‘Govt extensively working on haor conservation’

Environment, Forest and Climate Change minister Shahab Uddin said that the government is taking and implementing activities under various projects to reduce the damage caused by climate change and protect the haors.

To this end, the people of the haor area are being organised and village conservation teams are being formed. Aquatic forests have been created in the haor area and conservation activities are underway.

He said this at an event ‘Climate Change and Our Future: Policymakers Facing Youth’ organised by Environment and Haor Development Organisation at Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium on Thursday.

He said, “Wetland sanctuaries have been established through re-excavation of bil-canals. Tree saplings have been planted in Hakaluki Haor to protect homes and resources in the haor area from the effects of strong waves, to construct a submersible dam and establish a green fence along the dam.”

Solar-powered irrigation pumps have been installed to provide irrigation facilities to local farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change. Small capital grants have been provided for alternative income-generating activities of the people dependent on natural resources.

In addition, the family has been provided material assistance directly from the project for alternative income-generating work and various training has been provided to enhance their skills.

Responding to a question, the environment minister said Tanguar haor in Sunamganj and Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar have been declared as ‘ecologically critical areas’.

Prof Dr Khaliquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation presided over the function while

Md Ashraf Uddin, Director General, Department of Environment was present as the special guest. The concept paper was presented by Kasmir Reza, President, Environment and Haor Development Organisation. Students from different universities asked questions regarding climate change and measures to be taken by the government.