They remarked this while speaking at national policy dialogue on Repositioning Char Development for Attaining SDGs organised by Shamunnay and National Char Alliance supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) held at Daily Star Bhaban in the capital.
Md Faridul Haque Khan, MP, Jamaplur-2 said that the char areas’ people have to suffer more following river erosion in every year. Besides, they do not get facilities of education, health, social safety, communication and marketing of their agro-based products. So stakeholders have to come forward now to develop the areas.
“A ‘land policy’ is needed for the char areas’ people. They have to face problems after river erosion. There is an economic potential if the areas can be developed,” he also said.
MA Matin, Member of Parliament (MP), Kurigram-3 said that to be a dweller of char area is to be a victim of river erosion. The people face various challenges.
“We hope that the government will take proper initiatives for development of the lives of the char areas’ people. We can earn huge money from the areas to build cottage industry, cultivate fish and dairy firms there. So we have to think about these to achieve SDGs,” he added.
Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary MP, Gaibandha-1, said that the people of the char areas are very poor and live vulnerably. So, more funds are needed to develop the areas.
Dr Atiur Rahman, chairperson of Shamunnay and former governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) moderated the function.
He said that a caucus should be made with all Members of Parliaments (MP) of char areas for their development. “We will feel blessed if we can do that for the char areas’ people,” he added.
Khondker Ibrahim Khaled, chairman of National Char Alliance and former deputy governor of BB, said that those who are working specially NGOs in the char area should form alliance and inform MPs after a survey to find all the problems. Second platform can be made nationally that will work to solve all the problems.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Rene Holenstein appreciated the activities of char alliances and underscored the need for more investment in the char areas for infrastructural development.
“I have confidence that Bangladesh will achieve its goal. However, there is a need for more facilities in the schools of the areas. Besides, it’s very important to create employment capacity there,” he also said.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said that the government is working to develop the char areas, pointing to the work of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in this area too.
“We do not want to go forward keeping behind char areas’ people. We want a transformation in the country. So we all have to work together for this,” he also said.