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

[Saif]

Recycling capacity needs to be upped to tackle plastic pollution

THE dismal state of waste management, especially of plastic waste, can hardly be overstated. The limited recycling capacity appears to have exacerbated the situation. World Environment Day this year has placed special an emphasis on plastic pollution. Although Bangladesh has made some strides in...

www.newagebd.net

Recycling capacity needs to be upped to tackle plastic pollution
26 June, 2025, 00:00

THE dismal state of waste management, especially of plastic waste, can hardly be overstated. The limited recycling capacity appears to have exacerbated the situation. World Environment Day this year has placed special an emphasis on plastic pollution. Although Bangladesh has made some strides in recycling plastic waste, a substantial volume of plastic remains uncollected. An estimated 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste are produced annually and at least 60 per cent is not recycled. A World Bank study says that about 70 per cent of plastic waste is mismanaged and carelessly discarded. A United Nations Environment Programme study says that Bangladesh ranks among the top 10 plastic-polluting countries and is the 7th highest plastic-consuming nation in the world. The issue is further aggravated by a high volume of single-use plastic although Bangladesh is the first country to ban single-use plastics in 2002. About 87,000 tonnes of single-use plastic containers are discarded annually in Bangladesh, most of which finds way to water bodies and waterways.

Research suggests that an estimated 23,000 to 36,000 tonnes of plastic waste are disposed of annually in 1,212 hotspots around canals and rivers in and around Dhaka. Much of this haphazardly dumped waste ends up in rivers and other aquatic systems. Tourist-heavy regions are also plagued by a high concentration of plastic waste and the areas are similarly marked by the absence of effective waste management and recycling mechanism. Although the government has expressed its commitment to reducing plastic usage, it has yet to take any meaningful action. This inaction has contributed to a rise in the prevalence of single-use plastic containers, including items such as food packaging, straws, cotton buds, sachets, coffee stirrers, and bottles for soda, water and soft drinks, along with plastic bags. Experts say that plastic pollution is largely a problem of waste mismanagement, noting that proper recycling can transform waste into wealth. Yet, the recycling industry continues to face significant barriers, including the absence of comprehensive policy support. The adoption of advanced recycling technologies and the enforcement of waste segregation practices, mandated by the Solid Waste Management Rules 2021 but not yet followed by relevant agencies for operational limitations, are crucial in addressing the threat of plastic waste. Industry insiders have also highlighted the need for supportive tax policies and access to soft loans to help foster the growth of the recycling sector.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Vantara | India's Solution to Wildlife Biodiversity Loss | Vantage with Palki Sharma

No of trees in vantara - Search Videos

www.bing.com

 

[Krishna with Flute]

25 million trees are planted at Vantara.​

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Why Vantara is one of its kind: Setting global benchmarks in animal welfare​

Committed to preserving endangered species, Vantara is spearheading innovative conservation breeding programmes for species such as the Cheetah, slender loris, vulture, and the Great Indian Bustard.​

Moneycontrol News

March 04, 2025 / 15:21 IST

PM Modi inaugurated the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.​

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Reliance Foundation’s Vantara in Gujarat’s Jamnagar and inaugurated the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.



Spread across 3,500 acres, Vantara is a wildlife preservation project founded by Anant Ambani, director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation. The project is also supported by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.


Vantara is focused on creating best-in-class animal conservation and care practices, including state-of-the-art healthcare, hospitals, research and academic centres. It also collaborates with with reputed international universities and organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).

Here are the 10 key things to know about the initiative.

•It runs the world’s largest rescue operations for wildlife (with over 25,000 wild animals) and the largest Conservation & Breeding Centre (over 48 species).


•It is also houses Aisa’s first wildlife hospital with CT scan and MRI units.

• It has world’s largest and India’s only Animal Wildlife Quarantine.

•It has the largest Leopard Rescue Centre (over 300) and Elephant Care Centre (over 250).


•Vantara has Asia’s largest pharmacy for animals. It also has over 75 animal ambulances.

•Till date, over 250 international rescue operations have been successfully completed.

•Vantara’s state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics Include : CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound, Chemotherapy, X-rays, Endoscopy, Lithotripsy, Laser Therapy, Acupuncture, Robotic Laser Surgeries, Blood Bank, Blood Plasma Separator and Abaxis Vet Scan among other facilities.

•There are 25,000,000 trees in Vantara.

• Around 3,500 people work in Vantara.

• It has the world’s only central sterilisation facility dedicated towards wildlife conservation.

Under Vantara’s auspices, non-profit public trusts are dedicated to the selfless service of animals, setting global benchmarks in animal welfare. Committed to preserving endangered species, Vantara is spearheading innovative conservation breeding programmes for species such as the Cheetah, slender loris, vulture, and the Great Indian Bustard, with a special emphasis on animals native to India.

Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

No of trees in vantara - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

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[Krishna with Flute]

I have created my own small Vantara called Shanti Park. 9500 trees are planted. Atleast 2000 more are planned this rainy season. 4 small Miyawaki forest.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

 

[Saif]

Displaced by climate or design?

AS RISING seas swallow coasts, floods wash away livelihood and droughts parch once-fertile lands, the image of the climate-displaced person has become an emblem of the unfolding climate crisis. These stark environmental shifts are no longer distant projections but daily realities for millions...

www.newagebd.net

Displaced by climate or design?
26 June, 2025, 21:39

People stand on the eroded river bank in Munshiganj.

If we are to genuinely address the crisis of climate-induced displacement, we must challenge the depoliticised and sanitised narratives that currently dominate policy discourse and media representation, write Aminur Rahman and Quazi Arunim Rahman

AS RISING seas swallow coasts, floods wash away livelihood and droughts parch once-fertile lands, the image of the climate-displaced person has become an emblem of the unfolding climate crisis. These stark environmental shifts are no longer distant projections but daily realities for millions across the globe. The world, especially countries in the Global North, has adopted this narrative with increasing ease — citing ‘climate displacement’ as a tragic but seemingly unavoidable consequence of global warming. However, beneath this seemingly empathetic framing lies a troubling normalisation of forced displacement, one that often conceals the deeper roots of responsibility, historical exploitation and entrenched power imbalances.

Is climate change the sole villain displacing millions from their homes? Or is this displacement, often portrayed as an inevitable act of nature, also manufactured — shaped and accelerated by the unchecked activities, consumption patterns, and political choices of the Global North? We must ask whether the movement of people is truly about nature’s wrath or the calculated outcomes of global inequality and systemic injustice.

Politics of naming

THE term ‘climate displacement’ sounds neutral, even sterile — as if it were a natural event, like rainfall or an earthquake. It de-emphasises human agency and obscures the deeper structural injustices that have led us here. In reality, what we often call ‘climate displacement’ is a form of forced uprooting driven largely by the extractive economies, fossil fuel dependencies and high-carbon lifestyles of wealthier nations. These patterns of overconsumption and environmental degradation have created a planetary crisis, the consequences of which are most intensely felt in the Global South. In countries like Bangladesh, where communities have contributed the least to global emissions, people now face the most severe climate impacts — rising tides, salinization, river erosion and the collapse of agricultural systems.

Labelling this as ‘climate-induced displacement’ alone serves to erase the culpability of the Global North. It subtly shifts the discourse from one of accountability to one of adaptation, from justice to humanitarianism. In this framing, the Global North often emerges not as the historical polluter or instigator of structural inequalities, but as the benevolent saviour offering aid and support. This clever narrative repositioning distances the powerful from responsibility and reframes displacement as an unfortunate — but blameless — side effect of climate change.

Displacement as managed outcome

WHAT if displacement isn’t just a regrettable side effect of climate change, but a managed outcome — one that fits comfortably within the Global North’s geopolitical and economic frameworks? Climate displacement has increasingly become a policy category within development, climate adaptation and disaster response plans. Yet these plans are often crafted without reference to political histories, colonial legacies or the socio-economic systems that created vulnerability in the first place. Instead of working towards deep, structural climate justice that interrogates root causes, we now witness the institutionalisation of climate refugees as a manageable, predictable group within global governance frameworks.

Aid flows, resettlement programmes, and climate finance packages are offered — often presented with public relations fanfare — but these rarely challenge the global systems that create and perpetuate environmental harm. Worse, such policies can reinforce existing inequalities by treating displaced populations as passive recipients of charity, rather than active holders of rights, knowledge and demands. Displacement becomes framed as a technical issue, solvable with logistics and funding, rather than as a political issue that demands fundamental changes in global systems of extraction and accumulation.

Who gets to stay?

CLIMATE change does not impact everyone equally — nor does it displace everyone equally. Wealthier populations in flood-prone or wildfire-risk areas may relocate with government support, insurance coverage and a pathway to reestablish their lives in safer zones. They often have the privilege of mobility, safety nets and institutional recognition. In stark contrast, marginalised communities, particularly in the Global South, are left with few viable options. They must either remain in deteriorating environments or undertake dangerous and uncertain migrations — often without formal recognition, protection under international law, or access to rights and services in destination areas.

This disparity is not accidental or coincidental. It reflects a deeply entrenched global order where some lives are protected and others are rendered disposable. In such a framework, displacement becomes not merely a consequence but a deliberate mechanism — a way to keep the Global South in a continuous state of precarity, dependency and subjugation. The decision of who gets to stay and who is forced to move reveals uncomfortable truths about whose lives are valued and whose suffering is tolerated.

Reclaiming the narrative

IF WE are to genuinely address the crisis of climate-induced displacement, we must challenge the depoliticised and sanitised narratives that currently dominate policy discourse and media representation. We must move beyond the passive label of ‘climate migrants’ or ‘climate displaced’ or ‘climate refugee’ and ask deeper, more difficult questions: Who created the conditions for their displacement? Who benefits from the way this crisis is framed? And who is made invisible or voiceless in the process?

It is time for the Global North to confront its historical and ongoing role in producing climate harm — not merely through symbolic gestures or pledges but through concrete acts of responsibility. This includes not only reducing emissions at home but also paying reparations for historical damage, transferring clean technologies without conditions, and most importantly, upholding the rights, dignity, and autonomy of displaced communities. This is not a matter of charity — it is a matter of justice, accountability, and shared humanity.

Ultimately, climate displacement is not just about the climate. It is about power, inequality and responsibility. And unless we are willing to name those truths, we risk turning one of the greatest moral challenges of our time into just another managed crisis — with the most vulnerable paying the highest price.

Aminur Rahman is a researcher and seasoned development professional. Quazi Arunim Rahman is a lecturer at the University of Brahmanbaria.​

 

[Saif]

Lightning kills 350 annually in Bangladesh

Lightning strikes continue to pose a growing threat in Bangladesh, claiming nearly 350 lives every year, with the northeastern districts of Sunamganj, Netrokona and Sylhet identified as the most vulnerable zones. Khan Mohammad Golam Rabbani, a weather expert from the intergovernmental organisation

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Lightning kills 350 annually in Bangladesh

Published :
Jun 28, 2025 21:25
Updated :
Jun 28, 2025 21:25

Lightning strikes continue to pose a growing threat in Bangladesh, claiming nearly 350 lives every year, with the northeastern districts of Sunamganj, Netrokona and Sylhet identified as the most vulnerable zones.

Khan Mohammad Golam Rabbani, a weather expert from the intergovernmental organisation Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), shared the data at a seminar held on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark International Lightning Safety Day.

“On average, 3.36 million lightning strikes occur in Bangladesh annually, causing around 350 fatalities,” he said.

He named Sunamganj, Netrokona and Sylhet as the districts most at risk, as per a bdnews24.com report.

“The risk peaks in April and May. Recently, lightning incidents have increased by 10 per cent, with further rises expected,” Rabbani added.

The seminar was jointly organised by RIMES and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

At the same event, Disaster Management Secretray Mostafizur Rahman said: “Work is under way to transform the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) into a full-fledged department.

“It won’t just focus on cyclones -- it will serve all forms of disaster preparedness. Its role will include everything from raising awareness across the country to engaging local volunteers.

“These volunteers will receive training not just on cyclones but across all disaster types,” he added.

The seminar also shared key safety tips during lightning strikes:
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• Stay indoors if dark clouds appear or thunder is heard​
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• If working outdoors without access to shelter, crouch low with limbs tucked in. Do not lie flat on the ground​
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• If in water, stay under the boat canopy​
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• Without a canopy, reduce contact with the boat floor as much as possible​
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• Stop fishing​
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• Avoid water bodies​
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• Do not take shelter under trees or on elevated ground​
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• Stay away from torn power lines​
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Places deemed unsafe during lightning strikes include:
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• Tents set up in open areas​
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• Shelters with open roofs​
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• Metal structures such as uncovered passenger sheds​
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• Umbrellas are also unsafe​

The seminar recommended staying indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap is heard.​

 

[Saif]

Why Dhaka has become unliveable

To survive Dhaka, you need a strategy. Start by embracing the absurd: treat every crisis as a plot twist.

www.thedailystar.net

Why Dhaka has become unliveable

FILE PHOTO: STAR

Picture this: you're standing in the middle of Shahbagh at 8:30am. The sun is already a vengeful orb, the air tastes like exhaust fumes and unfulfilled promises, and the traffic—oh, the traffic—is a fossilised river of cars, rickshaws, and humanity. A man in a sweat-soaked shirt argues with a CNG-run autorickshaw driver over a fare increase of Tk 10. A schoolgirl hops over a sludge-filled pothole, her uniform skirt flapping like a surrender flag.

Somewhere, a protest slogan echoes, muffled by the honking symphony. Welcome to Dhaka, the city that never sleeps, because it's too busy being stuck in traffic, dodging waterlogged streets, or wondering if today's political demonstration will be the one that finally tips the collective sanity into the abyss.

A recent editorial by The Daily Star, titled "This is not how a city can survive", is a primal scream into the void. It catalogues Dhaka's daily crucifixion: protests that gridlock entire neighbourhoods, infrastructure that crumbles faster than a biscuit in cha, and a government that seems to treat citizen welfare as an afterthought in its grand political opera. But how does one survive here? Not just exist, not just endure, but carve out a sliver of dignity—or at least a functioning Wi-Fi connection—amid the chaos? Let's muse.

Dhaka operates on a unique principle: maximum effort, minimum progress. You leave home at 7am to reach your office five kilometres away by 9am, only to discover that a spontaneous protest has turned the road into a car park. The protesters, bless their democratic hearts, are exercising their right to dissent. The traffic police, meanwhile, are exercising their right to vanish. You sit. You sweat. You contemplate the existential irony of a metro rail gliding overhead while your CNG-run autorickshaw dies.

The editorial nails it: this isn't just inconvenience, it's systemic erosion. When protests metastasise into daily blockades, when VIP movements reroute entire neighbourhoods, when monsoon rains turn roads into Venetian canals (sans the romance), the city becomes less a habitat and more a stress simulator. The elderly, the sick, the parents hauling toddlers through sludge—these aren't extras in a dystopian film. They're us. And the tragedy isn't just the suffering, it's the normalisation of it. We have mastered the art of shrugging, "Ki ar korar? Eitai to Dhaka."

But here's the twist: Dhaka's chaos is also its alchemy. The same streets that trap you for hours host impromptu tea stalls where strangers bond over shared misery. The protests that infuriate you also remind you that dissent, however disruptive, is a heartbeat this city refuses to silence. Survival here isn't about avoiding the chaos; it's about learning to dance in the rubble.

Let's be honest: optimism in Dhaka feels like bringing a parasol to a tsunami. The just-revealed Global Liveability Index 2025 ranks us 171st out of 173 cities, below even Kyiv, a city currently hosting an actual war. Our air quality rivals industrial chimneys. Our infrastructure budget seems to evaporate faster than rainwater in July. And don't get me started on the mosquitoes—Aedes aegypti, the unofficial mascot of our public health nightmares.

Yet, cynicism is a luxury this city can't afford. The editorial's plea to prioritise citizens' well-being isn't just a policy suggestion; it's a survival manifesto.

The government's inertia—whether in tackling air pollution, fixing roads, or addressing inflation—is a masterclass in absurdity. The new metro rail? A Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The real solution—disciplined traffic management, green spaces, functional public transport—remains as elusive as a quiet afternoon in Gulistan.

Surviving Dhaka demands a sense of humour. Not the slapstick kind, but the gallows variety. Take the Great Waterlogging Chronicles: you invest in waterproof shoes, only to discover the real enemy is the floating garbage island blocking the drain. Or the VIP Movement Saga, where your entire commute is derailed because someone's convoy needs to glide through the city like a pampered comet. And then there's the Protest Paradox: you support the right to demonstrate but draw the line when it turns your 20-minute errand into a three-hour odyssey.

The editorial's call for "responsible protest" is noble but feels like asking a tornado to mind its manners. Protests here aren't just political theatre; they're catharsis. When the system grinds you down, blocking a road feels like the only megaphone you've got. The problem isn't dissent—it's the collateral damage. A city can't thrive when its arteries are clogged daily, when ambulances are trapped behind slogan-chanting crowds, when students miss exams because the streets are a battleground.

But imagine this: What if protests were organised with precision? What if the government actually planned for them, rerouting traffic, designating zones, ensuring that emergencies aren't collateral damage? What if, instead of adversarial standoffs, we had dialogue?

To survive Dhaka, you need a strategy. Start by embracing the absurd: treat every crisis as a plot twist. Stuck in traffic? Perfect time to memorise a poem. Power outage? Candlelit introspection hour. Find your oasis—a rooftop garden, a quiet cafe, a library corner—and claim a sliver of peace amid the bedlam. Channel your inner Tagore; the man wrote about birds and freedom while colonialism loomed. Create beauty anyway. Demand better, but build resilience: advocate for change, but don't wait for it. Plant a tree. Mentor a kid. Fix a pothole yourself (if the city won't). And above all, laugh. Loudly. Because if you don't, you'll cry.

The editorial ends with a plea for collaboration—government, parties, citizens—to stop treating civic life as a hostage. But collaboration requires trust, and trust is in shorter supply than parking spots here. Yet, hope persists, in the students demanding safer streets, architects designing vertical gardens, journalists chronicling both collapse and resilience.

Dhaka is a city of contradictions. It's a place where you can attend a rooftop art exhibition overlooking a slum, where a phuchka vendor philosophises about inflation, where the smell of rain on concrete mingles with the stench of neglect. It's unliveable. It's home.

The editorial is a mirror held up to our collective face, reflecting exhaustion, yes, but also a stubborn refusal to surrender. Survival here isn't passive; it's a daily rebellion. So, the next time you're trapped in traffic, roll down your window. Share a snack with the rickshaw wala. Complain about the potholes. Dream of a better city. And remember: Dhaka's chaos is also its pulse. As long as it beats, so do we.

Zakir Kibria is a writer and policy analyst.​

 

[Saif]

Govt should step up forecasting, warning of lightning strikes

BANGLADESH has, as Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System data suggest, the highest rate of death by lightning strike in South Asia. Whilst more than 3.3 million lightning strikes happen in Bangladesh every year, the rate of death by strikes remains at 1.21 per 1,000 square...

www.newagebd.net

Govt should step up forecasting, warning of lightning strikes
30 June, 2025, 00:00

BANGLADESH has, as Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System data suggest, the highest rate of death by lightning strike in South Asia. Whilst more than 3.3 million lightning strikes happen in Bangladesh every year, the rate of death by strikes remains at 1.21 per 1,000 square kilometres, with India trailing by 0.86 and Nepal by 0.62. Records show that 270 people have so far died by lightning strike this year. The figure of death by lightning strike was 322 in 2024, as records available with the disaster management department say. In 2020, considered the worst year since 2015 in terms of the disaster, lightning strikes killed 427 people. Data show that 62 per cent of more than 3.3 million lightning strikes happening in Bangladesh every year occur between April and June, with May being the month when most of the strikes take place. And, lightning strikes happen mostly in Jamalganj, an upazila in the north-eastern district of Sunamganj, with 103 strikes per square kilometre on an average every year. Other areas where lightning strikes happen frequently are Netrakona and Moulvibazar, near Sunamganj.

Meteorologists say that the north-eastern haor region sits on massive, static water bodies in the background of Meghalaya which offers a perfect condition for lightning strikes. An analysis of 13 years of lightning strike data points to a conclusion that the frequency of the strike has increased by about 10 per cent, viewed on par with the global knowledge that an increase in temperature by one degree Celsius accounts for an increase in the frequency of lightning strikes by 10 per cent. A typical lightning strike is said to have about 300 million volts and 30,000 amperes of current. And, death by lightning strike remains a problem, which may not be eliminated but can be minimised with an efficient warning system. An early forecast of lightning strike is difficult but specific warning, as experts say, is possible six to 12 hours before lightning strikes. A meteorologist at the Met Office says that Bangladesh has introduced an experimental advanced lightning forecasting system which since April 1 has been able to forecast lightning strikes one to six hours before the disaster happens. Experts now demand that the government should ask mobile operators to broadcast lightning warnings to communities vulnerable to lightning strikes so that death by lightning strikes could be minimised.

Whilst the government should, in such a situation, step up the forecasting so that warnings could be flagged six to 12 hours before the happening, it should put in place a warning broadcast system to make the best use of the forecast.​

 

[Saif]

Govt focused on reducing dust to control air pollution in Dhaka: Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources, has announced a series of proactive steps aimed at tackling air pollution, with a strong focus on controlling dust pollution in Dhaka ahead of winter. Rizwana also outlined the government's co

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt focused on reducing dust to control air pollution in Dhaka: Rizwana

UNB
Published :
Jun 30, 2025 23:01
Updated :
Jun 30, 2025 23:01

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources, has announced a series of proactive steps aimed at tackling air pollution, with a strong focus on controlling dust pollution in Dhaka ahead of winter.

Rizwana also outlined the government's comprehensive plan addressing immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions under the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP).

The adviser came up with the information while talking to journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat following a productive meeting with a visiting team of Chinese air pollution experts.

“As part of short-term measures, all road repair works in Dhaka are targeted to be completed before winter. Surface covering, fencing and water spraying systems will be implemented to control dust,” she said.

Additional initiatives including using watering carts, land hardening and enforcing a “zero soil” policy will be taken to prevent dust from exposed surfaces, she added.

To curb vehicular pollution—a major contributor to poor urban air quality—the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will remove outdated vehicles and introduce 250 new ones.

Plans are also in place to establish 10 automatic vehicle inspection centers to enforce emission standards.

Besides, a working group will be formed in consultation with the Chinese experts to develop long-term strategies, said the adviser.

She also stressed the importance of accurate data collection and analysis for policy formulation and sustainable progress.

Mid- and long-term goals include establishing an advanced air quality emission monitoring system, aligning emission standards with global norms, introducing sanitary landfills and waste incineration plants and promoting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cleaner cooking.

Meanwhile, tax incentives for environmentally friendly practices and technologies are also under review.

Under BCAP, the Department of Environment (DoE) will launch a continuous emission monitoring system for high-polluting industries and conduct training and awareness programs nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) will install road fencing and introduce 50 electric vehicles to promote cleaner transport.

A Japan-funded initiative will establish eight real-time air quality monitoring stations to support evidence-based policymaking and the BEST project will also be implemented to complement these efforts.

Advisor Rizwana expressed optimism about the collaboration with the Chinese expert team, noting that their expertise will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to fight air pollution.

She reaffirmed the government's strong commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Professor Yu Zhao, Executive Dean, School of Environment, Nanjing University; Dr. Haikun Wang, Vice Dean, Nanjing-Helsinki Institute in Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences; and Dr. Tengyu Liu, Associate Professor, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, were present among others.

The meeting emphasized the importance of developing a national emission inventory and conducting chemical analyses to identify pollution sources.

These steps will lay the foundation for a robust source apportionment study—key to designing targeted, science-based interventions across the country.​

 

[Saif]

‘Degraded Airshed’ to be identified to control Dhaka’s air pollution: Adviser

The government is set to announce ‘Degraded Airshed’ zones in Dhaka city soon to combat worsening air pollution, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. “An expert committee will be formed to provide scientific recommendations on the matter,” she told a meeting at the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

‘Degraded Airshed’ to be identified to control Dhaka’s air pollution: Adviser

UNB
Published :
Jul 01, 2025 22:00
Updated :
Jul 01, 2025 22:00

The government is set to announce ‘Degraded Airshed’ zones in Dhaka city soon to combat worsening air pollution, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

“An expert committee will be formed to provide scientific recommendations on the matter,” she told a meeting at the Department of Environment office in Agargaon, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The adviser emphasised the need for effective measures to control air pollution in the capital, and instructed officials of the Department to take prompt and effective action.

Under the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997, an area within the same air flow zone is designated as a ‘Degraded Airshed’ if the air quality standard is exceeded due to pollution.

The adviser said brick kilns in key locations, including the hill tracts of Chattogram and Ramgati in Lakshmipur, will be prohibited to reduce pollution.

Continuous drives against expired vehicles will be conducted in cooperation with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Officials of the Department of Environment were directed to take legal action against illegal dumping of construction materials, burning of waste in parks or open areas, and leaf burning.

She also highlighted the importance of community involvement in implementing Dhaka city’s ‘Zero Soil’ programme. No area in the city should be left barren; tree planting must be carried out everywhere.

Hotspots for leaf burning should be identified and awareness campaigns launched, including distributing leaflets in educational institutions and advertising in the media.

The Environment Adviser ordered operations against sand dumping in Amin Bazar and urged the active participation of volunteers in tree planting activities.​

 

[Saif]

Banning trees to save nature? Rethinking Bangladesh’s exotic tree policy

The recent ban, however, goes further, prohibiting not just the plantation but also the transport and sale of both acacia and eucalyptus.

www.thedailystar.net

Banning trees to save nature? Rethinking Bangladesh’s exotic tree policy

The government’s recent shift towards promoting “indigenous fruit, medicinal, and timber species” is a welcome move from the perspective of ecological restoration.

Returning to Dhaka last September after five years abroad, I was simply searching for a modest, functional, and affordable cabinet. But as I wandered through the bustling alleys of the Mirpur Stadium furniture market, I found myself entangled in a complex narrative woven from timber, class aspirations, and ecological politics. Amid rows of polished wood and lively chatter, one term repeatedly caught my ear: Jessore teak. It mimicked the elegance of real teak (segun) but was far cheaper. When I asked what tree it came from, most were unsure, until an elderly shopkeeper disclosed the truth: Jessore teak is actually akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium), a fast-growing species that matures in a decade and thrives where little else does.

More than clever marketing, this wood embodied an entire ethos: a way for ordinary people to furnish homes, build poultry and livestock sheds, or secure microloans in a constrained economy. But just as this quiet ecosystem of livelihoods had stabilised, it was abruptly disrupted. In May, the government banned both acacia and eucalyptus, citing ecological harm. The decision left growers, carpenters, and consumers in limbo, destabilising a forestry economy built over decades.

Exotic trees are not new to Bangladesh. Teak (Tectona grandis) was introduced by the British colonial administration but remained confined to state forests for a long time. The real expansion came in the 1980s through social forestry programmes, supported by NGOs and later the Forest Department. Lacking fast-growing native alternatives, acacia and eucalyptus were promoted for their rapid growth, resilience in poor soils, and ease of maintenance, particularly in degraded areas, along embankments, and in roadside plantations. These species quickly established themselves, spreading from public lands to private homesteads, offering both green cover and economic benefits.

However, this success came with ecological trade-offs. As non-native species, they contribute relatively little to local biodiversity and have been criticised as "water-hungry." Eucalyptus, in particular, is often accused of depleting soil moisture and releasing allelopathic toxins through its leaf litter. Yet much of this criticism is based more on public perception and environmental activism than on rigorous science. Peer-reviewed research from Bangladesh remains limited. Globally, findings are mixed: some studies suggest eucalyptus aids reforestation on degraded soils, while others warn of its hydrological and allelopathic impacts. Nevertheless, negative media coverage and activism have shaped public opinion, prompting the Forest Department to halt eucalyptus planting on public land since 2007, although private cultivation has continued.

The recent ban, however, goes further, prohibiting not just the plantation but also the transport and sale of both acacia and eucalyptus. Responses have been mixed. Rural communities that relied on these trees for furniture, fuelwood, income, and construction now face sudden precarity. Foresters, too, have questioned the rationale behind equating acacia with eucalyptus in a blanket ban. Acacia, a nitrogen-fixing species from the Fabaceae family, is often used to rehabilitate barren land and support mixed-species plantations. In marginal areas, it plays an important role in expanding green cover and meeting household needs. Allegations that acacia pollen causes asthma remain unsubstantiated, with forestry experts pointing to a lack of credible studies.

At first glance, the ban may seem like a bold ecological pivot. But on closer inspection, it reveals a deeper flaw in Bangladesh's environmental governance: the tendency to implement sweeping decisions without rigorous research or inclusive dialogue. Despite decades of widespread planting, methodologically sound studies evaluating the long-term ecological impacts of these species remain rare. If these trees are now deemed harmful, why were they so aggressively promoted in the first place? Where are the baseline trials? Who is held accountable?

This sudden reversal illustrates what political theorist James C Scott termed the synoptic impulse: the state's tendency to simplify complex realities into legible, administratively manageable forms. In the 1980s, the state promoted eucalyptus and acacia as miracle solutions. Now, it seeks to erase them with a single decree. In both cases, local complexities and ecological nuance are sacrificed for the promise of a uniform, scalable fix.

My conversations with villagers in Khulna and Chattogram reveal widespread frustration and confusion regarding the blanket ban. These trees are deeply embedded in rural economies—used for firewood, furniture, and even as collateral. Yet the ban was enacted without consultation, excluding those most affected: farmers, nursery owners, women who gather fuelwood, and entire communities reliant on these species. Even more troubling is the apparent class bias: teak, a slow-growing species favoured by the wealthy for high-end furniture, remains exempt—despite its well-documented ecological impacts, including soil degradation and allelopathic effects. Once again, the burden of "ecological correction" falls disproportionately on the rural poor—particularly those who followed state-backed guidance and now face penalties—while the wealthy remain untouched.

The government's recent shift towards promoting "indigenous fruit, medicinal, and timber species" is a welcome move from the perspective of ecological restoration. However, based on past experiences, I remain wary of the risk of reproducing new monocultures—whether orderly rows of mahogany (also an exotic) or rain trees—neither of which meaningfully contributes to biodiversity. Even fruit tree culture has undergone significant transformation. What were once seed-grown, community-nurtured orchards—mosaics of mango, jackfruit, java apple, custard apple and black plum that supported rich biodiversity and fostered an ecosystem of care and support—have been replaced by a few fast-yielding clonal shrubby varieties that lack both ecological richness and cultural resonance.

Today's fruit trees are smaller, more susceptible to disease, and less hospitable to birds and pollinators. This shift reflects a forestry paradigm that prioritises market efficiency over ecological resilience and cultural heritage.

Moreover, it remains unclear whether the ban adequately considered the carbon sequestration potential of these fast-growing species, or whether it was grounded in robust and methodologically sound environmental assessments.

Yet within this rupture lies a space for possibility. The ban reopens the conversation on how forestry can be reimagined—diverse, participatory and grounded in lived realities. But meaningful change requires more than symbolic gestures. It demands institutional support for those affected: subsidies, compensation, access to credit, and above all, humility in policymaking.

Instead of a blanket ban, a more context-specific approach would involve zoning: identifying where these fast-growing species can be safely cultivated and where they should be restricted. But guidelines alone are not enough. A robust monitoring system involving forest officials, local administrations, and community members is essential to ensure adherence to zoning rules. Without such participatory oversight, even the most well-intentioned policies may falter.

In Bangladesh, trees are never just trees. They are instruments of state control, markers of class aspiration, and pillars of survival.

Eucalyptus and akashmoni once symbolised progress; now they represent excess. Teak exudes elite distinction; "indigenous" species invoke nationalist pride. What is needed is not a binary of "good" versus "bad" species, but an inclusive, reflexive forestry model—one that recognises past errors, embraces ecological complexity, and shares both risks and benefits more equitably.

Dr. Mohamed Abdul Baten specialises in environmental policy, resource governance, and neoliberal impacts on marginalised communities and is a faculty member at North South University.​

 

[Saif]

Hilsa scarcity: A wake-up call

Hilsa -- our national fish -- is not merely a delicacy or a market commodity; it is deeply embedded in Bangladesh's cultural identity, folklore, festivals, literature, and rural life. A plate of steaming rice with mustard Hilsa curry has long been a symbol of Bengali culinary pride. Yet, today, the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hilsa scarcity: A wake-up call

MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Jul 07, 2025 23:17
Updated :
Jul 07, 2025 23:17

Hilsa -- our national fish -- is not merely a delicacy or a market commodity; it is deeply embedded in Bangladesh's cultural identity, folklore, festivals, literature, and rural life. A plate of steaming rice with mustard Hilsa curry has long been a symbol of Bengali culinary pride. Yet, today, the same Hilsa that once swam abundantly in our rivers is becoming increasingly scarce, even during the peak fishing season. This scarcity is not only a matter of food supply or economy -- it is a national concern demanding immediate attention, scientific scrutiny, and a strong political will to address duly.

Despite being in the heart of the Hilsa season, the fish is notably absent from the markets. Following a two-month government-imposed fishing ban, it was expected that shoals of Hilsa would once again grace the rivers and coasts of Bangladesh. That optimism, however, has quickly dissolved. Fishermen from major Hilsa-producing zones like Bhola, Pirojpur, and Patharghata are returning with nearly empty nets. Once these waters teemed with life; now, they yield only disappointment and economic despair.

These fishermen, who once brought in baskets brimming with Hilsa, now often return with as few as four to five fish after a full day of labor. The traditional livelihood of thousands is under threat. The initial hope that lack of rainfall might be the sole cause has given way to deeper fears. Conversations with local communities and experts reveal that this is not a cyclical phenomenon; it is a systemic breakdown caused by climate, environmental mismanagement, and regulatory gaps.

According to the Department of Fisheries, the ongoing crisis is closely tied to climate change and rising temperatures. Hilsas are deep-water fish and tend to avoid surface water when temperatures soar above 30°C. This year, with much of Bangladesh enduring temperatures beyond 36°C, the Hilsa simply stayed hidden in the cooler depths, disrupting traditional fishing cycles. The combination of less rainfall and reduced river flow has further reduced the freshwater surge into the rivers -- a key trigger for Hilsa migration and breeding.

Compounding this problem is the gradual loss of river depth. Shoals and sandbars (locally called chars) have choked many of the major estuaries, particularly in the Barisal region which is home to seven major river mouths. Once the crucial gateways through which Hilsa would swim upstream, these estuaries are now being blocked by sedimentation and unregulated dredging.

The ecological disruption is worsened by indiscriminate industrial activities, especially around sensitive coastal areas. For instance, the coal-based power plant in Taltali, Barguna, has severely affected the Baleshwar, Bishkhali, and Payra rivers. The plant's construction required massive sand extraction, which destabilized the riverbeds and disrupted the delicate ecosystem of the region. Similar damage has been caused by the Payra power plant in the Buragauranga and Agunmukha river basins.

These power plants not only cause environmental degradation but also affect aquatic life through vibrations from heavy machinery and coal-carrying ships. When key migration and spawning routes are blocked or disturbed, Hilsa cannot complete their life cycle, resulting in declining catches.

Another striking issue is the lack of coordination between regional countries sharing the same ecosystem. In India, Hilsa breeding season is designated from mid-April to mid-June. However, in Bangladesh, it officially begins in mid-June and lasts until the end of August. Since both countries share the same maritime zones, such discrepancy is scientifically flawed and administratively dangerous. During Bangladesh's fishing ban, thousands of Indian trawlers are reported to enter Bangladeshi waters illegally, catching fish at a time when Bangladeshi fishermen are grounded. This not only undermines conservation efforts but also creates a serious economic imbalance.

One of the gravest threats to Hilsa stocks is the unchecked fishing of juvenile Hilsa, known locally as jatka. Despite the government's initiatives and regulations to prevent jatka harvesting, these baby fish are being sold openly in market under the misleading name "chapila." Millions of these juvenile Hilsa are being consumed before they can breed, severely hampering the natural regeneration cycle of the species. The authorities appear to be either under-resourced or unwilling to enforce the laws strictly.

More alarmingly, fishermen report the growing use of toxic chemicals to attract and catch fish in large quantities. This technique lures fish in bulk but kills them indiscriminately -- juveniles, adults, and even non-target species. Additionally, the use of destructive gear such as Chinese gill nets and stake nets is practically decimating Hilsa population.

Hilsa is not just a fish -- it is an economic pillar. The fish contributes over 1 per cent to the national GDP. From FY 2008-09, when Hilsa production stood at 299,000 metric tons, it climbed to 571,000 metric tons in FY 2022-23 -- an 83 per cent increase over 12 years. These gains were made possible through targeted government initiatives, including raising food aid (VGF) to fishermen during the off-season and enforcing seasonal bans.

In 2016, Hilsa received Geographical Indication (GI) status as a Bangladeshi product -- international recognition of its uniqueness and value. Yet all this progress is at risk if meaningful action is not taken immediately. Already, the price of Hilsa is rising due to limited supply. This not only burdens consumers but also widens the gap between demand and availability.

So, what needs to be done?

First, the dredging of rivers must be prioritised. Without ensuring navigability, Hilsa cannot migrate to spawn, and production will keep falling. Restoring the natural routes of Hilsa is critical not only for the fish but for thousands of dependent fishing families.

Second, enforcement of fishing regulations must be strict and unrelenting. Illegal fishing nets must be banned, and those using chemicals and banned gear must face prosecution. Simultaneously, the black-market trade in jatka under the guise of chapila must be destroyed through surveillance and public awareness.

Third, there must be regional policy harmonisation between Bangladesh and India. A joint management framework for Hilsa fishing and breeding seasons is essential for sustainable conservation.

Fourth, climate adaptation strategies must be integrated into fisheries policy. Research and forecasting tools should be improved to better understand temperature fluctuations, migration behaviors, and spawning timings.

Finally, industrial development must not come at the cost of river ecosystems. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) must be made mandatory and transparent for any riverine project. River safety, ecological balance, and fish migration corridors must be non-negotiable priorities in development planning.

The current scarcity of Hilsa in peak season is not a random natural event -- it is the product of policy failure, environmental mismanagement, and unchecked exploitation. Bangladesh must rise to the occasion to protect this national treasure before it's too late.

We owe it not only to our fishermen but to our future generations to ensure that Hilsa remains more than just a memory in our folklore, and continues to swim freely in the rivers that have nourished our land, people, and culture for centuries.​

 

[Saif]

Tackling the menace called air pollution

Our activities, including the production of energy, heat, industrial goods, food, and transport pollute the air that we breathe in. There is general consensus that hundreds of thousands of citizens die prematurely every year in different parts of the world due to air pollution. Environmenta

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tackling the menace called air pollution

Muhammad Zamir
Published :
Jul 07, 2025 23:02
Updated :
Jul 07, 2025 23:02

Our activities, including the production of energy, heat, industrial goods, food, and transport pollute the air that we breathe in. There is general consensus that hundreds of thousands of citizens die prematurely every year in different parts of the world due to air pollution. Environmental analysts have been underlining the fact that we are paying for poor air quality in increased disease-burden, cognitive decline and mental health, healthcare costs, productivity loss and lower GDP. The most affected are the vulnerable in our societies: children and the poor.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution enhances the risk of asthma, reduced lung function, respiratory infections and allergies in children and adolescents. A high presence of carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and Sulphur dioxide (SO2) pose significant risks to public health, resulting in morbidity and ultimately mortality. Heart disease, stroke, lung diseases and lung cancers are also attributed to air pollution. Studies also point to a link between exposure to air pollution and greater risks for diabetes, cognitive impairment, and neurological diseases.

Climate analysts have also underlined that the decision-makers have a tendency to ignore the synergies and co-benefits of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and air pollution together but not in a comprehensive manner. This may lead to unwanted consequences and costs.

The benefits of cleaner air and the environmental impact of air pollution for people, societies, and economies are often ignored within the paradigm of policymaking. They are quite often overlooked during the implementation of policy and investment decisions pertaining to energy, agriculture and industry. We need to take on this problem carefully in a coordinated manner and also with inter-active management, particularly with regard to investment.

In this context it may be noted that while energy savings, energy efficiency and the switch to renewables have gained attention, we have also seen a push to burn more domestic resources like coal and biomass to produce electricity and heat, with devastating impacts on the air we breathe. Promoting e-fuels and bio-fuels as alternatives to fossil fuels in road transport also ignores the pollution these solutions create.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), nearly 96 per cent of the EU urban population is exposed to fine matter above the health-based guidelines defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The EU's current revision of its rules on air quality, as set out in the proposed Ambient Air Quality Directive, has been identified as a concrete step towards cleaner air.

However, analysts have observed that achieving and implementing ambitious targets on air quality will require effort, especially by all EU member states, sub-national authorities, and those economic sectors that contribute to air pollution, including energy, mobility, agriculture, and industry. This will not be easy. It has been revealed that economic costs of air pollution equal 3 per cent of the GDP in Germany and 2 per cent of the GDP in France. Such a matrix should persuade the rest of the world, particularly Africa, Latin America and South Asia to monitor how the European Union is trying to solve this problem.

Cleaner air improves people's health and productivity. Bad air worsens them. We need to understand that available evidence leaves no doubt about how important the air we breathe is for workers' productivity. Air quality impacts the performance of individuals and the workforce. Sick people are less productive. Air pollution also contributes greatly to growing social inequalities. The uneven distribution of the health consequences of air pollution is closely tied to socio-demographic disparities. There is great evidence of this in South Asia.

We need to understand that preventable health problems, leading to early retirement, sick leave, and poor educational or work achievement, can only be translated as loss of money. When air pollutants cause damage to ecosystems, crop yields, forests, and buildings, it tends to devalue our natural-based assets, infrastructure, and real estate upon which our industry, agriculture, and social well-being depend.

Climatologists have observed that air pollution and global warming are entwined. Ozone, black carbon and methane contribute to air pollution and global warming. Extreme temperatures exacerbate negative impacts of ozone on public health. Air pollution and biodiversity

We need to remember that functioning ecosystems are vital for purifying the air we breathe and that air pollutants damage our ecosystems and biodiversity, which are crucial for sustaining life, fighting global warming, and safeguarding our economy.

Climate analysts and medical specialists have also observed that ground-level ozone (O3) - created when air pollutants (NOx, NH3, CO) mix - can damage crops, forests and other vegetation, impairing their growth and affecting biodiversity. Apparently, nitrogen compounds discharged into the air can also eventually end up in water causing eutrophication, an oversupply of nutrients, which can damage life and biodiversity. Sulphur and nitrogen oxides, emitted into the air, can also eventually cause acidification of soils and water, which can negatively affect biodiversity. Air pollution and climate change are closely intertwined. Certain air pollutants -- O3 and black carbon - contribute to global warming. Methane is both an air pollutant and a greenhouse gas that also contributes to the ozone formation. Climate change can also worsen the impacts of air pollution on the environment and people's health. Global warming further aggravates the impacts of air pollution on biodiversity as plants become more vulnerable and less resistant to the intrusion of ozone.

Mark Pointing, BBC climatologist has observed that the Earth could be doomed to breach the symbolic 1.5C warming limit in as little as three years at current levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Apparently, that is the blunt warning from more than 60 of the world's leading climate scientists in the most up-to-date assessment of the state of global warming.

It may be recalled that nearly 200 countries agreed to try to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C above levels in a landmark agreement in 2015, with the aim of avoiding some of the worst impacts of climate change. However, countries have continued to burn record amounts of coal, oil and gas and chop down carbon-rich forests - leaving that international goal in peril.

"Things are all moving in the wrong direction," noted Prof Piers Forster of the University of Leeds. "We are seeing some unprecedented changes and we're also seeing the heating of the Earth and sea-level rise accelerating as well. These changes have been predicted for some time and we can directly place them back to the very high level of emissions".

It may be recalled that at the beginning of 2020, scientists estimated that humanity could only emit 500 billion more tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) -- the most important planet-warming gas -- for a 50 per cent chance of keeping warming to 1.5C. However, by the start of 2025 this so-called "carbon budget" had shrunk to 130 billion tonnes, according to the new study. That reduction is largely due to continued record emissions of CO2 and other planet-warming greenhouse gases like methane, but also improvements in the scientific estimates. Climatologists in this context have indicated that if global CO2 emissions stay at their current highs of about 40 billion tonnes a year, 130 billion tonnes gives the world roughly three years until that carbon budget is exhausted. This could commit the world to breaching the target set by the Paris Agreement. It may be remembered that last year was the first on record when global average air temperatures had gone up more than 1.5 C above those of the late 1800s.

Human-caused warming was by far the main reason for last year's high temperatures. If emissions stay high, the planet is on track to reach 1.5C of warming on that metric around the year 2030.

In 2024, Asia's average temperature was about 1.04°C above the 1991-2020 average, ranking as the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the dataset. The warming trend between 1991 and 2024 was almost double that during the 1961 to 1990 period. The High-Mountain Asia (HMA) region, centred on the Tibetan Plateau, contains the largest volume of ice outside the Polar regions, with glaciers covering an area of approximately 100,000 square km. It is known as the world's Third Pole. Over the last several decades, most glaciers in this region have been retreating. This is increasing the risk of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

In 2024, most of the ocean area of Asia was affected by marine heat waves of strong, severe, or extreme intensity-the largest extent since records began in 1993. During August and September 2024, nearly 15 million square kilometers of the region's ocean were impacted-one-tenth of the Earth's entire ocean surface.

Perhaps the most noteworthy fact is the rate at which extra heat is accumulating in the Earth's climate system, known as "Earth's energy imbalance" in scientific jargon. Over the past decade or so, this rate of heating has been more than double that of the 1970s and 1980s and an estimated 25 per cent higher than the late 2000s and 2010s. Dr Matthew Palmer of the UK Met Office, associated with the University of Bristol has in this regard observed, "This is a really large number, a very worrying number" over such a short period. He has also observed that the recent evolution upwards is fundamentally due to greenhouse gas emissions. However, a reduction in the cooling effect from small particles called aerosols has also played a role. It has also been mentioned that some of the extra energy goes into warming the land, raising air temperatures, and melting the world's ice and about 90 per cent of the excess heat is taken up by the oceans. This is leading to disruption for marine life, higher sea levels, warmer ocean waters and melting of glaciers. Such a scenario has led to increase in the rate of global sea-level rise, which has doubled since the 1990s, raising the risks of flooding for millions of people living in coastal areas worldwide.

Environmental analyst Professor Rogelj has candidly noted that "reductions in emissions over the next decade can critically change the rate of warming. Every fraction of warming that we can avoid will result in less harm and less suffering of particularly poor and vulnerable populations and less challenges for our societies to live the lives that we desire."

We in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh, need to understand the deteriorating climate situation and take necessary measures in this regard. We have to also comprehend that the Paris observations were based on strong scientific evidence and were a warning that needs to be carefully followed for geo-strategic reasons.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.​

 

[Saif]

Reversing the decline of Dhaka's canals

Any flood flow and sub-flood flow zones must be protected.

www.thedailystar.net

Reversing the decline of Dhaka's canals

Cover of the book, Dhaka’s Canals on Their Dying Breath.

Water is vital to any city's development, shaping its identity, culture, and future. Dhaka, once intricately linked by its canals, rivers, and wetlands, has lost the natural connection. Rapid and unplanned urban growth, illegal occupation, and neglect have led to the disappearance of many water bodies, making the city prone to flooding, waterlogging, and environmental issues.

The book, Dhaka's Canals on Their Dying Breath, by journalist Helemul Alam, is more than just a historical account; it's a passionate appeal for change. With a thorough investigation and a deep appreciation for nature, Alam uncovers the stories behind the disappearance of Dhaka's canals, highlighting the severe consequences of their loss.

His detailed reporting, combined with personal insights, offers a vivid portrayal of the past, present, and potential future of these water systems. The book emphasises the urgency of protecting and restoring canals through environmentally conscious urban planning, making it an essential read for planners, policymakers, environmentalists, and concerned citizens alike.

In his previous work, Oasis Lost to Urban Sprawl (2023), Alam explored the neglect of Dhaka's ponds. This latest book sheds light on what have led to the decay of the city's water infrastructure and the environmental challenges Dhaka now faces as a result. It outlines how the destruction of natural drainage has turned rain, once a blessing, into a cause of urban distress. Crucially, it looks ahead, proposing realistic and sustainable solutions. And offers strategies for restoring lost water channels, repairing drainage systems, and guiding urban development to be more in tune with nature. Drawing on case studies and expert opinions, the book provides actionable ideas for building a more resilient and sustainable Dhaka.

The author has realistically depicted Dhaka's waterlogging, its causes and consequences. According to him, "In Dhaka, rain brings chaos. Streets become submerged, water invades homes in low-lying areas, and life in the capital slows to a frustrating crawl." He argues that the reasons behind this mess are: canal encroachment, ignored and poor urban solutions. Therefore, once the lifeline of Dhaka, the city's canals are now mere shadows of their former selves—clogged with pollution, suffocated by encroachment, and neglected due to flawed urban planning.

Alam also pointed out that the water retention ponds, originally designed to rescue Dhaka from floods, are now in need of rescue themselves. These basins, meant for stormwater management, are shrinking rapidly due to encroachments, unplanned urbanisation, and government neglect.

The book reveals that the efforts of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) to reinforce canals with concrete U-channels have made things worse. These structures have narrowed the canals, therefore reducing their capacity to carry water. Additionally, the original canal boundaries were not maintained, encouraging further encroachment. Additionally, the construction of embankments has cut natural connections between canals and rivers, including the Buriganga and Turag. This separation has disrupted the natural water flow and damaged the city's drainage system. The author warns that without immediate and sustained intervention, the waterlogging crisis will worsen, as climate change means the city may experience unusually high rainfall at any time.

To reverse this crisis, any flood flow and sub-flood flow zones must be protected. Box culverts should be turned back into open canals where possible. And reviving Dhaka's canals will require restoring their connectivity with rivers, the book argues. Once linked to the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Shitalakhya rivers, the canals seamlessly transported excess water.

Protecting retention ponds, recovering canals, and maintaining drainage networks—both surface and stormwater—are crucial to reducing waterlogging. By and large, Alam urges us to take a holistic approach to recover our water channels and waterbodies.

As the city continues to grow, this book stands as both a warning and a guide. It calls on citizens, planners, and decision-makers to reconsider how waterbodies fit into urban life. By adopting greener strategies, Dhaka can reclaim its waterways and build a healthier future in harmony with nature. In a time when cities around the world are learning to live with water rather than fight it, Helemul Alam's work reminds us of what's possible. It encourages us to reflect on our relationship with water and inspires hope that, through collective will and smart planning, Dhaka can move toward a more water-sensitive future.

Dr Adil Mohammed Khan is professor of Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners and director of Institute for Planning and Development.​

 

[Saif]

We need long-term climate solutions

Flash floods reignite call for measures beyond quick fixes or relief operations

www.thedailystar.net

We need long-term climate solutions
Flash floods reignite call for measures beyond quick fixes or relief operations

VISUAL: STAR

Flash floods, waterlogging, and landslide risks have once again disrupted many lives and livelihoods as heavy rain lashed a number of districts across the country. In Feni, breaches in embankments along the Muhuri, Selonia, and Kohua rivers have reportedly triggered flash floods, marooning thousands and submerging at least 30 villages. Meanwhile, urban areas in Patuakhali, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Noakhali, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati are suffering from severe waterlogging, while crops and vegetable fields in rural areas have been damaged. Landslide warnings have also been issued in the broader region of Chattogram.

While we cannot stop nature from taking its own course, effective preparations could have significantly reduced the extent of the damage. This should have been prioritised especially after last year's devastating floods in the southeast. At the time, political instability and disrupted local governance hampered relief efforts. Now, with a more stable administration in place, timely and efficient flood response is expected. Yet, in places like Feni, locals are dissatisfied with the preventive actions taken so far, particularly the lack of sturdy embankments and the maintenance of existing ones. Though some repairs were carried out since last year, people rightly expect permanent, not piecemeal, solutions. In Noakhali municipality, no substantial initiative to tackle waterlogging has been taken. The local administration cites lack of funds as the reason for not repairing its drainage system since last year's disaster, which is troubling given the recurrent nature of these events.

Though the situation may ease if rainfall subsides, local authorities must remain ready to provide immediate support to affected communities. More importantly, long-term measures are essential to protect people from recurring climate-driven disasters. We are told that at an Advisory Council meeting held on Thursday, discussions were held on building climate-resilient infrastructure and mobilising funds for sustainable solutions. We urge the government to expedite the implementation of these projects. At the same time, we must continue to advocate for a fair share of international climate finance to ease our burdens. That said, the government must also ensure transparency and regular public updates on the use of the domestic flood relief fund launched last year.

Additionally, environmental destruction—such as rampant hill cutting, unchecked sand extraction from rivers, and encroachment on canals—must be stopped to reduce the impact of natural calamities. Climate change is already amplifying the frequency and intensity of these events. Without long-term planning, robust infrastructure, and strong environmental protection, we will continue to suffer the same fate every monsoon.​

 

[Saif]

Rizwana for alternative livelihoods, sustainable planning to protect Saint Martin's Island

Rizwana made the remarks while presiding over a meeting held at the Department of Environment in Agargaon here, a ministry press release said.

en.prothomalo.com

Rizwana for alternative livelihoods, sustainable planning to protect Saint Martin's Island

BSS Dhaka
Published: 12 Jul 2025, 21: 59

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaks at a meeting at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka on 12 July 2025.PID

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday said the incumbent government is emphasising integrated planning and environment-friendly alternative livelihoods to protect the endangered Saint Martin's Island.

She said improving the quality of life for the island's local people is an essential part of the conservation strategy.

Rizwana made the remarks while presiding over a meeting held at the Department of Environment in Agargaon here, a ministry press release said.

The meeting focused on developing strategies for conserving the island's ecosystem and biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for its residents.

The environment adviser highlighted that poor agriculture families would receive support for cultivating salt- and climate-resilient vegetables and crops.

Initiatives will include training, demonstration programmes, and technical assistance, she said, adding support will also be provided for compost and vermicompost production.

"Training will be offered on organic pest control in coconut cultivation, along with assistance for poultry and livestock farming and establishing small home nurseries," she said.

Rizwana further announced that food assistance would be increased during the fishing ban period.

Fisherfolk will receive sustainable fishing equipment, including eco-friendly nets, she said.

The environment adviser said skill development programmes will be introduced for tailoring, cap making, midwifery, and trades like computer operations, motor driving, boat navigation, electronics, and hotel management.

She said local youths will be trained as tourist guides, and a group of "Environment Guards" will be formed and trained to support conservation efforts.

PowerPoint presentations were made at the meeting on four key areas: "Studies and Planning," "Environment-Friendly Alternative Livelihood Project," "Eco-Tourism Development Proposal," and "Sustainable Solid Waste Management Plan."

Detailed discussions were held, and it was unanimously decided to formulate a sustainable plan to protect the biodiversity of Saint Martin's Island.

Notable attendees included Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment; Additional Secretaries Md. Navid Shafiullah, Fahmida Khanom and Md. Khayrul Hasan; Director General of the Department of Environment Md Kamruzzaman; and Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury.

Representatives from the Coast Guard, Tourist Police, CEGIS, Department of Fisheries, and various other public and private organidations also participated.​

 

[Saif]

Climate vulnerability should be prioritised in dev programmes

My work with the environment and rivers often takes me to remote areas across different regions of the country. I’ve seen up close how climate change is making life unbearable for people in these areas. That’s what made me realise why these places need greater government attention. While...

en.prothomalo.com

Climate vulnerability should be prioritised in dev programmes

Tuhin Wadud
Published: 15 Jul 2025, 08: 05

There is also significant disparity in the number of capable individuals at the district level when it comes to tackling the impacts of climate change File photo

My work with the environment and rivers often takes me to remote areas across different regions of the country. I’ve seen up close how climate change is making life unbearable for people in these areas. That’s what made me realise why these places need greater government attention. While studying the allocation of government resources in areas affected by climate change, I came to learn about the term "climate vulnerability".

I learned from a government circular issued by the local government ministry that to ensure appropriate development allocations for climate-affected areas, the government has introduced an initiative called the Climate Vulnerability Index. This initiative has been strategically supported and advanced by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the UNDP’s Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project.


There had been no such initiative before. This programme marks the beginning of such efforts. The government’s circular also mentioned that the project was launched under this initiative. It is a commendable and praiseworthy step. However, after searching online and speaking with a few individuals working on disaster relief allocations, I found that this initiative has not received much publicity.

The LoGIC project, implemented under the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD), is a joint initiative of the Government of Bangladesh, Sweden, Denmark, UNCDF, and UNDP.

Shortly after the interim government took office, it launched a very positive initiative for areas affected by climate change. On 26 September last year, a directive was issued by amending the Union Parishad Development Assistance Utilisation Guidelines 2021.

The amendment stated that to enhance the adaptive capacity of highly climate-vulnerable areas in response to the adverse impacts of climate change, and in determining the general allocation for local government institutions, climate vulnerability will be considered a key indicator alongside area, population, and underdevelopment.

In our country, there is no special allocation for people in crisis due to natural causes. The minimal general allocations that exist often fail to reach the most affected areas because of power dynamics, influence and a flawed allocation system.

It outlines that specific percentages of funds should be allocated based on climate vulnerability at the city corporation, municipality, upazila, and union levels.

This initiative should have been taken much earlier. Since it wasn’t, the current government’s amendment of the guidelines is a welcome move. However, such need-based and people-focused considerations should not be limited to local government allocations alone. It is essential that they guide all resource allocations across the board.

According to a government circular, in the 2021 guidelines, 75 per cent of the allocation for Union Parishads was distributed based on area and population. In a revision made in September 2024, that distribution was changed. Now, of the 75 per cent share, 40 per cent is based on area, 30 per cent on population, and 30 per cent on the Climate Vulnerability Index of the Union Parishad. The percentages vary across different tiers of the Local Government Division’s institutions. Close attention must also be paid to how effectively this revised policy is being implemented at the Union Parishad level.

In Bangladesh, development needs are not the same across city corporations, pourashavas (municipalities), upazilas or unions. Climate change and its impacts further diversify these needs. From division to district to individual union, the disparities in needs are significant. Many unions are partially or entirely riverine while others lie along the seacoast.
Some areas are hilly.

In the Rajshahi region, many places face water shortage during the dry season. In many coastal areas, access to safe drinking water is scarce. The challenges in hilly areas are different. Some places are ravaged by drought, others by floods.

Certain regions of the country experience flooding multiple times a year while others are never affected. When upstream India releases water into the rivers, people along some riverbanks face sudden suffering. There are also areas heavily affected by river erosion. Every year, thousands of homes are swallowed by rivers in the same locations. Hundreds of thousands are displaced annually and migrate to different parts of the country. The government does nothing for those who lose their homes to river erosion.

Cities through which rivers flow also face severe pollution. In short, the needs to cope with climate impacts vary widely across the country. Drought is worsening in some areas, while others are experiencing colder winters. Rivers are being destroyed continuously, and as a result, the environment is becoming increasingly endangered.

In our country, there is no special allocation for people in crisis due to natural causes. The minimal general allocations that exist often fail to reach the most affected areas because of power dynamics, influence and a flawed allocation system. If funds were disbursed based on the nature and severity of the problems, the most vulnerable people would benefit significantly. Even the small emergency allocations provided during extreme crises tend to be inadequate.

The city corporations, municipalities, upazilas and unions have been grouped into different categories, but the basis for this classification is unclear to me. Some districts that do not experience floods or do not need urgent climate adaptation still receive allocations, while other genuinely vulnerable areas receive less support.

Back in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I asked the state minister for disaster management and relief, Enamur Rahman, on a television talk show what criteria had been used to classify the districts. He was unable to provide a clear answer. I also asked him why there was such extreme disparity in rice allocations for the poor during the pandemic. Again, there was no satisfactory explanation.

In some districts, the number of poor people is around 60,000. In others, it's over two million. Similarly, the number of individuals able to cope with climate impacts varies greatly from district to district. These disparities must be taken into account in allocation decisions. But during the pandemic, rice allocations were made without considering poverty levels.

As a result, it was found that poor people in Munshiganj and Narsingdi received nearly three maunds (about 120 kg) of rice per person, while in Kurigram and Dinajpur, they received only four to five kilograms. This happened because districts were classified solely based on population and area. The lack of disaster-related statistics meant the government treated all districts the same, leading to such inequities in allocation.

Many ministries are involved in addressing climate vulnerability, such as the ministry of water resources and the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Policies like this need to be introduced for their work in this regard. In several districts of Rangpur division, there are no measures in place to prevent erosion along the Teesta River.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of people living on both banks of the river are becoming homeless. Due to the absence of a comparative policy based on urgency, the government has allocated funds for work on the Ghaghot River, which is relatively less damaging, rather than on the Teesta. Yet, had that money been spent on the Teesta, it would have benefited many more people.​

 

[Saif]

Plastic dependency: The environmental cost of food delivery in Bangladesh

The unchecked use of single-use plastic in food delivery is a matter of concern.

www.thedailystar.net

Plastic dependency: The environmental cost of food delivery in Bangladesh

It is high time to check the growth of the single-use plastic sector to avoid environmental degradation and promote public health. PHOTO: FREEPIK

Over the last couple of years, cities in Bangladesh have seen a rapid growth in online food delivery services. From local catering houses to global fast food chains, everything is a matter of a tap away. However, the unchecked use of single-use plastic in food delivery is a matter of concern.

Multiple layers of plastic, including containers, cutlery, sauce sachets, and plastic bags, are used in packaging during the delivery of the meals. In Dhaka, thousands of orders for daily meals are a usual scenario. Food packed in plastic package contributes to worsening environmental degradation. According to Somoy TV, 30,000 tonnes of solid waste are generated on a daily basis in the country, where 10 percent is single-use plastic.

The business model of food delivery platforms primarily relies on the use of plastic, particularly cheap plastic containers, to minimise costs. Few businesses have experimented with eco-friendly paper boxes or biodegradable packaging, which are associated with high production costs and limited suppliers.

Moreover, the current business regulations in the country do not include special incentives for entrepreneurs who offer food in eco-friendly paper boxes or biodegradable packaging.

If we look at the global lesson, we see that India and Indonesia have already piloted the "Green Delivery" business model for food delivery with biodegradable packaging. In contrast, Bangladesh has made very little progress in regulating single-use plastic in the digital food economy. The country declared a complete ban on using polybags in 2002. However, single-use plastic was not included in the ban. The legal vacuum encouraged the growth of the single-use plastic sector.

However, can biodegradable alternatives cover the demand? Some socially responsible businesspeople have started using biodegradable packaging made from jute, bagasse, and cornstarch. This initiative is considered an emerging market in Bangladesh, but scaling up is a challenge due to prices that are several times higher than traditional plastic packaging. There is also a lack of government subsidies, tax relief, and public-private partnerships.

The government, private sector, and consumers altogether need to put a coordinated effort to address this issue. The government can review the existing laws and regulations. It should also create accountability for businesses by imposing mandatory reporting to the relevant departments. Incentives and lower taxation can promote biodegradable packaging in food delivery. Food delivery platforms should introduce themselves as socially responsible businesses by providing biodegradable packaging and educating other franchises about sustainable practices. People's consumption habits need to be shifted towards green delivery. The Bangladesh Bank nowadays encourages start-up businesses targeting the young generations. They can provide incubation and investment support for affordable biodegradable packaging.

The food delivery in our cities reflects the digital food economy progress as well as the urban transformation. It is now high time to check the growth of the single-use plastic sector to avoid environmental degradation and promote public health. The path is not easy, but redefining sustainability is crucial, considering that it is an integral part of how we eat, deliver, and live.

Md. Ziaul Hoque is a PhD fellow at the University of Chittagong and a development practitioner.​

 

[Saif]

World risks up to $39 trillion in economic losses from vanishing wetlands, report says

The global destruction of wetlands, which support fisheries, agriculture and flood control, may mean the loss of $39 trillion in economic benefits by 2050, according to a report by the Convention on Wetlands released on Tuesday. Some 22 per cent of wetlands, both freshwater systems such as peat la

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

World risks up to $39 trillion in economic losses from vanishing wetlands, report says

REUTERS
Published :
Jul 16, 2025 10:11Wo
Updated :
Jul 16, 2025 10:16

A drone view shows turf from Derryrush bog left out to dry after being harvested from the blanket bog, in Derryrush, Ireland on April 22, 2024. Ireland's bogs were formed over thousands of years as decaying plants formed a thick layer of peat in wetland areas — Reuters/File

The global destruction of wetlands, which support fisheries, agriculture and flood control, may mean the loss of $39 trillion in economic benefits by 2050, according to a report by the Convention on Wetlands released on Tuesday.

Some 22 per cent of wetlands, both freshwater systems such as peat lands, rivers and lakes, and coastal marine systems including mangroves and coral reefs, have disappeared since 1970, according to the intergovernmental report, the fastest pace of loss of any ecosystem.

Pressures, including land-use change, pollution, agricultural expansion, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change - such as rising sea levels and drought - are driving the declines.

"The scale of loss and degradationis beyond what we can afford to ignore," said Hugh Robertson, the lead author of the report.

The report called for annual investments of $275 billion to $550 billion to reverse the threats to the remaining wetlands, and said current spending was a "substantial under-investment" without giving figures.

The world has lost 411 million hectares of wetlands, the equivalent of half a billion football pitches, and a quarter of the remaining wetlands are now classified as in a state of degradation, according to the report.

Wetlands' economic benefits include flood regulation, water purification and carbon storage - key as water levels rise and tropical storms and hurricanes intensify due to climate change.

They also support the fishery and agriculture industries and offer cultural benefits.

The report launches a week before the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, meeting of the parties of the Convention on Wetlands, a global agreement of 172 countries signed in 1971 to spearhead preservation of the ecosystem.

The group, which includes China, Russia and the United States, meets every three years, but it is unclear if all nations will send delegates.

Wetland deterioration is particularly acute in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, but is worsening in Europe and North America, the report said.

Rehabilitation projects are underway in countries including Zambia, Cambodia and China.​