Tk 2,523.5 cr programme to conserve biodiversity

The government has planned a Tk 2,523.5 crore programme to conserve the country’s biodiversity with special focus on forests, wildlife, coastal, hilly and agro ecosystems, much of which is on the wane.
The ten-year plan has been revealed in the “Biodiversity National Assessment and Programme of Action (BNAPA) 2020″ prepared by the Department of Environment.
State Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Hasan Mahmud officially unveiled the document at a ceremony in the city’s LGED auditorium yesterday.
BNAPA 2020 has been prepared to fulfil Bangladesh’s commitment towards the implementation of UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
According to the document, there has been degradation of biodiversity because of enormous population pressure on natural resources like soil, water and forest ecosystems.
It said, forest coverage in the Madhupur Tract was 8,875 hectares in 1967 while it came down to 3879 hectares in 2007. Besides, human settlements with vegetation there was on 545 hectares in 1989, which increased to 1165 hectares in 2007.
The general trends in the Sundarbans indicate the reduction of important tree species like the Sundari and Gewa and increase of smaller tree species.
“Species are disappearing at a rate of 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal and the threat like global climate change will significantly accelerate biodiversity loss,” said Dr Mahmud while addressing the ceremony as the chief guest.
So far a conception remained dominant that everything around people is meant for human consumption. However, the idea is changing nowadays, meaning that human beings have to take care of Mother Nature. “Otherwise, we human beings will be endangered species,” said the state minister.
According to official statistics, Bangladesh has 8.44 million hectares of cultivable land, but agriculturists persistently said unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation are eating up farmland.
Referring to the rapid decline of agricultural land, Dr Mahmud said the government mulls framing a rule to make it binding for anyone building structures, including houses, in the villages must take prior permission from the authorities concerned.
He also said farmers and scientists are doing enough to feed the increasing population, but if there is shortage of cultivable land, there will be no way left to produce crops and help the people survive.
“It is a matter of pride that Bangladesh is one of the first three countries that prepared this document, but such plans can bring no results unless these are implemented effectively,” said Dr Mahmud.
Biodiversity target national assessment Project Director Solaiman Haider presented the keynote on BNAPA 2020.
UNDP Acting Country Representative Aminul Islam, Department of Environment Director General Monowar Islam, ndc, its Additional Director General Abdus Sobhan, Chief Conservator of Forests Abdul Mutalib also addressed the programme.

Courtesy of The Daily Star