The parliamentary standing committee on environment on Tuesday asked the government to assess the possible damages in Bangladesh due to climate change before the COP28 beginning on November 30.
The parliamentary body also suggested the environment ministry to take appropriate measures for recovering Tk 536 crore of Climate Change Trust Fund, which remains in the Padma Bank Limited as FDR.
Also read: JS body recommends disconnecting illegal electricity lines on an urgent basis
The recommendations came from the 41st meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which was presided over by its chairman Saber Hossain Chowdhury at the Parliament Bhaban, said a press release.
The committee, in the meeting, asked the ministry to prepare a list by estimating the possible damages to be caused to Bangladesh due to the climate change before the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28).
The United Nations Climate Change Conference will take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Also read: JS body recommends taking measures to stop entry of illegal arms
In the meeting, the committee recommended the government to announce rubber as an agricultural product in Bangladesh like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Besides, the parliamentary panel asked for preparation of an updated list of rubber plantation sites, which are likely to lose their life cycle in the next 10 years and placement of updated lists of the country’s public and private rubber gardens in its next meeting.
The committee asked the government to increase the budget for strengthening the research activities of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute.
Committee members Deputy Minister for Environment and Forest Habibun Nahar and Khodeza Nasreen Akhter Hossain attended the meeting.
Also read: JS body recommends involving indigenous community in conserving forests, biodiversity
The high officials from the ministry and concerned agencies and departments were present.