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

[Saif]

Our coastal communities need a climate justice plan

Bangladesh faces climate crisis: rising seas threaten 20M by 2050. Least responsible, most affected.

www.thedailystar.net

Our coastal communities need a climate justice plan

Climate justice isn’t just an ethical concept, it’s a necessity for the survival of the most vulnerable populations. FILE PHOTO: ZIAUL HAQUE OISHARJH

Last year, the United Nations issued a "red alert" for the future of the world due to the escalating impacts of climate change. The "red alert" highlighted the unprecedented record-breaking heat and extreme weather events, signalling the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. Bangladesh, being one of the most vulnerable countries, is facing the brunt of this crisis, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events threatening its coastal communities. Coastal areas are not only at risk of disappearing beneath rising seas but are also witnessing an acceleration of cyclonic activity, salinity intrusion, and the collapse of vital ecosystems. It is high time that the world, particularly the developed nations most responsible for climate emissions, recognise the necessity of climate justice for the vulnerable communities whose homes are under threat.

Bangladesh's coastal areas are particularly susceptible to the consequences of climate change. According to the Bangladesh Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Fund (BCCARF), sea level rise could displace up to 20 million people by 2050, primarily from Bangladesh's coastal zones. The World Bank's projections paint a similarly grim picture, stating that Bangladesh's coastline, home to some of the most impoverished and marginalised populations, faces devastating threats from climate-related disasters.

This catastrophe is made even more unfair by the fact that Bangladesh, with its negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, bears the heaviest toll. The irony is palpable: countries like the United States, China, and members of the European Union, who are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, are largely unaffected by the climate disasters wreaking havoc in Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Climate justice isn't just an ethical concept, it's a necessity for the survival of the most vulnerable populations. In Bangladesh, it means ensuring that those most affected by climate change, who have contributed the least to its cause, receive the support they need to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the crisis.

Climate justice must be seen as both distributive and procedural. Distributive justice refers to the fair allocation of resources to those most in need. In the case of Bangladesh, this means ensuring that the country receives adequate climate finance to implement adaptive measures, build resilient infrastructure, and protect vulnerable populations from the escalating impacts of climate change. This financial support should be sourced from countries historically responsible for the majority of carbon emissions. These nations must not only reduce their emissions but also provide the necessary compensation to protect vulnerable nations like Bangladesh.

Procedural justice, on the other hand, demands that those most affected by climate change—especially marginalised communities, have a say in the decision-making processes surrounding climate action. In Bangladesh, women, indigenous groups, and low-income communities must be included in climate discussions at all levels, from local to international. Their voices and local knowledge are vital in creating solutions that are both effective and culturally appropriate.

To truly achieve climate justice for Bangladesh's coastal communities, we need both global and local action. At the international level, countries responsible for high emissions must fulfill their financial commitments under the Paris Agreement, ensuring that Bangladesh receives sufficient climate financing to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The funds allocated should be directed toward the most vulnerable regions, focusing on projects that prioritise both resilience and equity.

At the national level, Bangladesh must continue to strengthen its disaster management systems and promote policies that prioritise climate resilience for marginalised communities. But it is equally important to ensure that local communities are not just recipients of aid but active participants in the solution. Local adaptation strategies, such as eco-friendly agricultural practices, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and capacity-building for women and youth must be supported through targeted funding and policy interventions.

Furthermore, Bangladesh's voice must be amplified on the global stage, demanding accountability from those who have contributed the most to climate change. The country's leaders must continue to advocate for compensation and financial support, ensuring that climate justice is integrated into international climate agreements.

The urgency of climate justice for Bangladesh cannot be overstated. As one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, Bangladesh needs not just global solidarity but a fair distribution of resources to protect its people from the worst effects of climate change. It is not enough for the world to acknowledge the problem; it must take concrete action. By ensuring that climate justice is grounded in both distributive and procedural justice, we can create a future where Bangladesh's coastal communities have the resources, support, and voice they need to navigate the stormy waters ahead.

The "red alert" is a wake-up call for the world. It is time for countries responsible for the climate crisis to honour their commitments and provide the necessary support to nations like Bangladesh. Climate justice is not just a moral obligation, it is a lifeline for the millions at risk in the most vulnerable corners of the planet.

Md. Al-Mamun is researcher and social scientist at the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).​

 

[Saif]

Sundarbans’ climate migrants need help

They must not be left to suffer at home or abroad

www.thedailystar.net

Sundarbans’ climate migrants need help
They must not be left to suffer at home or abroad

VISUAL: STAR

We are concerned about the plight of climate migrants who are often forced to seek livelihoods abroad, particularly in the Gulf countries, owing to poverty, debt, and persistent threats of climate-induced disasters in Bangladesh. Far from delivering desired relief, their desperate attempts often turn into another harsh ordeal, as many are forced to return after enduring wage theft, exploitative working conditions, and even deprivation of basic necessities like food in host countries. A significant number of such migrants are from climate-vulnerable regions surrounding the Sundarbans, Satkhira, and Khulna.

Reportedly, climate-related disasters in Bangladesh have nearly doubled over the past six decades, increasing from four per year before 1990 to seven per year after. The frequency and severity of such calamities have further increased after cyclones Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009, intensifying migration both within the country and beyond. According to BMET data, international migration from the Sundarbans region increased by 65 percent in a single year, with 786 people moving abroad for work between October 2022 and September 2023, compared to 477 the previous year. Despite that, their financial conditions have remained unchanged.

The picture that emerges from a study by the Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP)—highlighting the experience of returnee migrants belonging to the Sundarbans region—is quite depressing even if familiar. Many have reported suffering withheld salaries, excessive work hours, restricted movement due to confiscation of passports or lack of work permits, and exorbitant recruitment fees. Many were detained by police and deported directly from jail. Their unexpected return without adequate earnings has only deepened their debt burdens instead of easing them.

The picture that emerges from a study by the Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP)—highlighting the experience of returnee migrants belonging to the Sundarbans region—is quite depressing even if familiar. Many have reported suffering withheld salaries, excessive work hours, restricted movement due to confiscation of passports or lack of work permits, and exorbitant recruitment fees. Many were detained by police and deported directly from jail. Their unexpected return without adequate earnings has only deepened their debt burdens instead of easing them. Another recent survey found that nearly every migrant from Bangladesh's climate-affected regions has experienced some form of modern slavery while abroad. This alarming situation demands immediate government interventions, including the creation of adequate local jobs and other income-generating opportunities for climate-vulnerable communities.

The rights and well-being of these inherently vulnerable individuals deserve priority from the authorities. They must actively engage with foreign embassies to safeguard our migrant workers and ensure they are not subjected to exploitation. Also, the authorities must better regulate migration costs and crack down on unscrupulous recruitment agencies preying on desperate job seekers. Over the years, countless workers have faced abuse while abroad, many even losing their lives. This, too, needs to change. The government must take decisive action to address these interlinked issues and uphold the rights of our migrant workers.​

 

[Saif]

Where did the rivers go?

Most Tangail waterbodies in death throes

www.thedailystar.net

Where did the rivers go?
Most Tangail waterbodies in death throes

Most of the rivers in Tangail remain waterless for six months during the dry season as silting and pollution are leading them to gradual death.

Water experts said the amount of water flow in Jamuna River has reduced a lot due to withdrawal of water from the upstream. The situation affects other connected rivers in the district including the Dhaleswari that has also silted up and as a result, their water containing capacity has greatly reduced, they said.

On the other hand, several rivers in the district have become highly polluted over the years. This pollution is causing serious damage to the life and livelihood of the local people.

The Bonshai and Louhajang rivers in Mirzapur and Sadar upazilas respectively are badly polluted due to discharge of untreated waste into the water bodies by local factories, especially those having printing and dying units.

Meanwhile, the main rivers in Tangail district are Jamuna, Dhaleswari, Jhenai, Bonshai, Louhajang and Elengjani.

The rivers were full of a variety of fishes while ships, launches, big merchant boats plied the rivers that had huge flow throughout the year only few decades ago, several senior citizens said.

River ways were used as means of easy and cheap transportation of goods from and to the district.

Big merchandising boats laden with thousands of maunds of jute from different districts came to the ghats of different rivers in the district including Elasin ghat on the Dhaleswari River in Delduar upazila and Nolin ghat in Gopalpur upazila as many governmental and non-governmental jute purchase centres were set up there.

But all these are past stories and now only some small engine boats can ply only on the Jamuna river during the dry season. As only a little water is available during about half of the year, the river transportation system in the district is in a disorder, they said.

Vehicles including sand-laden ones are seen plying the dried-up riverbeds.

Riverside fishermen and boatmen communities, who are mainly dependent on the rivers for their livelihood, are the direct victims of drying up of the rivers.

The rivers now see very little fish resources as their sanctuaries have been destroyed.

Prof ASM Saifullah of Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University said due to the construction of dams in the upstream of some major rivers of Bangladesh, the flow of water is decreasing during the dry season.

Millions of tonnes of silt coming with the water are accumulating at the bottom of the river due to low flow, and the depth is decreasing, creating shoals, he said.

On the other hand, it affects the branch rivers, there is almost no water in the rivers during the dry season. The dried-up river is being encroached upon by various structures, factories and household wastes are being dumped and thus the rivers are disappearing, he said.

To restore these rivers, dredging should continue, encroachment and pollution must stop, and better connections to main rivers should be established, he added.

Contacted, Matiur Rahman, executive engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Tangail, told The Daily Star that the rivers need dredging for getting back its navigability.

The WDB has already taking preparations to hold dredging on the Dhaleswari river and the works may start soon, he said.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka’s earthquake gamble: Built on sand, bribery, and blind faith

Dhaka is a city of miracles, a place where logic takes a backseat, and hope is the currency of survival.

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka’s earthquake gamble: Built on sand, bribery, and blind faith

File Visual: Star

If Dhaka were a person, it would be that overconfident pedestrian jaywalking across the highway—blind to danger, immune to consequence, and utterly convinced that trucks will swerve in time. But nature doesn't believe in last-minute swerves. Nature, like a strict schoolmaster, has a way of reminding cities that arrogance has a price. And Dhaka, with its labyrinth of high-rises, its tangled mess of traffic, and its people who live life with an enviable mix of bliss and oblivion, stands precariously on the edge of a seismic disaster.

Every few months, we feel a tremor. Some shake our coffee cups, others rattle our windows, and a few make us rush to Facebook to post dramatic status updates about how we "almost died." But as quickly as these discussions arise, they dissipate, like a morning fog evaporating under the glare of the midday sun. After all, we are a resilient bunch. We survived decades of political instability, relentless traffic, floods that turn streets into Venice, and power outages that make candlelit dinners a daily routine. Surely, a little shaking of the ground beneath our feet is nothing to panic about?

The true marvel of Dhaka isn't just its resilience but its sheer talent for ignoring imminent doom. The 2015 Nepal earthquake was a wake-up call, but in typical Dhaka fashion, we hit snooze and went back to constructing high-rises on sand and silt. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), our esteemed urban planning body, continues to dish out building permits like candy at a carnival, often with about as much concern for structural integrity as a roadside jhalmuri seller has for hygiene standards.

Experts have been screaming from their ivory towers (which, ironically, might be the first to collapse in a major quake) that Dhaka is sitting atop an active seismic zone. But what are facts in the face of real estate profit? The show must go on! Developers keep building, officials keep approving, and the citizens? Well, we continue our existence in a city where roads double as garbage dumps and public parks are an endangered species.

One might assume that, with all the warnings, the government has at least a half-baked plan to deal with a large-scale earthquake. You'd be half-right—because the plan is indeed half-baked. The official response strategy is a dazzling display of bureaucratic optimism. It involves emergency drills that are conducted once in a blue moon, usually with more photo-ops than actual training. The fire department, bless their hearts, is already struggling to reach burning buildings in the city's daily gridlocks; in an earthquake scenario, it's more likely that rescuers will need rescuing themselves.

The roads, those narrow veins of chaos, will become impassable within minutes. Collapsed buildings, broken bridges, and fallen metro rails will ensure that emergency services are as effective as an umbrella in a tsunami. And let's not even talk about hospitals. Most are already overwhelmed by a normal day's patient load. What happens when thousands are crushed under debris, waiting for help that will never come?

Let's not put all the blame on the government. We, the residents, have our own admirable level of apathy. Our emergency preparedness strategy consists of reciting religious verses and hoping for the best. Earthquake safety training? Most people don't even know where the emergency exits are in their own apartment buildings (spoiler: most buildings don't have them). In fact, if an earthquake were to strike during rush hour, you'd find half the city live-streaming the disaster while the other half debates on social media whether this is a punishment for our sins.

Our buildings? A structural engineer's nightmare. Constructed with all the finesse of a toddler stacking toy blocks, many high-rises in Dhaka would collapse faster than a politician's promise. And why wouldn't they? When developers prioritise cost-cutting over safety, when inspections are mere formalities greased by bribes, and when residents rent apartments without questioning their safety, this is the natural outcome.

What happens when Dhaka faces the inevitable? Let's paint a picture.

It's a regular afternoon, and the city is busy as always. Suddenly, the ground rumbles. At first, people think it's just another overloaded truck passing by. But then, the shaking intensifies. Buildings tremble like fragile Jenga towers. The glass façade of a newly built mall shatters, raining shards on the terrified pedestrians below. The metro rail—our pride, our saviour from traffic—derails, crashing onto a sea of vehicles stuck in a jam. Within minutes, power is out, phone lines are dead, and a city of 20 million plunges into chaos.

Rescue efforts are hindered by narrow roads blocked by debris. The hospitals overflow with casualties. In Old Dhaka, fires break out as gas lines rupture. There's no water to douse the flames—because, let's be honest, even in normal times, many areas barely get running water. The death toll rises not just from collapsed buildings but from stampedes, panic, and lack of medical care. The lucky ones are those who die quickly. The unlucky ones wait under rubble, their cries for help fading into silence.

The greatest tragedy of all? We know this will happen. We have the data, the research, the expert opinions. We have seen what happened in Nepal, in Turkey, in Mexico, and recently in Myanmar-Thailand. Yet, we continue to build recklessly, live carelessly, and plan inadequately. We place our faith in fate, in luck, in divine intervention—anything but actual preparedness.

There is still time to act, but not much. Retrofitting weak buildings, enforcing stricter construction laws, creating open spaces, and conducting genuine emergency drills could save thousands of lives. But will we do it? Or will we continue our blind march forward, whistling a happy tune, hoping that the ground beneath our feet remains merciful?

Dhaka is a city of miracles, a place where logic takes a backseat, and hope is the currency of survival. But hope alone won't save us when the earth decides to remind us who's really in charge. And when that day comes, the only question left will be: did we do enough to save ourselves, or did we simply wait for disaster with open arms and empty plans?

H.M. Nazmul Alam is an academic, journalist, and political analyst.​

 

[Saif]

Illegal sand extraction threatens Manu river in Sylhet

Sand miners, using dredgers and other mechanical equipment in violation of laws, are endangering bridges and culverts while accelerating riverbank erosion

www.thedailystar.net

Illegal sand extraction threatens Manu river in Sylhet

File photo: Star

Despite existing regulations, the Manu river in Moulvibazar continues to suffer from unchecked illegal sand extraction, posing serious threats to both infrastructure and the local ecosystem.

Sand miners, using dredgers and other mechanical equipment in violation of laws, are endangering bridges and culverts while accelerating riverbank erosion.

Locals reported that sand is extracted daily from various channels, including the Manu and Dhalai rivers. The Rajapur Bridge in Kulaura is particularly at risk, with soil displacement threatening the stability of its pillars.

"Illegal extraction, especially outside leased areas, has been an ongoing problem," said Ashfak Tanvir, general secretary of Robirbazar Club.

He added that the situation has deteriorated since the change of regime, with operators defying guidelines even within legally leased sand pits by using methods that jeopardise nearby structures.

Under the Balumohal and Soil Management Act, 2010, sand extraction within one kilometre of bridges, dams, highways, and residential areas is strictly prohibited. Extraction near eroded riverbanks is also banned, with violations punishable by up to two years in prison and fines of up to Tk 10 lakh.

Despite these measures, illegal sand mining remains rampant in the district.

During a recent visit to Kulaura, several dredgers were spotted extracting sand from the Manu, particularly within 150 to 200 feet downstream of Chatlapur Bridge in Sharifpur union.

Locals claim that Kulaura is one of seven upazilas in Moulvibazar where mechanical sand mining is widespread. Areas such as Kotarkona, Rajapur, and Chatlapur in Kulaura, along with Durlabpur, Kamalpur, Sarkar Bazar, and Notun Bridge in Sadar upazila, are frequently targeted.

The environmental consequences are severe. Mechanical sand extraction is exacerbating river erosion, threatening agricultural lands and homes, and putting critical infrastructure like the Chatlapur customs station and nearby bridge at imminent risk.

ASM Saleh Sohel, coordinator of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), expressed concern over the unregulated mining.

"Illegal sand extraction is severely harming the environment, affecting agricultural land and protective embankments. Using non-mechanical methods and adhering to legal frameworks could significantly reduce erosion and environmental damage," he said.

Khalid Bin Walid, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Moulvibazar, reported ongoing erosion at multiple sites, with cement blocks for bank protection sinking underwater. The board has advised against leasing sand embankments in high-risk areas, he added.

Of the district's 40 sand quarries, 21 have been leased, while the rest are in process, according to local administration officials.

However, extraction from silica sand quarries in Moulvibazar remains banned. In 2013, the Energy and Mineral Resources Department designated 52 quarries in the area as silica-rich. However, most remain unleased due to legal challenges.

A writ petition filed by the Environmental Lawyers Association in 2016 prompted the High Court to mandate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for silica sand extraction. Leasing has been halted until Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs) are obtained, causing significant delays.

Meanwhile, authorities are stepping up enforcement efforts.

Tanvir Hossain, additional district magistrate of Moulvibazar, said mobile courts are conducting regular drives to curb illegal sand mining.

In the past two months, 20 mobile courts have imposed Tk 15 lakh in fines across 24 cases under the Sand and Soil Management Act, with seven individuals jailed. Additionally, Tk 13.55 lakh in fines were imposed in 18 cases under the Environment Act, resulting in one arrest, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Climate change victim: Went abroad to make fortune, ended up poorer

Many fall victim to fraud and forced labour, and find no way but returning home in an even more destitute state.

en.prothomalo.com

Climate change victim: Went abroad to make fortune, ended up poorer
Mohiuddin
Dhaka
Published: 01 Apr 2025, 21: 54

A significant number of people from Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira are being forced to leave their homes near the Sundarbans due to river erosion, cyclones, and tidal surges every year. Some of them shift to other parts of the country, while others sell their land and property and take loans to search for their fortune abroad.

However, many fall victim to fraud and forced labour, and find no way but returning home in an even more destitute state.

One such individual is Abdullah Rubel of Padmapukur union in Shyamnagar. He used to make ends meet for his family from a shrimp enclosure. Repeated natural disasters devastated his business and prompted him to find fortune abroad. In 2019, he mortgaged the farm and took out a loan to travel to Brunei.

He faced an even worse situation in Brunei as he failed to secure any job there. With no option in hand, he took a job in a Bangladeshi household in exchange for food and shelter, with no wages. After surviving there for nine months, he borrowed money, bought a ticket, and returned home, along with the burden of debt and uncertainty.

While talking to Prothom Alo, he shared that he lost everything after going abroad at a cost of Tk 500,000. Failing to repay the mortgage money and reclaim his lone earning source, the shrimp enclosure, he now does seasonal jobs to earn bread and butter for his family.

According to individuals concerned, climate change victims from not only Satkhira but also some other districts are leaving their homes in search of financial stability.

A recent study – titled “Exposed and exploited: Climate change, migration, and modern slavery in Bangladesh” – also underscored the growing trend of forced migration due to environmental disasters.

The study, conducted by Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), surveyed 648 families across 33 villages in climate-affected regions of Mathbaria in Pirojpur and Gowainghat in Sylhet. It found that 70.06 per cent of families have at least one member who migrated.

Debt trap and modern slavery

The study revealed that migrants often feel helpless and are forced to join any jobs due to the pressure to repay their loans. Some others accept ‘inhumane’ workloads out of their desire to make a fortune for their family. Eventually, they fall prey to modern slavery.

The research found different aspects of modern slavery in the examined cases, including low to no wage, mental and physical abuse, and movement restrictions. A staggering 99 per cent of workers experienced at least one form of slavery, while 81 per cent went through five or more indicators of modern slavery.

Migrants from Mathbaria in Pirojpur spent an average of Tk 461,220 to go abroad. Among them, 25 per cent sold their land, while 18 per cent took high-interest loans.

According to the expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry, the number of Bangladeshi workers going abroad has increased significantly since 2022, as more than 100,000 workers left the country each month for two consecutive years. The number declined slightly last year, around 80,000 workers still migrated monthly.

However, many of them return after being cheated or failing to secure jobs abroad.

There is no official data on returnee migrants, except for those irregular migrants who are detained abroad and returned home with an outpass or temporary travel permit. In the previous year, over 80,000 such workers returned home from abroad.

From poverty to greater poverty

In 2018, Hasan Gazi, a resident of Shyamnagar, took a loan of Tk 550,000 from his relatives to migrate to Kuwait via India. While he was abroad, his village home was washed away in floods.

After working in Kuwait for four years, he was detained by the police and deported. In conversation with Prothom Alo, he said his family fell under financial pressure due to damages to the home in repeated floods and cyclones. Migrating abroad brought no benefit to them. Now, he drives an auto-rickshaw in Keraniganj and lives in a garage.

The BRAC migration programme, which supports returning migrant workers, said some 250 to 300 migrant workers return empty-handed every day. Many arrive in poor condition, without money, and even struggle to reach their villages. The organisation provides them with Tk 1,000 as travel expenses.

There are various government and private initiatives to send workers abroad, but nothing for the returnees. Some projects were undertaken after the Covid-19 pandemic, but those yielded no significant results. Also, there are no separate programmes for climate refugees who fall prey to fraudulent migration schemes.

OKUP chairperson Shakirul Islam noted that many people are being forced to migrate due to climate change, only to be deceived and return home even poorer.

“The developed countries must take their responsibilities, as the liabilities of climate change-induced disasters lie with them, not Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government should also take initiatives,” he added.​