ADAB holds discussion marking World Environment Day

The Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB) organized a discussion on the occasion of World Environment Day at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury auditorium of National Press Club in the capital on Wednesday (June 5).

The discussion, titled 'Land restoration and drought-free sustainable future construction’, was presided over by ADAB Vice-Chairperson Majeda Shawkat Ali. Lawmaker Shahida Tarek Deepti was present as the chief guest at the event, says a press release.

ADAB Director AKM Jaseem Uddin moderated the discussion while ADAB Program Director Kausar Alam Kanak presented the keynote.

Speakers at the meeting discussed climate change as a result of global temperature increase, which ultimately is resulting in ice melting, sea level rise, salinity, saltwater intrusion, increased human migration, extreme cold and heat waves, lowering of groundwater level, and increase in natural disasters.

As a result, they said, there is a negative impact on agriculture, economy, animal resources and fisheries production, and increasing health risks including infertility among women.

To protect the environment, speakers at the discussion suggested to plant more trees, introduce tax rebate to encourage roof farming and tree planting in residential areas, and ensure participation of local people in social forestry.

They expressed the view that the government, journalists, civil society and NGO workers should work together with an emphasis on dredging rivers, building dams and, in addition, preventing corruption and ensuring good governance.

The discussion was addressed, among others, by senior journalist Shamima Chowdhury, Joint Secretary and Coordinator of Parliamentary Caucus on Indigenous and Minority Affairs Jannat-e-Ferdowsi Laki, and CCDB’s Climate Change Programme head Md Abdul Alim Sheikh.