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

[Saif]

We must save forests for our own sake

Firm action needed to stop grabbing of forestland

www.thedailystar.net

We must save forests for our own sake
Firm action needed to stop grabbing of forestland

VISUAL: STAR

It is quite disheartening that the fate of life-saving forests in our country does not change regardless of whether there is a political or non-political government in power. Somehow, influential locals and unscrupulous businesses always manage to get the backing of someone in power to destroy and loot our natural resources for their own gain. The encroachment of the reserve forest in Majher Char in Patuakhali's Rangabali is a glaring example of this.

According to a report in this daily, a local named Jewel Sikder has allegedly been expanding his fish enclosure encroaching upon the forestland. During Awami League's rule, he had its backing, and now, he is allegedly using BNP's banner although the latter has denied any affiliation. Jewel's list of alleged illegal actions includes not only felling trees to occupy deforested areas for expanding his business but also constructing a dam, digging drainage canals, and installing culverts inside the forest to facilitate water flow to his fish enclosure. Though evidence of forest grabbing was found, and an inquiry launched, no action has been taken against him yet. We hope that the inquiry process will not get stalled in bureaucratic delays, but the question remains: why did the forest officials not notice these activities beforehand? Why no action at all was taken? Surely, the dam and the culvert were not built overnight, nor could those be hidden away at will.

Unfortunately, forestland grabbing, felling trees, and illegal logging are too common all over Bangladesh. These crimes continue happening right under the noses of authorities, and often with their help. There hardly seems to be any proactive supervision or patrolling to prevent such activities. Beyond their significance in maintaining ecological balance, forests, particularly in the coastal belts, have time and again shielded local residents from the severity of devastating storms. It is beyond comprehension why anyone would want to take down these protections. We urge the authorities, including local administrations and forest officials, to take firm action so that individual greed, political shelter, negligence of duty, and bureaucratic red tape do not lead to further loss of forestland in Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Bagerhat canals in death throes

The five recorded canals of Bagerhat municipality have been encroached upon, with illegal permanent structures erected along their banks.

www.thedailystar.net

Bagerhat canals in death throes

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

The five recorded canals of Bagerhat municipality have been encroached upon, with illegal permanent structures erected along their banks.

Once navigable and vital for drainage, these canals are now nearly dead due to encroachment, obstruction of tidal flows, and indiscriminate dumping of waste.

Residents are demanding the canals' reclamation and excavation to alleviate the suffering caused by waterlogging.

Municipal authorities admitted that over 500 illegal structures have been built along these canals, and assured that a project is in place to restore them through eviction and re-excavation.

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

Bagerhat municipality, spanning 15.88 square kilometres, was established on April 1, 1958 and is home to over 125,000 residents.

Situated along the Bhairab river, the municipality consists of nine wards and five recorded canals. These waterways once accommodated large boats but have now turned into waste dumps.

In several areas, illegal occupiers have constructed buildings, making it impossible to recognise them as canals anymore.


The canals in question include Harikhali Canal, Harinkhana Canal, Badiar Canal, Nagerbazar Canal, and Wapda Canal.

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

Residents allege that influential individuals have illegally occupied the canals and built multi-storey structures, leading to severe waterlogging during the monsoon. Many locals struggle to rent out their homes as streets remain submerged for weeks after rainfall, with no effective drainage system in place.

Habib Sheikh, a resident of Basabati, recalled a time when large boats traversed these canals, and locals would swim and bathe in them.

Now, the canals are all but extinct. He lamented that the inability of the canals to drain away rainwater causes severe waterlogging during the monsoon, leading to immense hardship.

Abdur Rahman of Nagerbazar said the canals have been filled up due to encroachment and indiscriminate dumping of waste, causing waterlogging in roads and houses during the rainy season.

Assistant Engineer of Bagerhat Municipality, TM Rezaul Haque Rizvi, said the municipality has five canals, many of which have been illegally occupied, with more than 500 structures built along them.

Due to the accumulation of waste, water drainage has become severely obstructed.

Rezaul said, the five canals, stretching approximately 23 kilometres, are set to be excavated under the Coastal Towns Infrastructure Improvement Project. The tendering process will soon commence to restore these canals and eliminate prolonged waterlogging.

This project is expected to cost over Tk 7.5 crore. Once implemented, it is anticipated to alleviate the suffering of municipal residents, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh at high earthquake risk, fire service issues alert

Dhaka, Ctg, Sylhet, Mymensingh most vulnerable regions, it says

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh at high earthquake risk, fire service issues alert
Dhaka, Ctg, Sylhet, Mymensingh most vulnerable regions, it says

Photo: Star

Bangladesh is facing a high risk of earthquakes similar in magnitude to those that recently struck Myanmar and Thailand.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate identified the country's Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Dhaka as the most vulnerable regions.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit various regions of Myanmar and Thailand yesterday, causing significant damage.

In an official alert issued at 11:12am today, the fire service warned that Bangladesh could experience tremors of similar intensity, particularly in high-risk zones.

The fire service urged the authorities concerned and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate earthquake risks.

It called for the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in line with the Bangladesh National Building Code 2020 and emphasised the need to strengthen or retrofit vulnerable and ageing structures.

It also stressed the importance of enhancing fire safety measures in high-rise and commercial buildings and ensuring that utility services such as gas, water, and electricity lines remain intact.

To improve preparedness, the agency recommended regular earthquake drills at personal, institutional, and community levels.

It advised that emergency contact numbers, including those of the fire service, ambulance, police, and hospitals, be clearly displayed at homes and workplaces. Additionally, it urged individuals to undergo volunteer training to play an active role during disasters.

Residents were advised to store essential emergency supplies, including torches, radios with extra batteries, whistles, hammers, helmets or cushions, dry food, clean water, medicines, first-aid kits, and baby care items, in a designated area at home.

The fire service called for collective efforts to strengthen earthquake preparedness and urged people to report any emergencies to its media cell at 01722856867, hotline 102, or through its official website.​

 

[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.​

 

[Saif]

Community-based solutions needed to tackle plastic pollution

If we want to build a green and clean country and sustainable future for the coming generations, we have to do it now

en.prothomalo.com

Community-based solutions needed to tackle plastic pollution
Parvez Uddin Chowdhury
Published: 08 Apr 2025, 14: 20

Thin plastic waste on the roadside in Chittagong city Parvez Uddin Chowdhury

The increasing plastic debris around us is becoming so pervasive that it needs our collective attention. Plastic waste invasion is everywhere. Just look around you, you will see it. Yet most of us are not bothered.

Tackling plastic pollution is a global challenge. Many countries all over the world are still struggling to handle it. But there is no room for complacency. We are one of the top countries that mismanage plastic waste.

Plastic debris is chocking our surroundings, but we keep ignoring it. It hardly finds place in our public discourse. It is surprising that still we are not collectively recognising the growing scourge of mismanaged thin plastic waste in our country.

Increasingly our cities, towns, canals, rivers and countryside are dying and communities are becoming disheartened and unlivable because of irresponsible disposal of plastic debris, especially thin grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids, used diapers, etc. All the plastic garbage we now see in the drains and roadside will soon end up being in the rivers and sea when the rains start.

The impact of this pollution on the ecosystems, environment, climate and human health is growing alarmingly and so is the production and use of it. A study published last year revealed that we generate approximately 87,000 tons of single-use plastics annually, with 96% of it discarded as waste. Globally, we produce around 400 million tons of plastic waste, most of which remains unmanaged, posing a serious threat to our natural environment, human health, ecosystems, and marine life.

Given the rapid urbanization happened in last 15 years, our annual per capital plastic consumption in urban areas tripled to 9 kg in 2020 from 3 kg in 2005. In Dhaka alone, over 25 million polyethylene bags are used and discarded daily.

As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, we need more young individuals to focus on addressing the challenges of sustainability and escalating climate effects.

In many towns, municipal and domestic waste is consistently discharged into rivers and canals. A prime example is the beach town of Cox’s Bazar, where municipal waste is often seen to be dumped into the River Bakkhali.

Modern facilities have made our life much faster and easy. Single-use plastic may be one of the modern advancements that is cheap and convenient and hence popular worldwide. However, this widespread popularity comes with a heavy environmental cost.

If we want to use this cheap and convenient thing in our daily life, we must take responsibility of proper disposal, recycling and of reducing overall consumption. We are a country of 160 million people in a small piece of land, we cannot afford being irresponsible about plastic debris. Perhaps, one of the best ways to tackle this is to address this issue at our community level.

Almost on every occasion, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources, talks about the pollution being caused by single-use plastic. She keeps emphasizing on the urgent and collective action against plastic pollution and keeps encouraging the development of safer alternatives by local entrepreneurs.

In 2002, as plastic items often create blocks in the drainage, we proudly became the first country to ban polythene bags and single-use plastics. However, despite this pioneering move, the law was poorly implemented and failed to bring significant change.

Last year, the interim government renewed efforts to tackle this problem by once again enforcing the ban on single-use plastics, beginning with plastic grocery bags. Unfortunately, this initiative has faced similar challenges.

For a healthy living and sustainable future, there is no way but to find out ways to mitigate it. While it's understandable that our waste management facilities are inadequate, this cannot be an excuse to turn our whole country into a plastic wasteland. It's not feasible for the government to manage plastic pollution in every community. Instead, we need stronger communities that are inspired to act and address this issue in their respective area.

While the responsibility of establishing better waste management facilities falls on government and non-govt organisations, tackling environmental challenges requires collective efforts. In fact, greater public engagement is needed to address this crisis and make a lasting impact.

Community-based solutions are inherently sustainable. When people collectively become responsible for the cleanliness and pollution in our communities, change will be inevitable. For that, we need to build collective awareness and community consensus. In every community, we need a group of young and active climate enthusiasts who will raise their voice and bring up this issue in every community program. They will set agendas, promote alternatives and raise awareness, and take concrete actions to ensure proper disposal and cleanliness.

When young people become united, change is always possible. As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, we need more young individuals to focus on addressing the challenges of sustainability and escalating climate effects. With the expected growth of green jobs in the future, this focus will also benefit our youth by providing valuable career opportunities.

We are investing a lot of our public energy into day-to-day political affairs in the country. Some of our public energy should be invested on social and environmental issues like plastic pollution. Change takes time, sometimes it takes a generation. If we want to build a green and clean country and sustainable future for the coming generations, we have to do it now.

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

 

[Saif]

How dangers intensify due to garbage burning in Dhaka

Visiting Aminbazar, the outskirt of Dhaka early morning on 6 April, it was found that fire was burning at least 20 different spots of a landfill managed by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The smoke was rising into the sky.

en.prothomalo.com

How dangers intensify due to garbage burning in Dhaka
Mostafa Yousuf &
SamsuzzamanDhaka and Savar
Published: 10 Apr 2025, 08: 13

Visiting Aminbazar, the outskirt of Dhaka early morning on 6 April, it was found that fire was burning at least 20 different spots of a landfill managed by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The smoke was rising into the sky. Prothom Alo

Visiting Aminbazar, the outskirt of Dhaka early morning on 6 April, it was found that fire was burning at least 20 different spots of a landfill managed by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The smoke was rising into the sky.

This has become a daily picture. An Ansar member, responsible for security at the Aminbazar landfill, speaking to Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity said, “Those responsible for waste management are the ones who set the fires. Each day, they set fire in a different area.”

A similar scene was observed at the Matuail landfill on the same day. Apart from these two major sites, waste was seen being burned in several locations across Dhaka and along different points of the Dhaka-Aricha highway over the past two days.

People involved in and working at the landfills said that waste is burned to reduce its volume. Plastic waste, when burned, turns to ash, thereby reducing the size of the pile. Furthermore, in an effort to avoid the hassle of transporting waste from within the city to distant locations, it is alleged that cleaners often opt to burn it on-site. However, the city corporations deny such allegations, asserting instead that fires result in from methane gas emissions at the landfills.

The burning of waste exacerbates Dhaka’s already poor air quality. According to Swiss-based IQAir’s Global Air Quality Report 2024, Bangladesh ranked second in the world for worst air pollution in 2024, while Dhaka ranked third among the most polluted cities globally. The World Bank’s ‘Clearing the Air: Addressing Bangladesh’s Air Pollution Crisis’ published in November 2024 states that 11 per cent of Dhaka’s air pollution can be attributed to the open burning of waste.

Despite years of unchecked waste burning, neither of Dhaka’s two city corporations nor the department of environment has taken substantial measures to address the issue.

During a recent visit to the Matuail sanitary landfill on Saturday, environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan instructed that no waste should be burned at any site. Speaking to the media, she emphasised that burning waste at Matuail or any other location is strictly prohibited.

Nonetheless, the situation remains unchanged. When contacted on Monday, the adviser told Prothom Alo, “Unless waste management is handled effectively, it will be extremely difficult to protect Dhaka residents from the harmful effects of air pollution. Government agencies must assume greater responsibility. We intend to initiate a campaign against waste burning in the very near future.”

On-site visits at Aminbazar and Matuail

At approximately 7:00am on Sunday and 6:30am on Monday, fires were visibly burning at various points within the Aminbazar landfill. When journalists attempted to enter the premises on Sunday, they were stopped by Ansar members, who claimed that entry was not allowed without prior permission from the DNCC.

However, the smoke plumes were clearly visible from outside, with some flames detectable from a distance. Observers also noted individuals deliberately adding plastic materials to the fire to ensure complete combustion.

A man named Masud Sheikh, responsible for logging truck entries, refused to answer questions regarding the number of trucks entering daily or the reason behind the fires, citing lack of authorisation to speak.

According to DNCC sources, the Aminbazar landfill covers approximately 52 acres, with the accumulated waste forming piles up to 90 feet high.

A project to generate electricity from the Aminbazar landfill waste has been under discussion for years. It was finally approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in October 2023, with a proposed budget of Tk 12.72 billion. In November 2023, then mayor Atiqul Islam announced that power generation would commence by 2026.

However, investigations reveal that the project remains in its preliminary stage. Project director and DNCC superintending engineer SM Shafiqur Rahman informed Prothom Alo on Monday that the contracted Chinese firm is currently working on the piling for the project’s main building and road construction is expected to begin soon. The project completion date is set for July 2027.

While travelling from Savar to Aminbazar along the Dhaka-Aricha highway, fires were observed at several roadside garbage dumps. For instance, near the Salehpur Bridge and the Baliarpur Bridge, waste piles were burning.
At the Balliapur bus stand, an electric rickshaw driver named Nannu Mia told Prothom Alo, “All day long, they bring waste from the nearby areas and dump it by the road. Then, they set fire to it themselves.”

On Sunday afternoon in Matuail’s Demra area, thick smoke from burning waste was spreading throughout the surrounding neighbourhoods, causing difficulty to residents in breathing.

The landfill is adjacent to the Mridha Bari residential area, whose residents staged protests and road blockades prior to Eid-ul-Fitr, demanding an end to the suffocating smoke.

Ali, 60, a participant in the protests, told Prothom Alo, “It’s impossible to breathe because of the toxic smoke. The moment we open our windows, the smoke enters. We have to keep our doors and windows shut all day. Despite our protests, the waste burning continues.”

Both Dhaka South City Corporation's Chief Waste Management Officer, Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar and DNCC’s Chief Waste Management Officer, Commodore A BM Shamsul Alam, denied allegations of intentional waste burning.

Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar told Prothom Alo, “We do not set these fires. Due to the sun’s heat, methane gas within the landfill ignites naturally and spreads.”

He added that soil will be layered over the waste piles and that arrangements are being made to source soil through canal dredging. Additionally, water is being sprayed and he hopes the fire will be brought under control within the next seven to eight days.

ABM Samsul Alam of DNCC asserted that they are taking measures to ensure that no one deliberately ignites fires to burn waste.

Nevertheless, residents living near the landfills remain unconvinced that methane gas is the sole cause. Md Ali of Matuail’s Mridha Bari pointed out that accidental fires should only occur sporadically or over a few days, not daily and across nearly the entire landfill.

Several locals allege that fires are often set at night so that people do not notice.

Reports suggest that in many areas of Dhaka, after street sweeping in the mornings, garbage piles are formed and then set alight. Such acts are allegedly committed by city corporation cleaners. In addition, local shopkeepers, market staff, small traders and employees of various establishments are known to burn waste.

On Tuesday morning, burning waste was observed in several open spaces beside roads in areas such as East Tejturi Bazar in Farmgate, Karwan Bazaar, the FDC intersection, Moghbazar, Holy Cross College, St John Vianney Hospital and Indira Road. At the FDC intersection, a rickshaw puller named Majnu Mia waiting for passengers said, “City Corporation staff bring waste and then set it on fire. When I leave in the morning, I see waste burning everywhere.”

In March 2021, Stamford University’s Department of Environmental Science, under its Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), conducted a study on open waste burning in Dhaka, identifying 23 hotspots.

CAPS Chairman Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder told Prothom Alo that such burning continues in Dhaka’s urban areas. Even during the holy month of Ramadan, he observed waste is being burned near Hatirjheel, Dhanmondi Lake, Dhaka University and the High Court area. Regarding the landfills, he stated that both have long exceeded their waste holding capacities, which is why the practice of burning waste began.
What happens when waste is burned

According to Article 12 of the Air Pollution Control Rules, 2022, it is prohibited to store or burn waste in the open. The rules specify that no waste can be burned on roads or highways. Violation of this regulation is punishable by up to two years imprisonment or a fine of Tk 200,000.

Air quality researchers explain that roadside waste consists mostly of plastic. When burned, it releases toxic substances such as dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls into the air. Additionally, gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide are produced during combustion.

These toxic emissions contribute significantly to respiratory illnesses, according to Kazi Saifuddin Bennoor, Pulmonologist and Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Lung Foundation.

He told Prothom Alo, “These gases severely impact the respiratory system. They hinder oxygen intake. Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream and interferes with hemoglobin’s oxygen-carrying ability, damaging the kidneys, liver and brain.” He added that fine particulate matter accumulates in the lungs, causing a disease called pneumoconiosis, which eventually hardens the lungs and leads to ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease).

The World Bank’s 2022 report 'Breathing Heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh' states that between 78,145 and 88,229 deaths in Bangladesh in 2019 were attributable to air pollution.
Money is being spent, no decline in pollution

According to the department of environment, the government spent at least USD 65 million between 2000 and 2019 on two air pollution control projects, equivalent to roughly Tk 7.20 billion. Additionally, several smaller initiatives have been implemented and another ongoing project has a budget of Tk 27 billion.

Despite these significant expenditures, Dhaka remains among the world’s most polluted cities and its residents continue to suffer the consequences of air pollution.

Armanul Haque, a student of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, told Prothom Alo, “We often hear that polluted air comes into Bangladesh from other countries. But the real question is, what steps have the government taken to address our own domestic sources of air pollution, such as old vehicles, brick kilns, construction work and coal-fired power plants?”​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Sutang river: Once a lifeline, now a toxic stream

Experts say that due to the pollution, oxygen levels in most parts of the river have dropped to the point where aquatic life can no longer survive.

www.thedailystar.net

Sutang river: Once a lifeline, now a toxic stream
View attachment 15817
Photo: Mintu Deshwara

Once a lifeline for thousands, the Sutang river is now on the deathbed.

Once teeming with fish and other aquatic life, this vital waterway in Habiganj has turned into a toxic stream due to industrial waste.

According to sources, 35 to 40 factories along the riverbank -- producing plastics, food and beverages, textiles, stationery, and ceramics -- discharge untreated industrial waste into the river, contaminating its waters.

View attachment 15818
Photo: Mintu Deshwara

Experts say that due to the pollution, oxygen levels in most parts of the river have dropped to the point where aquatic life can no longer survive.

Tofazzal Sohel, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Habiganj, said the river is now devoid of fish.

View attachment 15819
Photo: Mintu Deshwara

"On February 22, we cast nets at 12 locations and found almost no aquatic life. The only catch was a few small fish, including a dead one. In several other locations, nets retrieved only garbage, with no signs of live fish, frogs, or even snails and oysters," he said.

The pollution has affected local livelihoods. Fishermen who once depended on the river for chital fish have lost their source of income.

Mahbubul Mia, a fisherman from Sutang village, along with several others, said, "For generations, we made a living from fishing, but those days are gone. I have now switched to driving a rickshaw because the river is dead now."

He blamed the lack of oversight from the relevant authorities and public representatives for the current state of the river.

"The Sutang's water is now black and murky, emitting a strong stench. Not only have fish disappeared from the polluted river, but other aquatic life is also dying," he added.

Joytara Bibi, a farmer from Nurpur village, said she no longer uses the river.

"Due to pollution, the water is unsafe for people, animals, and birds," she said.

Ranjit Paul, a potter from Pal Bari, said the soil has even become unusable for his crafts.

Local trader Subash Das said the stench from the river persists even with doors and windows closed.

He noted that pollution has also disrupted an annual religious event where devotees gathered for a holy bath in the Lakhai section of the river.

"With the water so polluted, it's become impossible to carry on this tradition," he added.

A research team from Habiganj Agricultural University is conducting a study of the river's water quality and aquatic life.

Iftekhar Ahmed Fagun, a lecturer from the Department of Aquatic Resource Management at the university, said laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of microplastics in water and fish samples.

Industrial waste has severely affected the river's physicochemical properties, making it uninhabitable for aquatic organisms.

Preliminary findings show critically low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, high electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) beyond the optimal range for freshwater ecosystems.

No fish or aquatic organisms were found near the Shailjora canal, where industrial waste enters the river.

Md Shakir Ahammed, a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science and project lead, said further tests are being conducted to determine the presence of heavy metals.

He emphasised the need for stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal to prevent further ecological damage.

Md Ferdous Anwar, director of Department of Environment of Sylhet, told this correspondent that his office had sent an action plan with 8/9 recommendations to headquarters regarding the river.

"If the plan is approved, the river can be saved. We are taking measures to monitor the industries 24 hours," he added.

The Sutang River, a transboundary waterway between Bangladesh and India, spans 82 kilometers and has an average width of 36 meters.

It originates in Tripura, India, and enters Bangladesh through Chunarughat upazila in Habiganj before merging with the Kalni River in Lakhai upazila.​

There is an urgent need to create an ecosystem where the west can be utilized for economic benefits such as wastewater treatment and reuse in industries. Usage of Plastic in road construction, methanol production from bio waste, Gobar gas from animal dungs and uses residue as fertilizers etc. Only that can solve the issue. Nobody would be interested in investing money just for the sake of waste recycling. Attaching economic benefit with it can fast the process of waste recycling.