The government is planning to formulate a law restricting wholesale felling of trees as part of its policy to mitigate climate change, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed has said.
“There could be a provision that two trees have to be planted if one fells one tree,” he said, emphasising that the environment must be protected to save mankind.
Shafique was addressing the launching of a report on climate change discourses in Bangladesh at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday as the chief guest.
Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), a local NGO, came up with the report.
The minister observed that although no major research has been done to assess the impact of climate change on Bangladesh, the reality is, country’s food production, water resources, health and livelihoods are already being affected and will continue to be affected.
This is all because the industrialised countries have emitted too much of carbon, he said, adding, the government is “very much aware” of this, and is working to address the adversities.
Dr Mihir Kanti Majumder, environment secretary, said the government has already taken a number of initiatives including drawing up a strategic plan of action on climate change and creating an adaptation fund.
DSK consultant AKM Mamunur Rashid said the poor people — farmers, farm workers, the landless and fishermen — will be affected most by the climate change.
It is, therefore, imperative that the finances are best used for the victims and that the intermediaries do not eat up the big portion of the money, he said.
“Decisions on the policies, programmes and eligibility procedures concerning the adaptation fund must be expedited to provide additional resources required by Bangladesh for climate adaptation,” Rashid said.
DSK called for the global and national action to protect the forests of Bangladesh given their significance in fighting climate change effects.
It also demanded full integration of climate change issues into economic planning and management at both national and regional levels.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon General Secretary Dr MA Matin said it is vital to monitor that the money Bangladesh will get to mitigate climate change are not misused by corrupt politicians or bureaucrats.
DSK Chairman Dr ABM Abdullah, Executive Director Dibalok Singha, DanChurchAid South Asia Regional Representative Nina Iiona Ellinger, journalists Pranab Saha and Abu Jafar Surya, among others, also spoke at the programme.
