Govt is spending US$ 3.5b per year in climate adaptation: Saber

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said the government is sincerely working to
implement climate adaptation actions by spending US$ 3.5 billion every year.

“But, actually, US$ 9 billion is needed for carrying out adaptation
activities,” he said while launching the UK Government’s Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s the Nature-Based Adaptation
Towards Prosperous & Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB)
project at Hotel Intercontinental here.

Speaking as the chief guest, Saber Hossain said collaboration among
government, NGOs and international development partners are important to this
end.

He said the government will empower communities, particularly women, to
overcome climate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

The environment minister said initiatives have been taken to protect two
critically important ecological areas– the Sundarbans, the world’s largest
mangrove forest, and Hakaloki Haor, a vital breeding ground for birds and
fish.

Surrounding communities will be collaborated with to minimise disruptions to
these habitats while they will be trained on income generation activities and
disaster preparedness, he said.

Eminent water expert and Professor Emeritus at BRAC University Dr Ainun
Nishat, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Additional
Secretary (Environment) of the ministry Dr Fahmida Khanom, Regional Director
of CARE Asia Ramesh Singh and Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain
Chowdhury, among others, also spoke on the occasion. (BSS)