An online National Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Disaster Risk on the Southwest Coast was organized on demanding permanent and sustainable embankments in coastal areas. The event was organized by LEDARS and Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement on June 2, 2021 addressing disaster risk management causing by climate change and natural disasters in these areas.
In the Dialogue the chief guest was Honorable Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Mr. Md. Shahab Uddin, Member of Parliament, the special guest was Honorable Deputy Minister of Ministry of Water Resources Mr. AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Member of Parliament. The Coordinator of Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Mr. Nikhil Chandra Bhadra moderated the event and Mr. Mohan Kumar Mandal, Executive Director, LEDARS presented the keynote article in this program. Honorable Member of Parliament for Satkhira-3 and former Health Minister A.F.M. Ruhul Haque, Honorable Member of Parliament for Khulna-6 Md. Akhtaruzzaman Babu, Honorable Member of Parliament Advocate Gloria Jharna Sarkar, ) Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), different national level media, Representative of CSO delivered their speech in the dialogue. The special guest said, “All the projects that have been undertaken for sustainable embankment are waiting for the approval of ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council is an executive committee under the Cabinet Division of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh)”. He confirmed that the project would be launched within the next one year and said that the Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina had given direct instructions in this regard. The chief guest said, “Natural disasters are a daily incidence in Bangladesh. The south-west coast was suffering by Aila which results in the destruction of resources. The coastal area also faced water crisis along with other crises due to cyclone Amphan. The government has undertaken various activities to build the Bangabandhu’s dream Bangladesh. The government has budgeted $ 3 million (US Dollar) for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan. Besides, a few more projects are being undertaken”. He added that special initiatives have been taken to develop not only the embankment but also the entire coast. He promised to solve the Sundarbans and river protection, drinking water problem and other problems. He agreed to build a sustainable embankment on the advice of experts.
