Climate Parliament Bangladesh, a forum of legislators on climate change, would press the Prime Minister to construct a Char Development Board or Char Development Authority to enhance the living standards of the people in the char zones. They hope that if an independent institutional entity named ‘Char Development Board’ is constituted, it will be feasible to coordinate and implement the development activities of the people in the char areas properly.
The speakers delivered the views at an exchange meeting on ‘Climate Talk’ at the Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Room on Thursday (October 8th) (October 8th). The meeting was chaired by Climate Parliament Bangladesh Chairperson Tanvir Shakil Joy.
Speakers at the conference stated 4 lakh inhabitants of Gaibandha Sadar, Sundarganj, Fulchhari and Saghata Upazilas have lost everything due to the erosion of the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Jamuna rivers. Although the national budget gives for the development of the people of Char every year, it is not able to use the allocated money appropriately.
Convener of Climate Parliament Bangladesh Nahim Razzak MP said that the members of Climate Parliament Bangladesh will submit a demand to the Prime Minister in Parliament to form a Char Development Board.
The speakers also mentioned that due to the increase in temperature due to climate change, crops are being damaged due to numerous illnesses and drought. Development of sluice gates for drainage, piling to avoid erosion, river dredging and embankment maintenance, digging of canals for drainage of bells, construction of groves to prevent river erosion and construction of khasjam to prevent the relocation of displaced people in river erosion. Acceptance is demanded.
Emphasizing on climate good governance, Gaibandha-1 MP Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari stated Bangladesh emits relatively little carbon. But Bangladesh is one of the countries that are at risk for climate disaster. Especially the underprivileged people in the coastal areas of our country are suffering owing to natural calamities such river erosion, sea-level rise, salt increase, tidal surges, tornadoes, floods etc. As a result, individuals are losing their employment and the likelihood of climate migration is increasing. In reaction to this situation, he stressed on taking revenue-generating projects for the community, promotion of tourism as well as the formation of char boards.
