Initiatives taken to make vulnerable island-char dwellers climate-resilient: Saber

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister

Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said initiatives have been taken to increase
the climate-change resilience of people living in coastal islands and
riverine chars.

“The initiatives, taken by the government, will increase the capacity of
local people to prepare for climate-related disasters and achieve climate-
resilient development. It will directly and indirectly benefit the people
living in chars of Rangpur and Bhola districts,” he said.

The environment minister made the remarks while speaking at the review
meeting of the implementation progress of the projects of the ministry for
fiscal 2023-24 at Bangladesh Secretariat here.

Under the project, 900 climate-resilient houses will be repaired to deal with
cyclones, storm surge and floods.

Rainwater harvesting system will be installed for 500 families, while 30
solar nano-grids and 20 mini-disaster shelters will be constructed for power
supply, he added. Saber Hossain said the initiatives would be taken for
ecosystem-based adaptation of coastal and riparian areas and
repair/maintenance and strengthening of damaged embankments.

“Climate and disaster risk maps will be developed for selected islands.
Volunteers will be imparted training and cyclone preparedness equipment will
be distributed.”
“Emergency rescue boats or floating ambulances will be arranged. Climate
resilient alternative livelihoods will be provided for local people,” he
said.
Farmers will be trained on climate-resilient agricultural practices and
solar-powered refrigerators and irrigation pumps will be installed, the
minister said, adding that local government officials will be trained to
incorporate climate risk into their operations.

He said four Climate Adaptation Education Centres will be established, and a
climate awareness campaign will be implemented. Environment Secretary Dr
Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Administration) of the ministry Iqbal
Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Development) Dr Fahmida Khanom,
Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE) Dr Abdul Hamid and
Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, among others, were
present at the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the progress of various projects of the ministry.
The environment minister directed the officials concerned to take necessary
measures to complete the projects within stipulated timeframes. (BSS)