Speakers at a webinar on Sunday underscored the need for coordination among relevant ministries, NGOs, researchers and stakeholders to tackle the impact of climate change and create a sound environment in the country.   They also called upon the people not to dump face masks, gloves and other equipment used to protect from coronavirus here and there.   The observations came at the virtual dialogue titled ‘Bangladesh Climate Budget FY 2020-2021: A Civil Society Response’.   Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said coordination among ministries and stakeholders is needed to tackle the impact of climate disaster.   “The issues of waste management, environment and gender hardly got priority in the budget. These could have gotten more priority. Coordination is needed among ministries and stakeholders,” she said.   Dr Saleemul Huq, Director of International Center for Climate Change and Development, said a task force can be formed with people of ministries, NGOs and researchers to prevent the possible impact of climate problems and create a healthy environment.   “The government allocated a fund every year in the budget. I think the allocation should be monitored properly. Journalists can observe the matter accurately to curb corruptions. Then the funds will be utilised properly,” he added.   ‘Awareness is the key’   Climate expert Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan suggested the government to provide funds maintaining a consistency in the country’s coastal areas.   Md Ziaul Haque, Director of the department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said they tried to address climate change issue in the proposed budget for 2020-21 amid the COVID-19 fallout.   “We need more funds to address climate change problems. However, we have to implement the budget. So we need cooperation from all,” he said.   Describing face masks, hands gloves and others coronavirus wastes are polluting the environment, Ziaul Haque urged all to be more conscious about the waste and not to dispose of them here and there.   “Around 14,500 tonnes additional waste went up in the last two months. There are lots of policies in the country but these have to be implemented. We have also released several letters on our website. Everyone has to be aware to protect our environment,” he said.

Speakers at a webinar on Sunday underscored the need for coordination among relevant ministries, NGOs, researchers and stakeholders to tackle the impact of climate change and create a sound environment in the country.
 
They also called upon the people not to dump face masks, gloves and other equipment used to protect from coronavirus here and there.
 
The observations came at the virtual dialogue titled ‘Bangladesh Climate Budget FY 2020-2021: A Civil Society Response’.
 
Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said coordination among ministries and stakeholders is needed to tackle the impact of climate disaster.
 
“The issues of waste management, environment and gender hardly got priority in the budget. These could have gotten more priority. Coordination is needed among ministries and stakeholders,” she said.
 
Dr Saleemul Huq, Director of International Center for Climate Change and Development, said a task force can be formed with people of ministries, NGOs and researchers to prevent the possible impact of climate problems and create a healthy environment.
 
“The government allocated a fund every year in the budget. I think the allocation should be monitored properly. Journalists can observe the matter accurately to curb corruptions. Then the funds will be utilised properly,” he added.
 
‘Awareness is the key’
 
Climate expert Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan suggested the government to provide funds maintaining a consistency in the country’s coastal areas.
 
Md Ziaul Haque, Director of the department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said they tried to address climate change issue in the proposed budget for 2020-21 amid the COVID-19 fallout.
 
“We need more funds to address climate change problems. However, we have to implement the budget. So we need cooperation from all,” he said.
 
Describing face masks, hands gloves and others coronavirus wastes are polluting the environment, Ziaul Haque urged all to be more conscious about the waste and not to dispose of them here and there.
 
“Around 14,500 tonnes additional waste went up in the last two months. There are lots of policies in the country but these have to be implemented. We have also released several letters on our website. Everyone has to be aware to protect our environment,” he said.