Speakers at the consultation on the formulation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) on Monday underscored the need for a master plan covering all the coastal districts to address the challenges of climate changes and mainstream adaptation efforts.The consultation discussed major climatic risks in different coastal districts, adaptation strategies of the farmers and determinants of the choice of those strategies.Jhalokathi and other coastal districts are vulnerable to increasing salinity of its groundwater as well as surface water resources, especially along the coast, due to increases in sea level as a direct impact of global warming.The consultation was held at the conference room of the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Jhalokathi. Also read: Saline water invasion: Many in coastal Bagerhat taking to rainwater for survivalAdditional Secretary of the MoEFCC and National Project Director of the NAP Formulation Project Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury was present as the Chief Guest while Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC was present as the Special Guest. Deputy Commissioner of Jhalokathi Md Johor Ali chaired the consultation.The consultation was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Economic Relations Division (ERD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).Participants opined that the livelihood of smallholder farmers is affected by climatic risks such as cyclones, increasing soil and water salinity, storm surges and heavy rainfall that can result in flooding and water-logging. They stressed a master plan to address these challenges.Jashim Uddin Haider, deputy commissioner of Barishal, said that scarcity of fresh water in the dry season, increased number of chars (small islands formed by silt), riverbank erosion and salinity intrusion are key challenges posed by climate change.“To turn Bangladesh into a welfare state, we must address these challenges” he said. Also read: CSOs, MPs demand Tk 150 bn for coastal protectionMonirul Islam Talukder, president of Jhalokathi Chamber of Commerce said, “River erosion is killing us – stopping erosion should be our priority to make our development efforts sustainable.”Hemayet Uddin Himu, president, Committee of the Concerned Citizens said that In addressing the challenges of climate change and mainstream adaptation efforts, Government should adopt a master plan covering all 19 coastal districts.Mahmudur Rahman Parvez, correspondent of Prothom Alo Jhalokathi said that Waste management is a serious concern in Jhalokathi which is emitting methane. “If we don’t urgently address this, it will wreak havoc on the environment and affect the livelihood of the people.”Rahim Reza, Jhalokathi correspondent of Ajker Patrika mentioned that Although Jhalokathi is better covered by the forests compared to other districts in Bangladesh, the rampant establishment of sawmills is likely to turn this district into a deforested zone in the coming days.A K M Azad Rahman, Programme Officer-Climate Change, UNDP said that UNDP will provide all-out support to Bangladesh in combatting climate change. “We are closely working with the government in designing sustainable projects in coastal regions”, he added.Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik said that NAP will be the guiding policy document for our adaptation efforts and will supplement all the national-level planning.“Through the consultation, we are delegating its ownership to you. For successful implementation of NAP, we will need a partnership with both at the national and local level”, he said.Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury said that NAP will be harmonized with the national planning process and supplement the Annual Development Programme, Five Year Plan, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, etc.He emphasised raising awareness to combat climate change, protect the environment and mainstream adaptation efforts.Md Johor Ali said that rainwater harvesting can be effecting adaptation strategy for the coastal regions.He suggested smart designing of climate change related projects so that it brings the desired results.While delivering the keynote, Malik Fida A Khan, executive director of the CEGIS said that NAP is a participatory and country-driven process and would address the medium to long term adaptation needs of Bangladesh and turn her into a climate-resilient country in the long run.He added that NAP would specifically address the climate vulnerability of the coastal regions, address the existing capacity gaps and establish a knowledge management system on climate change adaptation.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said extreme poverty rate will come down to 3 percent by 2030 and that the country will be free of poverty after 2041. "Once 80 percent people were poor in Bangladesh but now the poverty rate stands at 20 percent thanks to good initiatives. The Sheikh Hasina government laid emphasis on eliminating poverty from the country in 2009," he said at the unwrapping ceremony of the book titled "Sheikh Hasina Sarker" at Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Momen said Bangladesh needs the incumbent government for its further development. Also read: SANEM survey: Population below poverty line doubled, extreme poor trebled in 2020 "Once our annual average growth rate was 2.2 percent. Now it’s 6.9 percent. It's an unbelievable development. Bangabandhu brought freedom and his daughter fulfilled his dreams," he said. Momen said Bangladesh once faced serious food crisis. The government announced to resolve the problem providing subsidy in agriculture sector. Now there is no food crisis. "Earlier, power cuts were common [but now] the government has increased power production to 24,000MW from 2009-2020," the minister added. The Foreign Minister said the government took lots of initiatives to make the population skilled to eliminate unemployment. Besides, the government took steps to tackle climate change impact. He said that is why the Prime Minister won champion of the earth award and earned the respect of the global audience. Also read: PM vows to wipe out poverty through united efforts About Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, Momen said we are honoured that he chose Bangladesh to be his first tour abroad since the coronavirus outbreak. He added that 65 countries sent messages to appreciate Bangladesh. They also appreciated Sheikh Hasina for the Rohingya response. Momen highlighted Bangladesh’s development and said the country currently has a forex reserve of $44 billion and is regarded as a leader in South Asia. Also read: COVID-19 could push over 1 bln into extreme poverty: UNDP The author of the book Razu Alim said he tried to include various information about the government of Sheikh Hasina in his book. Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yesmin and Awami League Office Secretary Biplob Barua were also present at the event.

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.