, these extreme climatic events are taking place in Bangladesh more frequently and with increased fierceness. Quoting Germanwatch, this newspaper reports that cyclones have assumed a more devastating proportion and are taking place recurrently in the Bay of Bengal under the impact of global warming. Bangladesh was devastated by some 49 cyclones since 1960 and was swept over by as many as five cyclones just in twelve months beginning from May 2023.

Scorching heat waves have become an almost common feature of the country's weather pattern during the summer months. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, mercury rose to a record high of 43.8 degree Celsius in Jashore in April last year. The World Weather Attribution claims that climate change has made heat wave 30 times more likely, indicating a growing threat of compounding climate disasters.

Drought is increasingly becoming more and more damaging due to declining rainfall ? for example, 66 per cent in April, 44 per cent in May and as low as 16 per cent in June in 2023. But the most devastating impact of climate change on this low lying country is that some 17 per cent of the country's total area along the coastal belt is likely to be permanently submerged under seawater due to rise of the sea level by only one metre at the end of the century. This will lead to a complete destruction of the flora and fauna of the affected areas, forcing millions to migrate to other areas.

The combined effect of all these climate calamities will lead to a human catastrophe in this most densely populated country. Poverty of about 21 per cent of the population is a harsh reality, only to be aggravated by almost every disaster. Poverty scenario follows a cyclic pattern in this country due in part to climate catastrophe: as a section of the poor people somehow pulls itself out of poverty, another section slides down to it following a disaster. Climate catastrophes make poverty eradication a difficult task in this country.

Germanwatch underscores the need for urgent action as climate crisis is increasingly becoming a worldwide security risk with the intensification of global warming. It also called for increased climate finance for vulnerable countries to keep global warming near the set target of 1.5 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial level. Though some of the wealthy nations like Spain, Italy and Greece are exposed to Nature's fury, coastal countries such as Bangladesh are most vulnerable to it. Since these countries have to suffer the impact of global warming despite no or negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emission, they deserve due compensation from the worst polluters to tide over the crisis. Experts suggest, as the global climate change is taking place due to GHG emission by developed countries, they are obligated to provide for the loss-and-damage fund as adopted by the UN at the Dubai climate conference in 2023. Bangladesh must strive hard to get its legitimate share of the global climate fund and at the same time go on with its own mitigation and adaptation programme.​

 

[Saif]

Wealthy nations owe Bangladesh $5.8 trillion in climate debt

ActionAid says

www.thedailystar.net

Wealthy nations owe Bangladesh $5.8 trillion in climate debt
ActionAid says

Bangladesh, a country grappling with an increasing external debt burden, is owed a staggering $5.8 trillion in climate debt by rich, high-polluting nations, according to a report by ActionAid released this month.

The report, titled "Who Owes Who?", highlights the urgent need for debt cancellation and global financial justice.

Based on historic and projected atmospheric appropriation using low-range estimates since 1992, wealthy nations owe Bangladesh $5.8 trillion in climate debt, the report said.

It also underscored the stark imbalance between the debts that low- and lower-middle-income countries owe and the obligations that high-income countries continue to evade.

The report said that as we enter 2025, 54 countries are in a debt crisis and are being forced to cut spending on basic public services and climate action in order to pay external debts.

Bangladesh, whose external public sector debt stood at $84.44 billion as of September 2024, made debt repayments totalling $4.77 billion to its creditors in 2023.

The country on the Bay of Bengal, one of the most vulnerable to climate change, has to divert its resources towards debt repayment rather than essential public services, while wealthier nations fail to meet their own financial obligations relating to climate justice and reparations.

In 2024, Bangladesh spent 16.9 per cent of its national revenue on external debt repayments, while only 3.08 per cent was allocated to health and 11.73 per cent to education.

"Bangladesh needs debt cancellation and freedom from colonial debt structures to address both the debt crisis and climate change," ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said.

The new report highlights the debt burden of low- and lower-middle-income countries versus the financial obligations of rich nations regarding climate damages, compensations, and unmet commitments, she added.

The Global South, which broadly represents countries mostly in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, must secure debt cancellation and push for the establishment of a new UN Framework Convention on debt this year.

She emphasised the impact of the climate crisis, especially on women and girls.

"We have seen time and again how women are at the forefront of the climate crisis. The failure by the rich polluting countries to pay their climate debt is standing in the way of mitigation and adaptation."

The ActionAid report said that lower-income countries collectively paid $138 billion just to service their debts last year, sacrificing health, education, people's rights, and sustainable national development to satisfy wealthy creditors.

It said that, based on the most systematic studies, the climate debt that rich polluting countries owe low- and lower-middle-income countries is $107 trillion.

This is more than 70 times greater than the total external debt of $1.45 trillion that these countries collectively owe.

The report urges global leaders to unite in demanding debt cancellation as part of payment of the climate debt and other reparations owed by high-income countries.

"As Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations continue to struggle under the weight of an unjust financial system, the findings of this report reinforce the need for urgent global action to address both debt injustice and the climate crisis."​

 

[Saif]

Global glacier melt is accelerating, scientists say

Ice loss from the world’s glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said on Wednesday, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected in the coming years and drive sea levels higher...

www.newagebd.net

Global glacier melt is accelerating, scientists say
Agence France-Presse . Paris 20 February, 2025, 22:58

AFP file photo

Ice loss from the world’s glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said on Wednesday, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected in the coming years and drive sea levels higher.

The world’s glaciers, which are important climate regulators and hold freshwater resources for billions, are rapidly melting as the world warms.

In a first-of-its-kind global assessment, an international team of researchers found a sharp increase in melting over the past decade, with around 36 per cent more ice lost in the 2012 to 2023 period than in the years from 2000 to 2011.

On average some 273 billion tonnes of ice are being lost per year — equivalent to the world population’s water consumption for 30 years, they said.

The findings are ‘shocking’ if not altogether surprising as global temperatures rise with humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions, said Michael Zemp, a professor at the University of Zurich, who was a co-author of the assessment published in the journal Nature.

Overall, researchers found that the world’s glaciers have lost around five per cent of their volume since the turn of the century, with wide regional differences ranging from a two-per cent loss in Antarctica to up to 40 per cent in the European Alps.

Zemp said that regions with smaller glaciers are losing them faster, and many ‘will not survive the present century’.

The research — coordinated by the World Glacier Monitoring Service, The University of Edinburgh and research group Earthwave — was an effort to bring together field and satellite measurements to create a ‘reference estimate’ for tracking ice loss.

Zemp, who leads the WGMS, said the team’s observations and recent modelling studies suggest that glacier melt this century will be faster than projected in the most recent assessment by United Nations IPCC climate experts.

‘Hence, we are facing higher sea-level rise until the end of this century than expected before,’ he said, adding that glacier loss would also impact fresh water supplies, particularly in central Asia and the central Andes.

Glaciers are the second-largest contributor to global sea-level rise — after the rise caused by the expansion of seawater as it warms.

The nearly two centimetres of sea level rise attributed to glacier melt since 2000 means almost four million more people on the world’s coasts made vulnerable to flooding, scientists have estimated.

So far smaller glaciers are the main contributors to sea level rise, but Martin Siegert, a Professor at the University of Exeter who was not involved in the study, said the research was ‘concerning’.

That is because it predicts further glacier losses and could indicate how Antarctica and Greenland’s vast ice sheets react to global warming.

‘Ice sheets are now losing mass at increasing rates — six times more than 30 years ago — and when they change, we stop talking centimetres and start talking metres,’ he said.

Glaciers have been a key bellwether for human-caused climate change for decades, with WGMS data going back more than a century.

In the 20th century, assessments were based on field measurements from some 500 glaciers—involving scientists digging a hole on the top to record the amount of fresh snow that year and then assessing ice amounts lost on the ‘tongue’ where the melting ice flows.

More recently, satellites have allowed scientists to better track changes across the world’s 2,75,000 glaciers — using cameras, radar, lasers and methods to assess the Earth’s mass.

In January, the United Nations said saving the world’s glaciers was an important ‘survival strategy’ for the planet.

To do that, ‘you have to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, it is as simple and as complicated as that,’ said Zemp.

‘Every tenth of a degree warming that we avoid saves us money, saves us lives, saves us problems.’​

 

[Saif]

Biodiversity starts thriving in St Martin’s island after tourism restrictions

With tourists barred from visiting the coral reef island Saint Martin’s on Bay of Bengal from 1 February, the island's deserted beaches are now teeming with snails and oysters. Green mangrove forest and Keya plant (Pandanus tectorius) are also emerging at Diyarmatha and Chheradia on the...

en.prothomalo.com

Biodiversity starts thriving in St Martin’s island after tourism restrictions
Abdul Kuddus
Cox’s Bazar
Published: 20 Feb 2025, 09: 21

Saint Martin Island Prothom Alo

With tourists barred from visiting the coral reef island, Saint Martin’s, on Bay of Bengal from 1 February, the island’s deserted beaches are now teeming with snails and oysters.

Green mangrove forest and Keya plant (Pandanus tectorius) are also emerging at Diyarmatha and Chheradia on the southern side of the island.

The 8-square kilometer Saint Martin’s is the only coral-reef island in the Bay of Bengal.

Located in Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar, tourists used to be able to visit the island until 31 March in other years. However, the island was open for tourists until 31 January this year. While earlier 5,000 tourists would visit the island every day, only 2,000 tourists were allowed to visit it every day this season.

Various studies have shown that Saint Martin has 1,076 species of flora and fauna, including coral, algae, turtles, snails, oysters, marine fish, birds, mammals, and crabs.

The island’s sandbanks are also the nesting grounds for the Olive Ridley sea turtles, one the endangered species of sea turtles of the world.

However, the island has become endangered due to uncontrolled infrastructure building, influx of unchecked number of tourists and the consequential environmental pollution.

The Department of Environment (DoE) organised a two-day cleaning campaign across the island after the tourists were banned. The authorities used drones to identify and remove garbage on the island. Volunteers removed 930 kg of waste in the campaign.

Md Jamir Uddin, Deputy Director of the Cox’s Bazar office of the DoE, told Prothom Alo that a team from the department reached the island on 5 February, and identified the places where waste was lying through multiple drones.

The Department of Environment (DoE) observed a two-day cleaning campaign across the island after the tourists were banned. The authorities used drones to identify and remove garbage on the island. Volunteers removed 930 kg of waste in the two-day campaign
He said the removal of this waste began on 12 February. Nearly 90 per cent of the waste was chips packets, polythene and packets of biscuits. Earlier, plastic waste was removed from various areas including beaches in a joint initiative of a private organisation and the DoE.

The official of DoE added that as tourists were barred and movement of battery-run auto-rickshaw and motorcycle stopped, a layer of snails and oysters had already started to accumulate on at least a 7-8 kilometer stretch of the beach in the southeast and west of the island.

Snails and oysters prevent erosion of the beach and work as bulwark for sand dunes. Earlier, people used to collect snails and oyster from the beach and smuggle them to Myanmar. Furniture and garland are made from snails and oysters.

The DoE declared Saint Martin an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) back in 1999 to protect its biodiversity.

Lastly on 4 January 2023, according to the wildlife (conservation and security) act, the environment ministry declared 1,743 square kilometres of area in the Bay of Bengal adjoining Saint Martin’s island as a reserved area.

Earlier in 2016, ECA management rules were framed under the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995.

Nur Mohammad, 50, a local trader of Saint Martin said locals do not usually walk on beaches without any reason. They do not usually tread in Chheradia or Diarmatha area. But the tourists roam around the island in different vehicles.

The island has several kilometers of pucca road in the middle but going to Diyarmatha and Chheradia requires use of beaches. When vehicles ply on the beaches, various marine animals like snails, oysters and crabs get killed and biodiversity including corals and algae get destroyed.

He further said that many hotels, resorts and cottages have been built in ecologically critical and travel-prohibited areas, including Diyarmatha and Golachipa, on the island. Guests of these hotels have to travel via the beach.

According to him, as there are no tourists, marine life and biodiversity are being protected. Local people are fishing in the sea for a living, some are drying fish, while others are busy cultivating vegetables and watermelons.

Nazir Hossain, member of ward no. 9 of Saint Martin island, told Prothom Alo that green mangroves are growing in over one-acre beaches on the southern part, including Diyarmatha, of the island. The trees are growing fast. Locals are being monitored to ensure that they do not destroy the mangrove.

Saiful Islam, a resident of the southern part of the island, said the whirlwind created by the propellers of tourist ships used to make the blue water of the sea muddy. Water bottles, polythene, and packets of chips used to float in the sea water.

He pointed out that since the ship traffic has stopped, the sea water has now got back to its azure color. Plastic waste is no longer visible in the sea water.

DoE officials said a set of important decisions were taken in a meeting on 2 February to protect Saint Martin’s island. The garbage littered in the island was identified and removed as the first step.

As part of the next step, initiatives such as arranging drinkable water for the local people, preserving biodiversity, taking up power generation projects from waste and rehabilitating unemployed people will be taken, they added.

Abdur Rahim Jihadi, president of the Saint Martin Island Hotel Owners Association, told Prothom Alo that none of over 230 hotels, resorts, and cottages on the island have any environmental clearance.

Ibrahim Khalil, chief executive of the environmental organisation, Youth Environment Society (YES) in Cox’s Bazar, said that the island’s environment has improved by implementing the initiative to limit tourists for the first time. Due to strict monitoring during the travel period (December-January), coral was not collected from the sea.

He further stated that absence of tourists on the beach has created an environment for mother turtles to lay eggs. Red crabs, snails, and oysters have also been bred.​

 

[Saif]

How climate change drives social conflicts

The poor, particularly women and socially marginalised communities, are severely affected in all the climate hotspots.

www.thedailystar.net

How climate change drives social conflicts

Indiscriminate shrimp farming has destructed local ecology, fresh water sources, and common property resources in the coastal villages of southwest Bangladesh, leading to social conflicts in the region. SOURCE: BCAS

The impacts of climate change are visible in all crucial aspects of life, be it agriculture and food security or access to healthcare and human potential to work. In vulnerable regions, climate change, which is rapid and forceful, is aggravating the existing social and economic problems such as extreme poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, social conflicts over resources, and gender inequity. The 2022 Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) asserted that climate change is pushing us into a high-risk-centred world, where the growing impacts of climate change are limiting the adaptive capacity of humans as well as the ecosystems.

The National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) of Bangladesh has identified several climate-induced stresses that are affecting regions, people, their livelihoods, and ecosystems across the country. Traditional occupational groups such as small farmers, fishers, daily wage earners, and people dependent on natural resources are suffering the most. The poor, particularly women and socially marginalised communities, are severely affected in all the climate hotspots; they are highly exposed and sensitive to climate disasters like extreme heat stress during summer, frequent and devastating floods, cyclones, tidal surges, and landslides. They lack adaptive capacity in terms of awareness, motivation, disaster preparedness, and resources to address climate change impacts.

It is evident that many climate-vulnerable people in Bangladesh mainly depend on their wage earnings and livelihoods based on natural resources (such as subsistence agriculture, fishing, and horticulture), which are again very sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, natural resources like forests and wetlands are very often captured and controlled by local influential people. Thus, climate change is increasing deprivation and social conflicts in the existing social systems, where local government institutions are weak and biased towards the power elites. Recent studies suggest that all the climate hotspots in Bangladesh have high levels of poverty, livelihood insecurity, and gender inequity. Many of the poor, especially women, are forced to migrate to the cities in search of livelihood options, where they live in the slums and fringe areas, in degraded social and environmental conditions.

The NETZ Bangladesh, an international development agency, recently conducted an exploratory study to understand the physical causes—like climate-induced stresses—as well as social causes of vulnerability and gender inequity in three climate-affected regions: southwest coastal areas, northwest drought-prone areas, and north-central river basin. The study also explored the nature and types of social conflicts triggered and aggravated by climate change. The surveyed people (covering 400 respondents) in the three study areas agreed on the rise of social conflicts (63 percent) during and after a climate disaster. Social conflicts were found to occur the most in the coastal region (82 percent), compared to the high Barind (61 percent) and the river basin (49 percent) areas. Over 90 percent of the respondents in coastal villages said they frequently face conflicts over accessing fresh water for small agriculture, catching fish in the open water bodies, and accessing grazing lands.

The study findings also reveal that social conflicts increase due to frequent natural disasters, salinity intrusion, high tides (linked to sea level rise) and waterlogging in coastal villages. Conflicts are increasing while collecting drinking water from limited sources of water, as the demand for fresh water is on the rise in climate-affected localities. Public water distribution points (like piped water supply and rainwater harvesting systems) are inadequate compared to the growing needs of the vast number of poor people. The poor are not allowed to send their cattle on the grazing lands. Agricultural lands owned by marginal farmers are often converted into shrimp farms forcefully. These are the main sources of social conflicts in coastal villages. Local rich people and power elites very often win in the fight since they are well-connected to political parties and local government institutions (LGIs).

The existing conflict resolution mechanisms do not protect the interest and rights of poor women, ethnic groups, and marginalised people. There is an urgent need for strengthening alternative and transformative conflict resolution mechanisms, where civil society groups and local partners can play a significant role in empowering the poor, particularly women, to pursue social justice and gender equity. LGIs like union parishads and sectoral agencies in the upazilas should be made more accountable and responsible to the poor, women, and socially excluded groups.

Furthermore, gendered drivers, such as women's lack of mobility and participation, as well the patriarchal norms and values affect the decision-making power of women, girls, and socially disadvantaged groups. Hence, the social capitals of the poor and women, in terms of organisational capacity, cohesiveness and raising collective voice, should be advanced with institutional linkages for locally led solutions, conflict resolution, and climate-resilient livelihoods. LGIs, NGOs, and civil society should promote gender-responsive and pro-poor adaptation and social protection mechanisms for poor women and marginalised groups, which will build resilience of the vulnerable communities and empower them, in order to ensure gender equity as well as a peaceful and just society in the long run. These should be supported by rights-based organisations and their networks.

Dr Dwijen L Mallick is fellow at Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS).​

 

[Saif]

Climate refugees must be protected

A recent survey found that climate refugees are falling victim to modern slavery, both at home and abroad.

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Climate refugees must be protected
The government must effectively tackle slavery suffered by climate migrants

VISUAL: STAR

We are alarmed by the findings of a recent survey that reveal that climate refugees from vulnerable regions across the country are falling victim to various forms of modern slavery, both at home and abroad. The survey, conducted on 648 households across 33 climate-vulnerable villages in Sylhet and Pirojpur districts, found that 92 percent of the internal migrants face at least one type of modern slavery, while over 52 percent endure more than three types. The situation is even more severe for international migrants, with 99 percent experiencing at least one type of modern slavery and 81 percent enduring more than five types. Those surveyed reported experiencing wage withholding, restricted movement, abusive conditions, threats, intimidation, and even physical violence.

Over the last six decades, climate-related disasters have reportedly almost doubled in Bangladesh—from four per year before 1990 to seven per year after—significantly impacting agriculture and livelihoods. Cyclones, river erosion, and saltwater intrusion have forced many families to relocate. The most recent example of climate-related disasters is last year's devastating floods, which affected millions of people. As the government's efforts to rehabilitate them have been largely inadequate, migration has become a common livelihood strategy for them. Sadly, their desperate attempts to survive often lead them to further predicament.

In climate-vulnerable areas such as Pirojpur and Sylhet, the majority of residents report rising temperatures and worsening river erosion, which has led to a surge in both internal and international migration. Since 2011, approximately 84 percent of affected families have relocated to cities like Dhaka, Khulna, and Chattogram in search of work, often in exploitative industries. Additionally, 88 percent have sent their relatives abroad, mainly to Gulf countries, where they have to endure harsh working conditions. Another recent study found that migration driven by debt repayment further worsens the financial conditions of these migrants.

This situation must be handled with urgency. We urge the government to take immediate and effective measures to rehabilitate climate refugees and address the challenges posed by climate-related migration. It is crucial to identify vulnerable communities and implement targeted action plans, including comprehensive social protection programmes and job creation initiatives. Additionally, developing disaster-resilient infrastructure could provide significant support to those most affected by extreme weather events. Addressing the plight of our climate refugees should be a top priority for the government.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to renovate 19 canals to resolve water logging in Dhaka

A master plan will be made to renovate 19 canals for resolving waterlogging in Dhaka, environment and water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Sunday. This plan has been taken to resolve waterlogging in various areas of the metropolis, including Dhanmondi and Malibagh, she added. The a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt to renovate 19 canals to resolve water logging in Dhaka
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Feb 23, 2025 18:54
Updated :
Feb 23, 2025 18:54

A master plan will be made to renovate 19 canals for resolving waterlogging in Dhaka, environment and water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Sunday.

This plan has been taken to resolve waterlogging in various areas of the metropolis, including Dhanmondi and Malibagh, she added.

The adviser said that the work will be taken forward through a monthly action plan. To prevent pollution, owners of multi-story buildings will have to ensure their own sewage management. Canals will be restored, and more trees will be planted on the banks.

She said these while speaking as the chief guest at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Dhaka South City Corporation's Nagar Bhaban.

The meeting discussed waterlogging in the city, restoration of canals and water bodies, and eviction of illegal structures.

The environmental adviser said that in order to eliminate waterlogging, regular excavation and regular water flow measures should be taken along with a long-term plan.

For this, effective coordination and strict monitoring are required among the concerned agencies. The government is committed to keeping canals and water bodies free from encroachment and ensuring proper management, she added.

The meeting, chaired by Local Government Department Secretary Md Nizam Uddin, was attended by representatives of various ministries and agencies, including Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Nazmul Ahsan, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation Mohammad Ejaz, and Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation Md. Shahjahan Miah.

The meeting discussed in detail the ongoing and future plans to eliminate waterlogging in the city and decided to take immediate effective steps.​

 

[Saif]

Final notice issued to 2,046 factories: Operate ETPs or face action

The Department of Environment (DoE) has taken stringent measures to prevent pollution in the rivers surrounding Dhaka, including the Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Turag, and Balu. A total of 2,046 industrial factories in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Narsingdi have been served final notices, instruct

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Final notice issued to 2,046 factories: Operate ETPs or face action
UNB
Published :
Feb 24, 2025 23:01
Updated :
Feb 24, 2025 23:01

The Department of Environment (DoE) has taken stringent measures to prevent pollution in the rivers surrounding Dhaka, including the Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Turag, and Balu.

A total of 2,046 industrial factories in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Narsingdi have been served final notices, instructing them to keep their Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) operational at all times.

As per the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (Amended 2010) and the Environment Conservation Rules, 2023, factories discharging liquid waste are legally required to operate ETPs and, in the case of sewage waste, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

But many factories either fail to install ETPs or do not run them continuously, discharging untreated waste into the rivers.

The notices were issued between 13 February and 22 February 2025, warning factory owners to ensure the uninterrupted operation of their ETPs and comply with environmental regulations.

Failure to adhere to these directives will result in strict legal actions, the DoE warned.​

 

[Saif]

HC orders dismantling of illegal brick kilns nationwide

The High Court has ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed that a report be submitted to it by March 17. The order was issued on Monday by the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

HC orders dismantling of illegal brick kilns nationwide
UNB
Published :
Feb 24, 2025 20:15
Updated :
Feb 24, 2025 20:15

The High Court has ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed that a report be submitted to it by March 17.

The order was issued on Monday by the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after eight officials appeared before the court and submitted written explanations.

Additionally, the Director General of the Department of Environment, along with the Divisional Commissioners of Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barishal, Rangpur, and Mymensingh, have been summoned to explain their failure to take effective action against illegal brick kilns and the use of wood as fuel. They have been instructed to appear in person on March 17 to provide their explanations.

Senior lawyer Manzill Murshid represented the petitioner in the court hearing, while lawyer Fahima Nasrin Munni appeared for the Brick Kiln Owners' Association. Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.

During the hearing, the High Court stated, “We must protect the country’s environment. Our normal lives are increasingly being disrupted. If environmental pollution continues at this rate, none of us will survive.”

Earlier on Monday morning, the Divisional Commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, as well as the Deputy Commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officers of Savar and Dhamrai, appeared before the court in response to a summons regarding the failure to take effective measures against illegal brick kilns. They submitted their written explanations before the court.

Those who have provided written explanations have been exempted from personal appearances, but they have been directed to submit a complete report by March 17.​

 

[Saif]

CORPORATE CLIMATE ACTION: Solution or illusion?

IN THE fight against climate change, corporations are no longer bystanders but major players — with their actions determining the fate of our planet. With their expansive operations and influence, multinational giants exert unparalleled power to shape the planet’s future. While their ambitious...

www.newagebd.net

CORPORATE CLIMATE ACTION: Solution or illusion?
Md Zahurul Al Mamun 26 February, 2025, 00:00

IN THE fight against climate change, corporations are no longer bystanders but major players — with their actions determining the fate of our planet. With their expansive operations and influence, multinational giants exert unparalleled power to shape the planet’s future. While their ambitious net-zero pledges and glossy sustainability reports paint an optimistic picture, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. For companies like Unilever and Coca-Cola, which are celebrated as leaders in corporate sustainability, their efforts frequently exacerbate existing global inequalities, shifting the burden of climate action onto vulnerable nations like Bangladesh. This dynamic, often described as environmental colonialism, raises a critical question: Are we witnessing genuine sustainability efforts, or is this another chapter of corporate greenwashing — one that demands immediate accountability?

Unilever: sustainability or greenwashing?

Unilever, a consumer goods giant with a significant presence in Bangladesh, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2039 and reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Initiatives such as the Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) and a €1 billion investment in the Climate & Nature Fund reflect its commitment to deforestation-free supply chains and sustainable farming practices. However, while the headlines are grand, the ground reality is far more nuanced.

Unilever sources tea and other agricultural products from Bangladesh, often through complex networks of smallholder farmers. While promoting ‘sustainable sourcing’ on a global scale, the company’s practices in Bangladesh have been criticised for placing the burden of meeting sustainability standards disproportionately on these farmers, who often lack the resources and technical support to implement the required changes. This raises a fundamental question: can a profit-driven multinational achieve true sustainability without exacerbating existing inequalities?

Unilever’s operations in Bangladesh have also exacerbated the country’s mounting plastic waste crisis. Bangladesh generates over 800,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually, of which only 31 per cent is recycled. A significant portion of this waste consists of single-use packaging associated with FMCG—a category dominated by Unilever. While Unilever has launched recycling initiatives, these programs remain limited in scale and effectiveness. In a nation with inadequate waste management infrastructure, much of this plastic packaging associated with Unilever’s products ends up in landfills, waterways, and drainage systems, worsening environmental pollution and public health risks.

Unilever’s sustainability narrative has not gone unchallenged. In 2021, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the environmental claims of several multinational corporations, including Unilever, questioning whether their marketing practices were misleading consumers about the true environmental impact of their products. Critics argue that while Unilever emphasises ambitious global targets, these often obscure the local realities of its operations, where the environmental and social costs of sustainability efforts fall disproportionately on marginalised communities. These concerns highlight a broader doubt about corporate transparency in sustainability efforts.

Coca-Cola: a plastic paradox

THE greenwashing is even more pronounced in the case of Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company. Coca-Cola has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce absolute GHG emissions by 25 per cent by 2030. It has also committed to using 100 per cent renewable electricity and incorporating at least 50 per cent recycled content in its packaging by 2030. While Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability is grand, on-the-ground realities paint a starkly different picture.

In Bangladesh, where single-use plastics are a growing environmental crisis due to inadequate waste collection and recycling infrastructure, Coca-Cola’s high volume of single-use plastic bottles exacerbates the problem. According to the Environment and Social Development Organisation’s Brand Audit 2022, Coca-Cola has been the leading contributor to single-use plastic pollution in Bangladesh for the fifth consecutive year, accounting for 20.78 per cent of the total plastic waste collected during the audit. This overwhelming waste clogs drainage systems exacerbate flooding during monsoons, pollute rivers and canals, and wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems, creating severe environmental and public health challenges.

In response to mounting criticism, Coca-Cola has piloted recycling projects in Bangladesh, partnering with SR Asia and Cordaid Bangladesh to collect and recycle PET bottles in collaboration with Dhaka South and North City Corporations. However, these efforts only address a fraction of the plastic waste Coca-Cola generates annually. Furthermore, the focus on recycling shifts responsibility from the producer to the consumer, perpetuating what researchers call the ‘plastic paradox.’ And a more alarming fact: in December 2024, Coca-Cola dropped its reuse targets and reduced its plastic recycling goals, further undermining its global sustainability commitments. So, the question remains: how can a company whose business model is predicated on high-volume plastic consumption genuinely contribute to a sustainable future, especially in countries with limited waste management capacity?

Coca-Cola’s global credibility has also been challenged. In 2021, a lawsuit filed in Washington DC accused the company of misleading consumers about the recyclability of its plastic bottles, exposing inconsistencies between its sustainability claims and actual practices. These allegations have widened the credibility gap and highlighted the systemic challenges of aligning high-consumption business models with true sustainability. The plastic paradox — the tension between high-consumption models and sustainability goals—remains unresolved.

Environmental colonialism

ONE of the most troubling aspects of corporate climate action is the outsourcing of environmental costs to developing nations. As companies in the Global North race to achieve net-zero emissions, the environmental and economic burdens of these goals are often passed down to the Global South. This dynamic incarnates modern environmental colonialism, where wealthy nations and corporations exploit the resources of poorer countries and reap the benefits of a ‘green’ image while leaving them to bear the brunt of environmental degradation.

For Bangladesh, this reality is already unfolding. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Bangladesh faces devastating climate impacts, compounded by the inequities embedded in corporate sustainability practices. Achieving its ambitious climate goals under the Paris Agreement requires substantial financial and technical support, which domestic resources alone cannot provide. If multinational corporations truly seek to support Bangladesh’s climate resilience, they must move beyond superficial commitments. Long-term partnerships rooted in local knowledge and capacity building are essential to ensure that corporate initiatives lead to meaningful change rather than perpetuating existing inequalities.

Solution or illusion?

THE climate crisis demands transformative corporate action, not superficial pledges or public relations exercises. Multinational corporations have the power to drive meaningful change, but only if they confront the systemic injustices embedded in their supply chains and business models. Addressing the climate crisis is not just about reducing emissions or recycling a few bottles — it requires dismantling the structures that allow wealthy nations and corporations to benefit at the expense of vulnerable communities in the Global South.

Corporate climate action must be held to account for its full spectrum of environmental and social impacts. Transparency, accountability, and equitable partnerships are non-negotiable. Anything less is not just inadequate — it is a betrayal of the very principles of sustainability and justice.

Md Zahurul Al Mamun is a climate change researcher and analyst.​

 

[Saif]

Honking a major concern on country's campuses: Rizwana

Sound pollution caused by excessive honking is a major issue on the country's university campuses, said Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today

www.thedailystar.net

Honking a major concern on country's campuses: Rizwana

Photo: Collected

Sound pollution caused by excessive honking is a major issue on the country's university campuses, said Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today.

The adviser made the remark during the inauguration ceremony of the "Chattogram Research and Innovation Fair 2025 on Chittagong University campus. Jamal Nazrul Islam Research Center for Mathematics and Physical Sciences organised the event.

"Many people in the country are unaware that honking is both harmful to human health and illegal. Some intentionally use horns excessively. If awareness can be spread among the public, it may help reduce sound pollution," she said.

Highlighting the contribution of country's farmers, Rizwana pointed out that research isn't limited to teachers.

Many farmers in Bangladesh are also engaged in research and have already developed new varieties using traditional methods, she said.

She emphasised that the most crucial aspect of research is objectivity. If research is conducted within a government institution, the results should not be manipulated to fit the institution's preferences.

The research fair saw participation from over 100 schools, colleges, and university departments, along with research laboratories and institutes from within and beyond the Chattogram Division.

More than 190 stalls showcased research works and contributions from the past year.

CU Vice-Chancellor DR Muhammad Yeahia Akhter stressed on the importance of reforming the education systems, saying neglecting this sector is not an option as it is considered as the backbone of a nation.

The VC urged the government to take steps -- whether by forming a commission or through other means -- to make education student-friendly and research-oriented.

CU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Kamal Uddin, Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Dr Al-Amin, Dr Yasser Khan, a google award-winning researcher and teacher of the University of Southern California, were present at the event.​

 

[Saif]

CO2 mineralisation can help curb pollution in Bangladesh

Integrating CO2 mineralisation into its industrial zones could unlock both environmental and financial rewards for the country.

www.thedailystar.net

CO2 mineralisation can help curb pollution in Bangladesh

Once a vital lifeline for Dhaka, the Buriganga River now faces severe pollution from chemical waste, medical disposal, and plastic debris. FILE PHOTO: STAR

Bangladesh's industrial boom has propelled economic growth, but at what cost? Rivers that once sustained communities, such as the Buriganga and Shitalakkhya, are now some of the most polluted in the country. Industrial waste, textile dye effluents, heavy metals, and untreated sewage have turned these rivers into toxic cesspools, posing serious threats to public health and biodiversity. The Buriganga alone absorbs 21,600 cubic metres of toxic waste daily, mainly from tanneries, textile mills, and chemical factories, according to a study presented at the IICSD conference in 2015. With no robust wastewater treatment infrastructure, the challenge of industrial pollution looms large. However, an emerging technology called CO2 mineralisation offers a game-changing solution that not only captures industrial CO2 emissions but also neutralises harmful contaminants before they reach our lives.

CO2 mineralisation is a form of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) that converts captured CO2 into stable carbonates through reactions with alkaline industrial byproducts like cement kiln dust, steel slag, and fly ash. This process permanently stores CO2 in solid form, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere, while also neutralising harmful contaminants in industrial wastewater. The result is a dual benefit: reducing emissions and mitigating water pollution.

Globally, companies like Holcim, CarbonCure, and Carbon Clean are pioneering large-scale CO2 mineralisation projects. These initiatives have demonstrated that the technology is not only effective, but also economically viable. Bangladesh has already explored carbon credit markets, selling 2.53 million carbon credits worth $16.25 million since 2006. Integrating CO2 mineralisation into its industrial zones could unlock both environmental and financial rewards for the country.

The textile and tannery industries, which drive much of Bangladesh's economy, are also among the biggest sources of pollution. In areas like Hazaribagh and Savar in Dhaka, leather processing releases highly toxic substances, including chromium, sulphides, and acids, directly into the Buriganga River. CO2 mineralisation can neutralise these hazardous chemicals by introducing CO2-reactive alkaline materials that convert them into non-leachable, harmless compounds, preventing further contamination. A similar approach can be applied to wastewater from textile dyeing, which is often laden with sulphates, phosphates, and heavy metals. Through CO2-induced precipitation, these toxic substances can be removed before they are discharged, significantly reducing water pollution. This aligns with successful global initiatives like CarbonCure's concrete technology, which injects CO2 into concrete mixtures to enhance durability while reducing emissions.

CO2 mineralisation not only cleans wastewater but also repurposes industrial waste into valuable materials. Bangladesh's cement and steel factories generate large amounts of slag, fly ash, and kiln dust, all of which can store CO2 permanently. Instead of accumulating hazardous waste, these materials can be converted into carbonate-rich products, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials. This approach is used in Canada, where captured CO2 is infused into concrete, strengthening the materials while permanently sequestering carbon. Adopting this method in Bangladesh could significantly reduce the cement industry's carbon footprint and address the country's growing industrial waste problem.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding CO2 mineralisation is its high initial cost. However, Bangladesh can offset these costs by leveraging its carbon credit market, which has already shown success in renewable energy projects. Incorporating CO2 mineralisation into its industries could generate millions of dollars annually from carbon offset sales under mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Additionally, international climate finance, including grants from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and loans from the World Bank, could provide the funding necessary for pilot projects and full-scale implementation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could also facilitate financing the transition. Beyond financial incentives, repurposing industrial byproducts into construction-grade materials could create new revenue streams for businesses, reduce dependency on imported building materials, and promote sustainable infrastructure development.

The environmental and social benefits of CO2 mineralisation are equally compelling. Restoring cleaner rivers would improve public health by reducing exposure to toxic pollutants. Fishermen, farmers, and communities that rely on these waterways would regain access to cleaner water sources, improving livelihoods. The reduced carbon footprint of major industries would contribute to Bangladesh's climate commitments, helping the country emerge as a leader in sustainable industrial practices.

Unfortunately, despite its enormous potential, CO2 mineralisation in Bangladesh faces several obstacles. The high initial investment required for implementation, coupled with a lack of supportive policy frameworks, hinders its adoption. Additionally, many industries remain unaware of the economic and environmental benefits of this technology, creating a gap in awareness and willingness to invest. However, the landscape is shifting. The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) and international initiatives like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) are potential sources of financing that could help bridge the cost gap. Furthermore, the growing global interest in carbon trading markets could provide the financial incentives needed to encourage industries to integrate CO2 mineralisation into their waste management strategies. Countries like Norway and the Netherlands have already established carbon trading programmes, proving that emissions reductions can be monetised. If Bangladesh follows a similar path, it could turn CO2 reduction into an economic asset while simultaneously improving its environmental footprint.

Bangladesh's industrial success does not have to come at the expense of environmental health. CO2 mineralisation offers a revolutionary approach to transform pollution into progress, providing a pathway to cleaner rivers, reduced carbon emissions, and new economic opportunities. Technology exists and funding mechanisms are within reach. The only question that remains is: how soon will Bangladesh take action?

Akash Talapatra is a PhD student at Virginia Tech in Virginia, US.​

 

[Saif]

Protecting arable lands in a land-scarce country

In a land-scarce country like Bangladesh, the steady loss of arable land remains a pressing concern, often posing significant challenges to achieving various developmental goals. A key issue is the uncertainty surrounding the actual rate at which agricultural land is diminishing. Conflicting report

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Protecting arable lands in a land-scarce country
Wasi Ahmed
Published :
Mar 04, 2025 23:04
Updated :
Mar 04, 2025 23:04

In a land-scarce country like Bangladesh, the steady loss of arable land remains a pressing concern, often posing significant challenges to achieving various developmental goals. A key issue is the uncertainty surrounding the actual rate at which agricultural land is diminishing. Conflicting reports and, at times, exaggerated estimates create confusion, making it difficult to ascertain fundamental details-such as the precise extent of land currently under cultivation, the portion allocated for industrial use, and the areas absorbed by expanding human settlements.

Such information is indispensable for policymakers and urban planners, enabling them to make informed decisions on a range of issues, many of which extend beyond agriculture and food production. Effective land-use planning is essential not only for ensuring food security but also for maintaining ecological balance, optimising industrial expansion and addressing the housing needs of a growing population. Therefore, establishing a comprehensive and transparent land monitoring system-leveraging modern technology such as satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and digital land registries-is imperative. Only with accurate, up-to-date information can the nation strike a sustainable balance between development imperatives and the protection of its vital agricultural resources.

Studies conducted in the past revealed that the country was losing around 1.0 per cent of its agricultural land annually. According to an agricultural census conducted in 1983-84, the country's total agricultural land was estimated at 9.2 million hectares. A subsequent study done in 1996 showed a considerable decrease in farm lands amounting to 8.2 million hectares. This went to show the annual loss at 1.0 per cent. But findings of a study conducted few years ago by the country's lead NGO BRAC revealed a somewhat relieving picture. Between 1983 and 2008, the study says, decrease in cultivable land was to the tune of an annual rate of 0.3 per cent. A subsequent study showed the annual rate of decrease at 0.4 per cent between 2010 to 2020.

While a database of the size of agricultural lands is crucial, there is also the need for accurate data about the reclaimed lands that the government has been announcing for some time now but not providing precise information as to their size.

In recent times there is an apparent note of complacency due to bumper harvests of paddy, but the matter of food security, anticipated as a result of increased production of the staple food, does not seem to hold ground as decrease in farm lands is accompanied by a considerable decrease in the number of rural population engaged in agro profession.

Now, while credible data is important, equally important it is to know the reasons behind the losses. The reasons are not many, but how these impact the loss and the measures needed to check are matters that require urgent attention from the concerned quarters. Offsetting the losses, to the maximum extent possible, through adoption of a combination of policies and actions could be the right way to address the situation.

It is quite clear that at the root of the loss, the number one factor is the increased demand for land as a result of an increasing population. More and more lands are required for raising homesteads, and the requirement is met mostly by agricultural lands. As per 2001 population census, the total number of homesteads in the country was 24.85 million which rose to 28.66 million as per 2018 agricultural census - at a growth rate of more than 15 per cent.

Similar is the case with the requirements of roads that come with increased population and decrease in agricultural lands. Coupled with it is the recurrence of river erosion that takes its toll on farm lands. As per estimates of the Centre for Geographic Information Services (CGIS), river erosion costs 1,600 hectares of agricultural land every year. Besides these, the menace of brick fields coming up mostly on farm lands has been a cause for serious concern for quite some time.

Looking at the overall picture, it appears that loss of farm lands could have been partly protected had there been a legal bar on the use of agricultural lands for purposes other than cultivation. Opinions expressed many a time by concerned quarters in the past to bring some legal instrument in force so that agricultural lands could be protected have gone unheeded.

While the loss of farm land is an issue of serious magnitude, there is also the need to examine a number of allied matters that need important findings by way of intensive research. For example, the need to examine economic returns of farm lands being used for non-agricultural purposes is one such. There is thus the need for research not just to update the available farm lands including those being reportedly reclaimed, but also to disseminate findings on a host of inter-related matters to facilitate macro planning.

It is here that the need for a comprehensive master plan becomes crucial-one that can identify the problems and suggest measures to address them as well as find ways to utilise arable lands in the most efficient manner.​

 

[Saif]

Elephant trapped in mud rescued after 22 hours

The rescue operation, which took place around 5:00pm yesterday, was conducted by the Forest Department with the help of around 35 villagers

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Elephant trapped in mud rescued after 22 hours

Photo: Collected

An elephant that got stuck in the mud in the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary in Banshkhali upazila was rescued after 22 hours.

The rescue operation, which took place around 5:00pm yesterday, was conducted by the Forest Department with the help of around 35 villagers.

Anisuzzaman Sheikh, ranger of the Jaldee Range of the Forest Department, told The Daily Star that they were informed about the trapped elephant around 7:00pm on Wednesday.

"We began rescue operations around 8:00am today [Thursday]," he said.

The female elephant is around 40 years old.

Anisuzzaman said after the rescue, the elephant was given saline water to help rehydrate.

"We have requested veterinarians from the Dulahazara Safari Park to treat the elephant," he added.​

 

[Saif]

No alternative to restore Dhaka canals: Rizwana

She said this while visiting Baunia canal at Mirpur and Khidir canal at Uttara.

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No alternative to restore Dhaka canals: Rizwana

Photo: Helemul Alam

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said there is no alternative to excavating the canals to solve Dhaka's waterlogging issues and restoration of water flow in the canals is a must.

During a visit in Baunia canal at Mirpur and Khidir canal at Uttara, she said that preserving these canals is essential to maintaining the city's biodiversity.

She also said, "Dhaka North City Corporation has already begun excavating six canals, and by the end of this year, a total of 19 canals will be restored. This initiative will not only prevent flooding but also help replenish the groundwater level."

DNCC administrator Mohammad Azaz said, "We have taken initiatives to recover and excavate canals, alongside eviction drives to remove illegal encroachments. The progress of these development activities is already visible. Additionally, to prevent water pollution, we are working to disconnect untreated sewage lines from buildings."

He said they have met leaders from Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara societies, instructing them to install ETPs (Effluent Treatment Plants) in every building within a short timeframe.

Meanwhile, DNCC and DSCC have launched a restoration programme for 19 canals. The first phase, which started on February 2 involves restoring six canals -- four in DNCC (Baunia, Karail, Rupnagar, and Begunbari) and two in DSCC (Manda and Kalunagar).

The programme includes boundary demarcation, canal cleaning, bank protection, and the development of a blue network to enhance water flow and connectivity across the city.​

 

[Saif]

Don’t let river grabbers contest polls

Rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission requesting it to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO), incorporating a provision to disqualify the river polluters and encroachers from elections.

www.thedailystar.net

Don’t let river grabbers contest polls
HRPB urges EC to amend RPO

Rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission requesting it to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO), incorporating a provision to disqualify the river polluters and encroachers from elections.

A delegation of HRPB led by its president Advocate Manzill Murshid placed the memorandum to the EC at its office.

Earlier, the High Court in 2016 ordered a provision in this regard.

The Supreme Court also suggested that the grabbers and polluters should be disqualified from contesting the elections.

Despite the suggestions, no law has been formulated in this regard, said HRPB.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

This is early morning in India and I am getting ready to host a tree plantation program our township where I have planted over 9500 trees including Miyawaki forests. We have about 85 varieties of tree. Township has almost become a bird sanctuary. One can hear bird sound through out the day.

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh must switch to hollow blocks to reduce pollution

Clay bricks cost Tk 12 per piece. A hollow block, which is four times larger than a clay brick, is priced at Tk 50.

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Bangladesh must switch to hollow blocks to reduce pollution
Says Concord Group Managing Director Shahriar Kamal

View attachment 13509

Clay bricks cost Tk 12 per piece. A hollow block, which is four times larger than a clay brick, is priced at Tk 50.

This price difference suggests a competitive edge for clay bricks in the construction market.

But the true cost of traditional bricks extends far beyond their purchase price.

Overlooked factors include Dhaka's frequent ranking as one of the world's most polluted cities. This severe air pollution, largely caused by brick kilns, is responsible for a tragically shortened lifespan for many people.

"This cannot continue," said Shahriar Kamal, managing director of the construction conglomerate Concord Group, in an interview with The Daily Star. "To reduce pollution, we need to switch to green alternatives as soon as possible."

Kamal's firm has been producing concrete and hollow blocks since 1998.

They built the 17-acre Lake City Concord township in Dhaka entirely without using a single clay brick. This township comprises 14 buildings, each rising to 16 storeys.

Given the longstanding reliance on clay bricks in the local construction sector, questions naturally arise regarding the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and urgency of transitioning to hollow blocks.

Traditional brick kilns extract clay by stripping topsoil from fertile lands, resulting in an annual loss of around 1 percent of the country's arable land.

This practice not only devastates agricultural productivity but also involves the burning of vast amounts of coal and wood, releasing harmful particulates and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

"The process is unsustainable," said Kamal. "As construction demand increases each year, the environmental toll intensifies."

In contrast, hollow blocks are manufactured using a more sustainable approach. They are produced with materials such as fly ash, cement, and other industrial by-products. This process does not require burning, as the blocks are simply dried.

According to Kamal, hollow blocks are lighter but have superior strength. Therefore, they are suitable for construction in earthquake-prone regions like Bangladesh.

"Buildings constructed with hollow blocks are much lighter than those built with traditional bricks," he explained. "This reduced weight offers an advantage during earthquakes, minimising the risk of collapse and subsequent casualties."

According to the Managing Director of Concord Group, although hollow blocks offer many advantages, the adoption rate of eco-friendly bricks remains low. Only 5-8 percent of bricks currently in use are eco-friendly.

For the slow shift, he said a lack of awareness among builders, insufficient training for construction workers in the use of these blocks, and a strong entrenched preference for traditional bricks are responsible.

"Many workers are not familiar with how to work with these blocks," said Kamal. "For example, traditional bricks require soaking before use, whereas hollow blocks are installed dry."

"We arranged training for the workers several times," he said, "but this effort needs to be scaled up with government support to ensure nationwide adoption."

Kamal acknowledged that cost is another barrier to the widespread adoption of eco-friendly bricks.

"While eco-friendly bricks may have a slightly higher initial cost compared to traditional bricks, they offer long-term savings," he commented. "Proper planning and mindful design can reduce overall construction costs by about 15 percent."

In 2020, the government announced a policy to replace traditional bricks with eco-friendly blocks in all public projects. This policy aimed to achieve a 10 percent adoption rate in fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, with a gradual phasing out of clay bricks by FY25.

However, slack monitoring and enforcement have hindered progress towards these ambitious goals.

"Implementation is key," Kamal stressed. "We need strong inter-ministerial coordination, led by the Ministry of Environment, to oversee the implementation of these policies. Regulatory bodies like Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) must also play a crucial role by enforcing these targets in private-sector construction projects."

He pointed to successful examples from countries like China and India, where the adoption of eco-friendly bricks has been accelerated through a combination of financial incentives, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns.

Kamal said their facilities have the capacity to manufacture 200,000 eco-friendly bricks, blocks, and tiles every eight hours. But, without enough demand, they cannot operate at full capacity.

He called for a range of policy measures to stimulate demand, including financial incentives for manufacturers of eco-friendly building materials and penalties on polluting industries to ensure accountability.

"The polluters must pay," he commented.

"This isn't just about bricks," he said. "It's about rethinking how we build our cities and protect our people. Change is difficult, but it is necessary — and it begins with each of us."

Currently, the size of the traditional brick industry is around Tk 9,000 crore, while the concrete block market is only at Tk 200 crore.

Bangladesh produces an estimated 2,300 crore bricks annually. Concrete blocks currently account for a relatively small share of this market, constituting roughly 6-7 percent of the total.

There are 164 registered factories producing concrete blocks, with an annual production capacity of 214 crore blocks. However, considering the unregistered factories, the total number is more than 250.

Kamal said the concrete block market is projected to capture up to 50 percent of the market share by 2030, due mainly to government policies and a steadily increasing demand for sustainable building materials.

He said large-scale factories have heavily invested in automated production units, often imported from China, with typical investments ranging from Tk 30-Tk 50 crore. Mid-sized factories have also invested in modernising their production lines, with typical investments ranging from Tk 5-Tk 6 crore.

Major industry players, including Concord, Mir Group, BTI, and Meghna, currently collectively control nearly 20 percent of the hollow block market.​

For Low-rise structural construction (and high-rise non-structural curtain wall usage in lieu of drywall/gypsum-board sheet), Bangladesh needs to switch to Aircrete (AAC) blocks now which is quiet a bit lighter, almost half as much. As Bangladesh high-rises are increasingly built of steel beams nowadays instead of RCC, this could alleviate any settling problems in the foundation.

Plus Aircrete (AAC) blocks and pre-fab walls are by nature far better insulators, saving on heating or cooling energy, setting superior ecological precedent than current construction materials used in South Asia.

Aircrete blocks are significantly lighter than regular concrete blocks, with densities typically ranging from 460 to 730 kg/m³, while regular dense concrete blocks are much heavier (By spec should have a minimum block-density of around 1500 kg/m³). This reduced weight makes Aircrete blocks much easier to handle and install, contributing to lower labor costs and faster construction times.

Aerated concrete (AAC) or ‘Aircrete’ blocks are the lightest of the family of concrete blocks. Aerated blocks are distinguished by their capacity to perform a dual structural / insulation function. Though limited to structural applications in low-rise construction and partitions as well as a component of curtain walling in higher buildings, aerated blocks can perform a similar range of functions as dense and lightweight blocks.

Here is more info,

https://www.aircrete.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Engine-Only-model-supplies-the-heart-of-an-AAC-panel-plant-for-the-South-East-Asia-Markets.pdf

And a video. Granted Western usage but could be adapted to South Asian situation.

 

[Saif]

A major quake striking BD not a remote possibility

The frequent low-intensity tremors felt in various parts of Bangladesh due to earthquakes in neighbouring countries serve as a grim reminder of the country's seismic vulnerability. Over the past 10 days, Bangladesh has experienced four earthquakes. The most recent one, on Wednesday, had its epicent

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

A major quake striking BD not a remote possibility
Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Mar 08, 2025 22:53
Updated :
Mar 08, 2025 23:06
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The frequent low-intensity tremors felt in various parts of Bangladesh due to earthquakes in neighbouring countries serve as a grim reminder of the country's seismic vulnerability. Over the past 10 days, Bangladesh has experienced four earthquakes. The most recent one, on Wednesday, had its epicentre approximately 449 kilometres from Dhaka in the border region between India and Myanmar. Despite the distance, it sent a moderate shockwave through Dhaka, registering a magnitude of 5.6 on the Richter scale.

The frequency of low to moderate-intensity earthquakes has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the Meteorological Department, 28 earthquakes were recorded in Bangladesh and nearby regions in 2017. This number rose to 41 in 2023 and further increased to 54 last year, marking the highest number in eight years.

Even though tremors originating from nearby countries may not always directly and severely impact the country, it does not mean Bangladesh is at a safe distance or that earthquakes pose no real threat. In reality, Bangladesh lies in an active earthquake zone, situated near the meeting points of three major tectonic plates and four active seismic sources in the Bay of Bengal, which have the potential to generate tremors exceeding 7.0 in magnitude. Experts warn that the series of small quakes frequently shaking Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chittagong could be precursors to a devastating seismic event.

Indeed, seismologists have long warned that a powerful earthquake is not a matter of 'if' but 'when.' The fact that Bangladesh has not experienced a major tremor in the past two hundred years only increases the likelihood of a catastrophic event. The last major earthquake to impact the region was the 1897 Great Indian Earthquake of the Shillong Plateau, which jolted the northeastern part of the country with a magnitude of 8.7.

An earthquake often proves more devastating than other natural calamities because, unlike storms, floods, and droughts, it cannot be predicted with precision. When prevention is impossible, the focus must shift to damage limitation, immediate rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. But is Bangladesh prepared?

While the country has experience in dealing with floods and cyclones, it lacks the capacity to handle a major earthquake. In past incidents, when multi-storied structures collapsed for various reasons, the fire service took an inordinately long time to clear the rubble. Even in cases of fire outbreaks, the fire department struggles to bring blazes under control swiftly. This highlights the lack of advanced equipment and expertise required for clearing debris, cutting through concrete, and rescuing trapped victims. A key priority, therefore, should be to equip the Fire Service and Civil Defence, along with other emergency response organisations, with the necessary resources.

A major earthquake presents the grim prospect of a human catastrophe in Bangladesh, primarily due to the prevalence of a substantial number of unsafe buildings. An estimate suggests that 72,000 out of 2.1 million structures in Dhaka are highly unstable. However, no significant measures have been taken to demolish these buildings or relocate and rehabilitate their residents. Following the Rana Plaza collapse, BUET proposed a comprehensive initiative to classify Dhaka's buildings based on earthquake resistance. Under this plan, high-risk buildings were to be marked red, moderate-risk structures yellow, and earthquake-resistant buildings green. However, this crucial assessment remains incomplete for most structures. The authorities, therefore, must prioritise identifying high-risk buildings, demolishing unsafe structures, and reinforcing weaker ones.

Earthquake preparedness demands massive preparation, investment in advanced rescue equipment, comprehensive emergency response training and raising public awareness. Without immediate and decisive action, a catastrophic loss of life remains an imminent threat.​

 

[Saif]

Choking on apathy and neglect

Urgent actions needed to tackle our air pollution crisis

www.thedailystar.net

Choking on apathy and neglect
Urgent actions needed to tackle our air pollution crisis

VISUAL: STAR

It is disappointing that Bangladesh and the landlocked nation Chad have been ranked as the world's most polluted countries in 2024, with their average smog levels exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 15 times, according to Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. It is little wonder, then, that air pollution causes 102,456 deaths in Bangladesh every year, as the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) recently estimated. Other studies over the years have painted a similarly grim picture. These findings should spur frantic efforts to reverse this trend. The question is, why don't they?

The CREA study highlighted that young children are particularly vulnerable, with 5,258 annual deaths from PM2.5-related lower respiratory infections. It estimated that controlling air pollution could prevent 5,254 child deaths each year and avert 29,920 deaths from heart disease, 23,075 from strokes, 20,976 from COPD, 9,720 from pneumonia, and 3,063 from lung cancer. Additionally, pollution-related illnesses lead to 669,000 emergency hospital visits annually and 263 million lost workdays, significantly harming the economy. Similarly, a World Bank report estimated air pollution caused between 78,145 and 88,229 deaths in Bangladesh in 2019. Another study found it shortens the average Bangladeshi's life expectancy by 6.8 years. Despite these staggering consequences, successive governments have taken minimal action. Vehicle pollution remains high, industrial and power plant emissions go largely unregulated, and construction activities and waste burning continue unchecked.

The persistently high pollution levels highlight not only a lack of ambition in policymaking but also a failure to enforce existing regulations. The absence of regular monitoring mechanisms to uphold air quality standards is another major shortcoming. In spite of these failures, the responsible authorities are never held accountable. This must change. Despite concerns caused by the recent US decision to end a programme that many countries relied on for air quality data, the government must take responsibility for developing its own robust air quality monitoring and improvement systems. Investing in its own air quality monitoring infrastructure would be a crucial first step.

Bangladesh also needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle the deteriorating air quality. Stricter enforcement of emission regulations for industries and vehicles is essential. Brick kilns and factories—both major polluters—must be required to use modern filtration systems, while large-scale afforestation and urban greening initiatives should be undertaken to help absorb pollutants. Construction activities should also be regulated with dust-control measures, and waste burning should be strictly prohibited. Ultimately, the government and other stakeholders must realise that without urgent, science-backed intervention, the country risks an even graver public health and economic crisis in the coming days.​

 

[Saif]

Sink-based solutions can ease Chattogram's waterlogging

Sustainable solutions is needed for Chattogram's waterlogging problem.

www.thedailystar.net

Sink-based solutions can ease Chattogram's waterlogging

Between 1989 and 2011, approximately 15 percent of the exposed land in the Sholakbahar ward of the city was converted into various types of built-up areas, increasing the risk of waterlogging. FILE PHOTO: PALASH KHAN

Waterlogging in our port city in recent years has caused enormous suffering and economic loss. The government of Bangladesh has recently initiated efforts to find sustainable solutions to this problem. This hydro-climatic disaster occurs when the amount of source water exceeds what the sinks can accommodate. A better understanding of the sources and sinks of water will foster sustainable solutions to this issue.

Waterlogging primarily occurs during the monsoon season, characterised by heavy rainfall. A practical solution entails—(i) identifying the sinks and (ii) enhancing their capacity to ensure that the volume of water from the source does not surpass it. Furthermore, we must tackle the factors that diminish the capacity of sinks, such as landfilling, the removal of hills, and eutrophication, among others.

Inland water bodies

The most easily accessible water sink is the inland water bodies, which include ponds, lakes, canals, and drainage networks. To get a rapid solution to waterlogging, we must increase the water-retention capacity of these inland water bodies. Dredging is a proven method to enhance the volume of water that reservoirs can hold. Additionally, dredging boosts interactions between lake water and groundwater. However, it is vital to manage the dredged materials properly, as mismanagement can cause them to return to the water bodies shortly thereafter.

During heavy rainfall on certain days in the rainy season, a significant volume of water rapidly accumulates on the surface. This extra water necessitates enhanced drainage systems to keep the city free from flooding. Expanding and deepening the canals could increase their capacity to handle excess water. Furthermore, we could construct new lakes and drainage systems within the city, particularly in the areas most affected; this approach could significantly enhance the water retention capacity.

Alongside enhancing the capacity of the sinks, it is equally crucial to mitigate factors that restrict the volume of sinks—(i) landfilling in any form must cease immediately; (ii) hill-cutting should be halted as it generates a large volume of clastic sediment, much of it ends up at the bottom of inland water bodies; (iii) strict solid waste management must be enforced to prevent any forms of solid waste, such as non-degradable plastics and household materials, from entering the drainage system as solid waste can restrict flow velocity and reduce the water retention capacity of reservoirs; and (iv) chemical and bio-waste from domestic and industrial sources should be segregated and disposed of separately since inland water bodies gradually lose volume due to harmful algal blooms and eutrophication, exacerbated by increased nutrient levels from such waste.

The groundwater sink

Groundwater is a crucial destination for rainwater through the process of infiltration. Unfortunately, this aspect is often overlooked when planning to eliminate waterlogging. The reduction of open land restricts the infiltration process. Consequently, a substantial volume of water overflows that should ideally transfer into the groundwater; an increase in surface water heightens the likelihood of waterlogging. A research paper published by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Chittagong finds that between 1989 and 2011, approximately 15 percent of the exposed land in the Sholakbahar ward of the city was converted into various types of built-up areas. The situation is presumably similar in other wards of the city corporation. Reducing such a significant amount of open space presents a serious risk of waterlogging.

Increasing the amount of open space is a potential measure to ensure accelerated infiltration. Additionally, we could construct tiny artificial ponds throughout the city, designed with coarser rocks at the bottom, as fine-grained particles limit infiltration. The ponds need not be large; they could be situated along the streets in a manner that also contributes to the city's beautification. Furthermore, we can plan to establish recharge wells and soak pits to enhance infiltration into the groundwater.

Impermeable streets also impede groundwater recharge. Permeable city roads can be constructed to facilitate the percolation of more water from the lane into the ground.

By implementing the aforementioned sink-based solutions, the city's waterlogging problems can be eased. In addition to tackling waterlogging, these measures will enhance functional hydrology and foster a clean aquatic environment that aligns with biodiversity.

Mohib Billah is doctoral researcher in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Turku in Finland.​

 

[Saif]

Over 600 trees felled at Dinjapur’s Karai Beel; case filed

A case has been filed following the felling of over 600 fruit-bearing and timber trees at Karai Beel, a once-thriving natural sanctuary renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty, in Dinajpur’s Biral upazila

www.thedailystar.net

Over 600 trees felled at Dinjapur’s Karai Beel; case filed

Photo: Kongkon Karmaker

A case has been filed following the felling of over 600 fruit-bearing and timber trees at Karai Beel, a once-thriving natural sanctuary renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty, in Dinajpur's Biral upazila.

The beel is situated alongside Ramsagar and Sukhsagar, two of Dinajpur's largest manmade waterbodies. Karai Beel has long been a vital ecological and agricultural resource.

The large-scale tree felling, allegedly carried out by leaders of the Biral Muktijoddha Poultry and Livestock Cooperative Society, has raised serious concerns among local residents and environmental activists.

Yesterday, locals seized the felled trees and filed a case against two named individuals and 10-12 unidentified persons for illegal logging.

According to the First Information Report, the primary suspects in the case are Aibur Rahman 68, of Biral upazila and Jobaidur Rahman 55, a timber trader from West Ramnagar Gobrapara under Dinajpur Sadar upazila and the district president of Matsyajibi Dal.

Photo: Kongkon Karmaker

Karai Beel spans 56.10 acres in Shankarpur Mouza and is classified as state property.

On Monday afternoon, the accused, along with several others, were seen cutting trees around the beel and transporting them using tractors.

Receiving information, the union land official rushed to the scene and seized the felled trees.

However, one tractor carrying 55 mango trees had already been moved elsewhere.

Authorities managed to confiscate an additional 170 mango trees, two jackfruit trees, and 1,489 cubic feet of firewood before further transportation.

Forest officials confirmed that the logging was done without obtaining prior authorisation.

"As per regulations, any tree felling must be reported to the local Forest Department. However, we were not informed about the cutting of Karai Beel's trees," said Mohsin Ali, beat officer of the Forest Department.

Following notification from the upazila administration, forest officials seized the logs and transported them to the local police station for further investigation.

Jobaidur Rahman, one of the accused, claimed to have legally purchased the trees through a tender process for Tk 4.1 lakh, with the amount deposited in Sonali Bank.

He asserted that cooperative leaders assured him they would settle the issue with the administration.

The Biral Muktijoddha Poultry and Livestock Cooperative Society was originally formed in 1974 by local freedom fighters, who leased Karai Beel from the government for fish farming. In 1977, the then president, Ziaur Rahman, allocated funds for digging a pond as part of a canal excavation programme, leading to the establishment of a tree plantation around the embankment.

Although society members later obtained ownership of the pond, the administration revoked their lease years later, leading to an ongoing land dispute in court, according to well placed sources of the government and cooperative body.

At a press conference today, Mokhsed Ali Mongolia, acting president of the cooperative and a BNP leader, denied any wrongdoing.

"The trees were not stolen but sold with the approval of the cooperative's general assembly," he said.

He further explained that after the July and August political unrest, the pond became vulnerable to looting, and the trees were no longer yielding fruit.

"We decided to cut them down and convert the area into a litchi orchard," he said.

Biral Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ishtiaq Ahmed, who is overseeing the investigation, confirmed that legal action has been taken due to violations in axing over 600 trees under public property laws.

The cooperative leaders have failed to provide a valid explanation against the tree axing, added the UNO.​

 

[Saif]

Gorer Khal on its deathbed

Yet another example of a poorly executed project

www.thedailystar.net

Gorer Khal on its deathbed
Yet another example of a poorly executed project

It is appalling to witness our rivers, canals, and such water bodies die one after another due to encroachment, pollution, and mindless development. One such canal is Gorer Khal at the Baniachong upazila in Habiganj. According to a report, the 19.2-kilometre-long canal was once a lifeline for the region's agriculture, communication, and flood management. But it is now on the verge of death due to illegal encroachment, pollution, and siltation. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) took up a project at a cost of Tk 7.16 crore in FY 2022-23 to excavate and revive it but failed to do so. What, then, was the point of taking up such a project?

Clearly, the project was not properly planned or executed. Reportedly, while the project was underway, the authorities focused on digging the canal's branches instead of excavating its main body. Moreover, the excavation was allegedly conducted without proper land measurement or clearing encroachments. Additionally, the soil dug from the canal was piled up along its banks, which washed back into it during the monsoon. And although a total of 4,000 trees were supposed to be planted along the banks, this was not done either. All this explains why, around a year and a half into the work, the project has failed to bring any positive results.

Local residents also alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds by those who implemented it. Although the canal's situation has not improved at all, the project authorities have claimed that they did as far as they could, which shows their inefficiency and lack of sincerity. Unfortunately, the situation of Gorer Khal and the excavation project undertaken by the BWDB is not unique. Hundreds of such ill-executed projects can be found across the country. For instance, only the other day, a report published in this daily revealed how bridges built over the canals of Barguna were collapsing due to the use of poor-quality materials.

Corruption in development projects, whether large or small, was a recurring issue during the previous Awami League regime. This must come to an end. We urge the government to hold those responsible for such poorly planned projects accountable and reclaim canals like Gorer Khal to restore the vital lifelines of rural Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Wasa pipeline chokes Bhairab

The 20km part of Bhairab River, stretching from Khulna to Bagerhat, is shrinking into a stagnant canal due to a massive pipeline installed by the Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).

www.thedailystar.net

Wasa pipeline chokes Bhairab

Rivers are the lifelines of Bangladesh, shaping its geography, economy, and culture. However, unchecked encroachment, pollution, and water withdrawal from upstream have left many rivers struggling to survive. Once-mighty rivers like the Padma, Bhairab, and countless others are drying up, forming vast shoals, disrupting agriculture, and forcing fishermen to abandon their livelihoods. The worsening crisis demands urgent attention and action. On this International Day of Action for Rivers, let's have a look at two of our rivers, which once used to flow gloriously, but are now being choked to death due to a lack of sustainable management, dredging, and pollution control.

The 20km part of Bhairab River, stretching from Khulna to Bagerhat, is shrinking into a stagnant canal due to a massive pipeline installed by the Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).

The 56-inch-diameter pipeline, laid without an adequate environmental assessment, has severely disrupted the river's natural flow, causing heavy siltation and making navigation nearly impossible for boats and trawlers.

To protect the pipeline, Wasa later erected five- to six-foot-high iron structures, further worsening the situation.

These barriers obstruct boat movement, forcing fishermen and transporters to wait for high tide to cross. During low tide, the pipeline remains exposed, creating an impassable obstruction.

"Almost every day, I have to wait an extra six to seven hours for the tide to rise just to cross the pipeline," said Sabur Rana, a fisherman from Naihati village, Rupsha. "Khulna Wasa did this without thinking of our plight. We urge the authorities to resolve it immediately."

Mohammad Ali, a 75-year-old tea stall owner near the Mulghar Bridge, said, "This river, once 300 feet wide, has narrowed to just 20-25 feet over the years. The pipeline has made things worse."

The once-mighty Bhairab, vital for trade and transportation, is now struggling to survive. Businesses relying on river transport face immense hardship, with goods-laden boats frequently getting stuck.

In 2019, Water Development Board (WDB) undertook a Tk 24.23 crore excavation project to improve the river's water flow, dredging 17.5km of the river from Daratana in Bagerhat to Atharobaki in Khulna.

However, the benefits of this effort have been undone by the pipeline's installation.

Md Humayun Kabir, WDB sub-assistant engineer, said, "We opposed the pipeline installation. When the river flow was obstructed post-excavation, we warned them again. Instead of resolving the issue, they made things worse by erecting an iron cage."

Environmentalists say Bhairab's condition reflects the larger crisis facing Khulna's rivers.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, divisional coordinator of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), said, "Around 50 rivers in this region are under threat. A responsible government institution should protect them. The pipeline must be removed or relocated immediately."

WDB has repeatedly urged Wasa to relocate the pipeline, with even the deputy commissioner of Bagerhat writing to higher authorities, including the cabinet secretary, five times. Yet, no concrete action has been taken.

Khan Salim Ahmed, superintending engineer of Khulna Wasa, said steps are being taken to relocate the pipeline. "The estimation is complete, and a contractor has been appointed. We are working on laying the pipe deeper underground for a sustainable solution," he said.

However, locals remain skeptical, fearing that bureaucratic delays will further endanger the Bhairab's survival.​

 

[Saif]

37 rivers in Khulna division at risk: speakers

Relentless encroachment and pollution have placed 37 rivers in Khulna division in critical condition, warned speakers at an International Day of Action for Rivers event in Mongla yesterday

www.thedailystar.net

37 rivers in Khulna division at risk: speakers

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty/Star

Relentless encroachment and pollution have placed 37 rivers in Khulna division in critical condition, warned speakers at an International Day of Action for Rivers event in Mongla yesterday.

They also mentioned that out of the 138 rivers in the division, 21 have completely lost their flow, while seven are only partially active.

The alarming situation was highlighted during a river inspection and protest programme at the confluence of the Mongla and Pashur rivers, organised by "Dharitri Rokkay Amra" (We for Earth), "Sundarban Rokkay Amra" (We for Sundarbans), and Pashur River Waterkeeper, under the slogan "Our Rivers, Our Future".

At the programme, Mongla Technical and Business Management College Principal Md Selim said, "Rivers are an integral part of our heritage and culture. The vast network of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Padma, Jamuna, Pashur, Rupsha, Surma, and Teesta forms the lifeline of Bangladesh. However, climate change, upstream water withdrawal, pollution, encroachment, unplanned development, and administrative negligence have pushed these rivers to the brink of extinction."

Women's rights activist Kamala Sarker expressed concerns over the environmental hazards caused by the Rampal Power Plant.

She said, "Pollution from the Rampal Power Plant has led to the presence of toxic substances in fish from the Sundarbans' rivers, posing a serious threat to human health. It is high time we shut down this environmentally destructive project".

Meanwhile, environmental activist Mostafizur Rahman Milon, lyricist Mollah Al Mamun, and river activists Idris Imon and Hasib Sardar addressed the gathering, urging immediate action to protect the country's rivers. Volunteer members of the Pashur River Waterkeeper, including Dollar Mollah and Mehedi Hasan, actively participated in the discussions.

Mohammad Noor Alam Sheikh, coordinator of 'Sundarban Rokkay Amra' and Pashur River Waterkeeper, warned that industrial, plastic, and agricultural waste are exacerbating river pollution.

He also said, "Climate change is another major threat to our rivers. Rising sea levels and increased salinity are making the water in coastal rivers unfit for use, aggravating both agricultural challenges and the drinking water crisis".

He further highlighted the impact of reduced Ganges water flow and climate change on the Sundarbans by adding, "The rising salinity levels in the Sundarbans' rivers are accelerating the destruction of the mangrove forest, putting its unique ecosystem at serious risk."

Speakers at the event unanimously urged the authorities to take immediate action to protect the country's rivers from further destruction. They warned that without urgent intervention, Bangladesh's rivers, which are vital for biodiversity, livelihoods, and agriculture will continue to degrade, posing a serious threat to both people and nature.​