United News of Bangladesh

The lush green hills of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), known for their dense forests, flowing streams and rich biodiversity, are increasingly facing the harsh realities of climate change and environmental degradation. Deforestation, drying water sources, soil erosion and deadly landslides have become recurring threats in three hill districts -Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, prompting the government to roll out a series of initiatives aimed at restoring ecological balance and strengthening climate resilience. According to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, extensive afforestation programmes, watershed management activities and climate-resilient infrastructure projects have been taken to address mounting environmental vulnerabilities. Officials say the initiatives are designed not only to restore degraded forests and protect hill slopes, but also to safeguard the livelihoods of indigenous communities whose lives remain closely tied to the fragile hill ecosystem. Under the government’s Election Manifesto 2026, authorities have set targets to plant thousands of fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal saplings during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The ministry said 80,000 saplings will be planted in Rangamati, 82,250 in Khagrachhari and another 100,000 in Bandarban as part of the afforestation drive. Besides,  the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board has launched a broader plantation programme under the Prime Minister’s “One Child, One Tree” pledge, which forms part of a nationwide initiative to plant 2.5 billion trees over five years. Under the scheme, the board plans to plant 500,000 trees across 26 upazilas in the three hill districts over the next five years. Activities to plant 25,000 trees have already begun during the current fiscal year, according to official documents. Authorities believe the plantation drives will help stabilise vulnerable hill slopes, restore degraded forest areas and reduce the growing risks posed by climate-induced disasters.  

A Japanese variety of sweet potato known as Okinawa is steadily transforming the fortunes of farmers in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, as growing consumer demand and high yields turn the crop into a promising superfood. Although cultivation began on an experimental basis about three years ago, this season recorded nearly 30 bighas cultivation of Okinawa sweet potato in char areas and fallow lands. Farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and health-conscious consumers are increasingly showing interest in the crop because of its profitability and nutritional value. Farmers in Sunamganj haor region worried over cattle feed shortage after crop loss Sweet potatoes are currently cultivated on about 255 hectares of land in Nabinagar upazila. Around 20 farmers in Natghar, Nabinagar West, Satmora, Barikandi and Birgaon unions are now producing the Okinawa variety, signalling the beginning of what could become a lucrative new crop for the area. Local farmers said the Okinawa variety produces significantly higher yields than traditional local sweet potatoes. Production can exceed 100 maunds per bigha, while the crop also offers better storage capacity and greater resistance to pests and diseases. According to farmers, more than three maunds of sweet potatoes can be harvested from each decimal of land, around one and a half times higher than many local varieties. The tubers are larger in size and more visually appealing, making them attractive in the market. The sweet potato, when boiled or roasted, reveals a distinctive yellow interior with a naturally sweet taste and soft texture. Consumers say slow cooking enhances its flavour, while chilling after boiling further intensifies its sweetness. Nutrition experts say the crop is widely misunderstood in terms of its impact on blood sugar. With a relatively low glycaemic index, Okinawa sweet potatoes can be consumed in moderation even by diabetic patients. They are also rich in antioxidants, dietary fibre and vitamin A, supporting digestion, eye health and long-term energy release. The variety is closely associated with Japan’s Okinawa region, known globally for longevity and healthy diets, which has contributed to its branding as a superfood in international markets. Farmers in Nabinagar say the crop has already begun improving their incomes. Nur Mohammad of Barikandi village said he started cultivation after receiving training from the Department of Agriculture Extension and collecting vines through local officials. “Last year, I cultivated it on 20 decimals of land and harvested around 65 maunds,” he said. Another farmer, Kamal Mia of Darilapang village under Nabinagar West union, said he has been cultivating the crop for two consecutive years on three bighas of land. “The yield is high, demand is strong, and the price is good. We get around 120 maunds per bigha. It is profitable due to low production costs, so I plan to expand cultivation further,” he said. Officials say interest in the crop is growing steadily. Nabinagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Jahangir Alam Liton said farmers are increasingly adopting the variety due to its profitability and market demand. He said initiatives are underway to expand cultivation further through training programmes and vine production, with a target of bringing 100 bighas under Okinawa sweet potato cultivation next season. However, challenges remain in post-harvest management. Deputy Director of Brahmanbaria DAE Dr Mostafa Imran Hossain said Bangladesh still lacks adequate storage facilities for sweet potatoes. He stressed that the development of proper storage systems and agro-processing industries could ensure fair prices for farmers and year-round availability for consumers.

With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, cattle smuggling syndicates have intensified their operations along the Dowarabazar border, allegedly using registered and unregistered dairy farms as temporary transit camps for smuggled Indian cattle. Locals said smuggling syndicates have become increasingly active around the border-adjacent Bogla Bazar, Narsingpur and Banglabazar cattle markets, where large consignments of Indian cattle are allegedly being moved under the cover of darkness. Farmers in Sunamganj haor region worried over cattle feed shortage after crop loss According to allegations, several establishments in the Boglabazar area have been registered as cattle farms, but are being used as temporary holding centres for incoming cattle at night in exchange for fees ranging between Tk 200 and Tk 500 per animal. A field visit reportedly found little evidence of regular livestock rearing activities during the day, with locals claiming that while fodder is kept for appearance, the facilities remain largely inactive until nightfall when cattle are brought in and later moved out before dawn. Several residents, requesting anonymity, said there are eight farms in the area, of which four are registered and four are unregistered, and that a portion of these are being used as safe shelters for smuggled cattle entering through the border. A local trader said cattle are brought into the farms at night and removed early in the morning, creating instability in local cattle markets. Locals further alleged that the misuse of farm licences for such activities poses a threat not only to illegal trade control but also to law and order in the border region, calling for stricter monitoring by the administration. They also claimed that despite repeated reports and discussions in district law and order meetings, including one held on May 9, no visible progress has been made in curbing cattle smuggling or monitoring farm activities effectively. Giant bulls ‘Kala Babu’, ‘Dhala Babu’ steal Eid spotlight in Thakurgaon Earlier, on April 30, 2025, a 28 BGB task force seized a steel-bodied boat carrying 90 cattle worth around Tk 10 million from the Surma River in Sunamganj town following a tip-off, and filed a case in connection with the incident. Farm owners, however, denied involvement in illegal activities, saying cattle brought in are owned by traders who temporarily keep them at the farms before distribution. Dowarabazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arup Ratan Singha said farm permissions were granted under regulations and directed the livestock department to investigate the matter, adding that legal action will be taken if any irregularities are found. Sirajganj farmers gear up for Eid cattle trade with over 617,000 sacrificial animals Doarabazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tariqul Islam said the matter is under observation and legal action will be taken if credible information is received. Local residents and civil society members have demanded permanent closure of such alleged “night stay centres,” strict monitoring of registered and unregistered farms, enhanced border surveillance, and strong action against those involved.

Farmers and cattle rearers in Sunamganj’s haor region are facing growing uncertainty over livestock feed after heavy rainfall damaged paddy crops and disrupted the collection of straw, the main source of cattle fodder. Following widespread crop loss due to waterlogging and flash floods, farmers said they have been unable to collect sufficient straw (locally known as khor) for cattle feed. Straw cut from submerged fields could not be properly dried due to continuous adverse weather and has largely rotted. Although some farmers managed to collect portions of damaged straw after the weather improved, they said it is not enough for livestock consumption. As a result, many cattle rearers are being forced to sell cattle at lower prices, raising concerns over their livelihoods. Farmers in the 12 upazilas of Sunamganj said cattle, including cows and buffaloes, are closely linked to the haor economy, supporting ploughing, protein supply and household income. They said around 85 pc of cattle feed in the district normally comes from paddy straw, while natural grass provides some support during the dry season. However, for nearly six months of the year, livestock depend mainly on stored straw. This year’s flood-related damage has severely affected straw collection, leaving most farmers and small-scale livestock owners without adequate feed reserves. An elderly farmer from Janigaon village under Sadar upazila, Shamsu Mia, said he owns nine cattle and usually depends on straw collected during the Baishakh season. However, this year he was unable to store enough due to flooding. He said even the small amount of rotted straw he managed to dry would not last for more than two months, leaving him worried about sustaining his livestock. Another farmer from Solf village under Shantiganj upazila, Ruhul, said he may be forced to sell part of his cattle herd as he has no clear plan for feeding them. “We could not store straw or fodder this year. I don’t know how to continue raising cattle. I may have to sell some of them,” he said. Farmers said many others are in a similar situation and are selling cattle at low prices out of necessity, calling for government support to address the crisis. “Without feed, we will have to sell cattle at lower prices. Many are already doing so,” said Rukunuddin of Janigaon village. Officials at the Department of Livestock Services in Sunamganj said the district usually produces around 1.8 million tonnes of straw annually, but this year’s flood damage will reduce output significantly. District Livestock Officer Dr Rofikul Islam said the feed crisis is already emerging due to crop damage and waterlogging. He advised farmers to reduce reliance on straw and use alternative feeds such as bran, crushed rice, and commercial feed supplements to ensure livestock nutrition.

Amid domestic economic slowdown due to the scam-hit banking sector, revenue shortfall, high inflation, and the aftermath of war in West Asia, the government is preparing a landmark budget for the upcoming fiscal (2026-27), with a primary focus on establishing a comprehensive ‘Welfare State’, according to officials of the budget section at the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is expected to present a record Tk 9.30 lakh crore budget in the National Parliament on June 11. The proposed fiscal plan shifts from traditional allowance-based aid to an integrated family-centric protection framework, significantly expanding both funding and the number of beneficiaries. The government plans to increase the number of social safety net beneficiaries to approximately 3.63 crore in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year, up from 2.60 crore in the current fiscal year, FY2025-26. To support this expansion, the allocation is set to jump to Tk 35,708 crore, compared to the current Tk 21,701 crore, said the officials. The government plans to increase different social safety net coverage in the upcoming budget. Among these:   'Family Card' at the heart of protection: The BNP’s flagship ‘Family Card’ remains the centerpiece of the government's social security strategy. The number of families under this program is slated to rise to 41 lakh. To prevent duplication, Family Card holders will be ineligible for other individual social allowances, such as old-age or widow benefits. The government aims to cover 1.61 crore families by FY2029-30, with a projected five-year expenditure of Tk 1.33 lakh crore. Major Boost for Agriculture and Health ‍Sector: To secure the rural economy, the ‘Farmer Card’ program will be expanded to cover 42.5 lakh farmers, each receiving an annual cash assistance of Tk 2,500. In the health sector, the government plans to double the financial assistance for patients suffering from critical illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, and Thalassemia. The grant per patient is expected to increase from Tk 50,000 to Tk 1 lakh for 65,000 beneficiaries. Reforms in Traditional Allowances: The monthly benefit will increase from Tk 650 to Tk 700, with the number of beneficiaries rising to 62 lakh. Citizens aged 90 and above will receive a special monthly rate of Tk 1,000. The monthly Widow Allowance will also rise to Tk 700. As for the Disability Allowance, coverage will expand to 36 lakh individuals, though the monthly rate remains at Tk 900. Focus on Religious Institutions and Employment: In a significant move, the government is massively expanding honorariums for staff at religious institutions (mosques, temples, churches, etc.). The number of beneficiaries—including Imams, Muazzins, and Priests—will soar from 18,000 to over 2.56 lakh, with the budget increasing from Tk 27 crore to Tk 1,081 crore. Furthermore, to combat inflation-induced food insecurity, the ‘Food-Friendly Program’ will now provide 15 kg of rice at Tk 15 per kg to 60 lakh families. While the expansion is politically popular and aims to mitigate high inflation, economists warn of severe implementation challenges. Financing such a massive expansion is difficult given the current revenue shortage. The widening budget deficit, exacerbated by global trade volatility, remains a threat to long-term sustainability. Experts emphasize that the success of these programs hinges on a transparent, digitalized beneficiary selection process to ensure aid reaches the truly needy. The 2026-27 budget is expected to serve as a political and economic manifesto, as the first budget of the elected government that followed the July Uprising, and it will attempt to balance the promise of social equity with the harsh realities of a volatile global economy. According to Dr Jyoti Rahman, who works as a technical expert with the IMF on macroeconomic and fiscal policy issues, there are two time horizons through which the government's "welfarist" policies should be viewed. “Firstly, the short-to-medium term,” he says. “Since Covid, inflation has eroded the real wages of the working poor and even the middle class. Household savings have declined. And then came the Iran War. But the government can't stimulate the economy through interest rate cuts and megaprojects as in the low interest era of the 2010s anymore.”  That is where welfare payments to households, as long they are fiscally sustainable (that is, paid for by rising revenue), can be a sensible way to support beleaguered households, Rahman contends. “Secondly, the longer term,” he continues. “The government appears to be philosophically committed to a growth model that is different from the megaproject-driven model of the Hasina regime. The exact details of this model isn't clear yet, but it might be something along the lines of private investment generating employment and income, which generates tax and redistribution.” Here the key, obviously, will lie in whether the government is capable of implementing this vision.

Dhaka is facing a mounting water crisis as rapid urbanisation, excessive dependence on groundwater and years of delays in major infrastructure projects continue to strain the capital’s fragile supply system. Dhaka’s rivers, lakes and canals are shrinking rapidly due to unchecked urbanisation and encroachment. According to Dhaka’s 2010 area plan, the capital had around 5,523 acres of surface water bodies, but a 2017 RAJUK study found that only about 30 percent of those areas remained within seven years. Experts say pollution has also worsened significantly, while a study conducted by WASA in 2018 found contamination levels in the city’s rivers so severe that the water can no longer be treated for human consumption. Experts and officials said unless surface water projects are implemented quickly and river pollution is brought under control, the city could face acute shortages in the coming years, alongside serious environmental consequences caused by overextraction of groundwater. The city now uses nearly five times more water than it did three decades ago, while hotter and longer summers are further increasing pressure on supply. Home to more than 20 million people, the capital currently requires between 2.7 billion and 3 billion litres of water every day. Against this demand, Dhaka WASA supplies around 2.6 billion to 2.9 billion litres daily, leaving only a thin margin between supply and demand. Despite long-standing plans to reduce dependence on underground sources, nearly two-thirds of the city’s water still comes from groundwater extracted through deep tube wells. According to WASA data, the agency currently produces nearly 2,977 million litres of water daily, most of it drawn from underground aquifers. Excessive extraction have already caused groundwater levels in many parts of Dhaka to decline sharply. Experts also said that continued depletion of aquifers could trigger land subsidence, threatening roads, buildings and other urban infrastructure. Deeper extraction may also increase the risk of contamination from arsenic and other harmful substances. Major projects stuck for years Officials say several key water treatment projects have remained stalled for years due to bureaucratic delays, land disputes and poor coordination among agencies. Dhaka WASA Additional Chief Engineer Alamgir Hachin Ahmed said many projects that were originally scheduled for completion within five years are now taking more than a decade. “In many cases, projects supposed to be completed within five years are taking 10 to 12 years,” he said. He attributed the delays to administrative complications, slow approval processes, land acquisition problems and difficulties in obtaining permissions for pipeline installation and road excavation. He said Dhaka WASA is currently bringing water from the Meghna, Shitalakkhya and Buriganga rivers to supply the capital. “At present, around 51 kilometres of pipeline are being used to transport water. If necessary, the network may be expanded to nearly 150 kilometres in the future,” he said. The Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project, expected to supply 500 million litres of water daily, has faced prolonged delays mainly because of land acquisition complications and failure to secure permission for road excavation needed for pipeline installation. The Saidabad Phase-3 project has also seen years of slow progress. Currently, surface water is being supplied from the Saidabad project with around 450 million litres daily, the Padma project with about 250 million litres and the Savar project with roughly 100 to 120 million litres. Officials said current level of surface water supply remains inadequate compared to rapidly rising demand. Warning of growing long-term risks, Alamgir said authorities may one day have to consider bringing water from the Bay of Bengal if the crisis worsens further. Polluted rivers complicating treatment Experts say worsening pollution in rivers surrounding Dhaka is creating another major challenge for the city’s future water security. Untreated industrial waste, sewage and chemical pollution in rivers such as the Buriganga and Shitalakkhya are making water treatment increasingly difficult and costly. Experts warn that deteriorating river quality could undermine Dhaka’s long-term transition towards surface water dependence. Emergency project again relies on groundwater Amid growing concerns over water shortages during the summer season, Dhaka WASA is now moving ahead with an emergency supply project that again depends heavily on groundwater extraction. A Tk 920.85 crore project titled “Emergency Water Supply in Dhaka City” is expected to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval. The project aims to ensure an additional 576 million litres of water supply by replacing 388 old deep tube wells and installing 62 new ones. It also includes installation of 450 pump-motor units, construction of 250 pump houses and deployment of 124 SCADA systems. The project is scheduled for implementation between January 2026 and June 2030. Dhaka WASA Supervising Engineer Abdul Majid said around 1,330 deep tube wells are currently operating across the capital. “When production declines, replacement boreholes are installed at the same locations,” he said. Experts urge long-term strategy Speaking at a recent seminar titled “Water Rights in Bangladesh,” State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said access to safe drinking water must be treated as a basic right. “Water is another name for life. Yet 26 percent of the country’s people still do not have access to safe drinking water,” he said. Economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman warned that freshwater sources are shrinking steadily and stressed the need for responsible land use management and greater public awareness regarding water conservation. Experts stressed that without an integrated long-term water management strategy, rapid expansion of surface water infrastructure and effective protection of rivers and groundwater reserves, Dhaka’s water crisis could intensify further in the coming years.    

In the villages of northern district Thakurgaon, community clinics once stood as a lifeline for thousands of low-income families – places where a fever, a stomach infection or a child’s cough could be treated free of cost, just a short walk from home. However, today, many of those same clinics tell a different story. Rows of medicine shelves sit nearly empty across all 28 community clinics in Pirganj, leaving hundreds of patients returning home without treatment and exposing the fragile reality of rural healthcare for some of the country’s most vulnerable people. Except for limited supplies of iron and antacid tablets reserved mainly for pregnant women, most essential medicines – from fever reducers and painkillers to gastric and diarrhoea treatments – have disappeared from clinic inventories. For six months, the shortage has quietly deepened, hitting hardest the poor people. “Earlier we could get medicines here for fever, cough, pain, gastric problems—even dysentery,” said one woman who came seeking treatment at Birholi Community Clinic. “Now we leave empty-handed. We are poor people. Buying medicines outside is not always possible.” Her frustration is echoed across village after village. Patients at Budhigaon and Bhakura community clinics said the facilities had once spared them costly trips to town hospitals. Now, despite the clinics being within walking distance, many must travel farther – or simply go without treatment. Under Bangladesh’s rural healthcare model, each community clinic serves roughly 6,000 people in Pirganj. Health officials say the crisis began after medicine allocations gradually declined. Clinics that once received 27 types of medicines later saw that number reduced to 22. The last major supply arrived in August last year, while limited follow-up deliveries ran out by November and December. No adequate replenishment has arrived since. Omar Faruk, acting storekeeper at Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, said supplies are no longer coming as regularly as before. “Whatever medicines arrive are divided among all community clinics, but the quantity is very limited and gets exhausted within a few months,” he said. At Chandaria Community Clinic, health worker Baby Naznin says the situation has become emotionally exhausting. “For nearly five months, we have had almost no medicines,” she said. “Every day patients come with fever, cough, diarrhoea, weakness and other illnesses. We examine them, give advice – but often have nothing to hand over.” Officials acknowledge the problem. Dr Abul Basar Md Saiduzzaman, acting Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said some medicines have recently arrived and distribution will begin soon, though he warned the crisis may persist until fresh allocations are approved in the new fiscal year. Meanwhile, Dr Anisur Rahman, Civil Surgeon of Thakurgaon, confirmed that the shortage has been reported to higher authorities and expressed hope that normal supply will resume soon. But for villagers who depend on these clinics not by choice, but by necessity, hope alone cannot treat a fever. Until the shelves are refilled, the promise of free rural healthcare remains – quite literally – out of stock.

More than three decades after the once-ambitious Trust Modern Hospital in Mirpur shut its doors, the government is now considering whether the abandoned facility can be revived or replaced with a new modern healthcare complex. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is currently assessing the feasibility of constructing a contemporary medical facility on the site, following the dissolution of the Freedom Fighter Complex Fund Committee and the transfer of its assets to the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust. Located on 13.22 acres in Senpara Parbata, the property carries a long and complicated history tied to post-independence welfare initiatives for freedom fighters and families of martyrs. The land was originally leased in 1980 under directives issued during the tenure of former president Ziaur Rahman. A four-storey building was later constructed in 1984 on part of the land to accommodate wounded freedom fighters and families of martyrs. Officials said the facility initially housed 16 injured veterans and five martyr families before the residents were relocated to pave the way for the establishment of Trust Modern Hospital. Under a joint French-Bangladeshi grant arrangement, the hospital was expanded into a 100-bed medical facility and formally inaugurated by former prime minister Khaleda Zia on December 1, 1991. Despite the ambitious plan, the hospital failed to continue operations and was shut down just two years later in 1993. Since then, the building has remained abandoned. Officials involved in recent assessments described the structure as severely deteriorated after decades of neglect. According to ministry documents, the existing building is now around 45 years old and in an “extremely dilapidated condition”, raising concerns over whether renovation is technically feasible. Authorities are also questioning whether the designated 68-decimal hospital zone would be sufficient for a modern healthcare facility in densely populated Mirpur, where population growth and urban expansion have accelerated significantly since the 1990s. The building is dilapidated after 30 years of abandonment,said an official document reviewed by UNB. It said any future development would require detailed technical assessments to determine whether the site can meet current healthcare infrastructure standards. While the original 1980 lease stipulated a 30-year term with options for two subsequent renewals, the lease was not renewed under the Fund Committee's name when the first term expired in 2010. Following the May 2025 gazette notification, the Dhaka District Administration is currently processing the transfer of the lease to the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust. The Freedom Fighter Complex Fund Committee was formally abolished through a government gazette notification issued on May 28, 2025. Following the move, all assets and land management responsibilities were transferred to the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust. Officials said the Dhaka district administration is currently processing the transfer of the lease in the trust’s name. The original lease agreement signed in 1980 had a 30-year tenure with provisions for two renewals. However, the lease was not renewed under the Fund Committee after the initial term expired in 2010. Ministry officials said a final decision on whether the hospital will be renovated, reconstructed, or replaced entirely will depend on consultations between technical experts and the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. For now, the abandoned hospital — once envisioned as a major welfare initiative for freedom fighters — stands as a reminder of an unfinished promise, awaiting a decision on whether it can once again serve public healthcare needs.

Two giant bulls named ‘Kala Babu’ and ‘Dhala Babu’ have become major attractions in Thakurgaon district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, drawing crowds of curious visitors and potential buyers to a local farm every day.The bulls, weighing a combined total of around 85 maunds, are being raised at Bismillah Agro Farm in Sadar upazila of the district under special care.People of different ages are flocking to the farm from distant areas, with many coming out of curiosity while others are looking to buy cattle for sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha.The festive atmosphere at the farm has intensified as the huge bulls gained popularity on social media due to their enormous size and eye-catching appearance.Farm authorities said the Friesian breed cattle have been raised carefully for the past three years with a strict and nutritious diet that includes green grass, bran, oil cake, corn, straw and various fruits.Workers of the farm said the bulls were raised naturally without using any harmful medicines or injections.To attract buyers ahead of Eid, the bulls have been decorated in a groom-and-bride style with colourful ribbons, ornaments and patterned fabrics, further increasing visitors’ interest.Many visitors were seen taking photos and videos with the cattle and sharing them on social media.However, due to their massive size, farm workers are facing difficulties controlling the animals, especially when they are occasionally taken outside the farm at visitors’ requests.Md Rafiqul Islam, director of the farm, said ‘Kala Babu’ has four permanent teeth while ‘Dhala Babu’ has two. “We have raised them with great care for the last three years. Regular care and quality food helped them achieve this size,” he said.The cattle will be sold at Tk 450 per kilogram based on live weight, he added.Many people are visiting just to see them, while others are asking about the price with interest.“We want to provide healthy and quality cattle for Eid sacrifice,” Rafiqul said.A farm employee said the bulls are cleaned every morning and given special food according to a fixed diet plan throughout the day.“Due to the hot weather, they are bathed regularly and proper rest is ensured,” he added.District Livestock Officer Md Saidur Rahman said they are maintaining strict monitoring to prevent the use of harmful substances in cattle fattening ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.“Farms are being inspected regularly to ensure safe and healthy animals,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) is planning to introduce a uniform code of conduct for elections to all five types of local government bodies to make the rules easier for people to understand and ensure effective enforcement ahead of a massive electoral cycle likely to begin later this year. As part of preparation to conduct elections to local government bodies throughout the country, the commission has already taken initiative to revise separate election codes for city corporations, municipalities, zila parishads, upazila parishads and union parishads. The EC has, in principle, taken a decision to make the election codes for the local bodies largely similar to the code of conduct applied in the recent 13th parliamentary election. Following the successful implementation of the latest code for parliamentary polls during the February-12 general election, the Commission now plans to incorporate several provisions, including restriction on using posters as well, in the polls codes for the local body elections. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said a proposal for a single code of conduct for all local government bodies would be placed before the Commission. “I think a single code of conduct rule should be there for all local government bodies. I will place a proposal for it,” he told UNB. Asked about possible changes to the codes, Masud said the local election code would be almost similar to the one used in the 13th parliamentary election. “There will be a ban on the use of posters and restrictions related to misuse of AI and social media,” he said. Senior officials of the EC Secretariat have already been instructed to prepare draft amendments to the polls codes and election conduct rules for city corporations, municipalities, district, upazila and union parishads. EC officials said the ban on posters in parliamentary elections gained positive results and the same approach would now be applied to local government polls to reduce environmental pollution and bring changes to traditional campaigning methods. Ahead of the last general election, the EC issued the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rules, 2025, prohibiting the use of posters,helicopters and drones, along with prohibition on misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in election campaigns. Under the 2025 code, posters are completely banned, while pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene or plastic are also prohibited. However, candidates are allowed to install a maximum of 20 billboards in a constituency, each measuring no more than 16 feet by 9 feet. The parliamentary election code also prohibits malicious use of AI in campaign activities. Harmful content, including hate speech, misinformation, manipulated images, fabricated election-related information and inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other groups, is barred on social media platforms. Punishment for violating the parliamentary election code was also strengthened, with the maximum penalty increased to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000, up from six month jail and Tk 50,000 fine previously. EC officials said the Commission is also considering measures to prevent undue influence by members of parliament in local government elections as the upcoming elections to the local bodies without the use of political party symbols.  Abdur Rahmanel Masud said laws have already been passed in parliament to conduct the elections to local government bodies using non-party electoral symbols.  “We have received copies of the laws… But the commission has not yet decided when the elections will begin. For now, we are keeping preparations in place,” he said. With the government establishing a designated room named ‘visiting room’ for MPs at the upazila Parishad complex, the EC is thinking of introducing new provisions to prevent lawmakers from influencing in local polls from those offices. The commission is also planning changes to nomination forms, including mandatory disclosure of overseas assets in affidavits. Officials said the commission is taking preparations assuming that local government elections may start at the end of this year.  During the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference on May 5, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and the four election commissioners instructed field administrators to prepare for local polls and maintain standards similar to parliamentary elections. According to EC estimates, elections to 12 city corporations, over 450 upazila parishads, more than 300 municipalities and 61 zila parishads are already overdue and can be held immediately without legal complications.  Besides, the legal timeframe for holding elections to around 600 union parishads began in April, making polls mandatory by October next. The 180-day countdown for elections in more than 2,800 additional union parishads will begin by July. In this situation, the EC would be able to announce election schedules once it receives a green signal from the local government division, although the government has indicated that local government elections may begin at the end of the current year.