Civil society criticizes lack of climate integration

Staff Correspondent: Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) on Saturday has organized a seminar in National Press Club title “Post Paris Implications: Priority Actions for Climate Adaptation in National Budget and Planning”.

In the programme, speakers emphasized for separate institutions and priority allocation to take critical infrastructure to protect coastal lands and its people.  

The seminar was chaired by Dr Ahsan Uddin of CGC, Chief Guest of the seminar was Mr AKM Jahangir MP  and Ex Minister. The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdury of EquityBD. Key note presentation was given by Syed Aminul Haque of EquityBD, other speakers of the seminar were, Mr AKM Sajahan Kamal MP from Lakshmipur, Advocate Tipu Sultan MP from Barisal, and Mr. Mir Mostaq Ahmed Robi MP from Sathkhira.

Sayed Aminul Haque of EquityBD in his key note presentation mentioned that, poverty definitaiton need to be changed in view of per capita has increased and new dimension of climate vulnerability has increased what India recently did. Seventh five year plan (7th FYP) being prepared without any such vulnerability analysis and there by climate adaptation in sectoral panning.

There are hardly any allocation for embankment from the national exchequer, govt is relying on loan money for this solely from World Bank and Asian Dev Bank. Mr Sajahan Kamal, Advocate Tipu Sultan and Mir Mostaq Ahmed all three MPs pleaded for separate institution like char or coastal board or separate ministry for protecting coastal people. Syed Jahangir Masum of CDP demand a separate land use planning for coastal areas. Mr. Shamsuddoha mentioned that protecting coastal people from displacement in not only a human right but also a justice issue.  Dr. Khalid Hossain of CCDB demands that, there should be coordination among all climate strategic plans.

risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 23, 2016/Amirul/Nasim