BBS to assess financial value of oxygen, water consumption

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is set to calculate the volume of oxygen and water a person uses throughout his life and assess the financial value of it.

In order to figure out the matter, the BBS is creating National Resource Accounts (NRA).

This information was revealed at the opening ceremony of a seminar held at the Agargaon Auditorium in the capital on Thursday (April 18).

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury graced the event as thd chief guest while Secretary for Statistics and Information Management Department Dr Shahanaz Arefin presided it over.

State Minister for Planning Shahiduzzaman Sarker and Representative of FAO Jiaoqun Shi were present as the special guests.

BBS Deputy Director General Parimal Chandra Bose delivered the welcome speech.

The NRA will work under the United Nations Environmental Economic Accounting System, said the speakers.

The BBS informed that all kinds of natural resources including soil, water, air, forest, livestock will be valuated under the programme. Environment should be given utmost importance to ensure sustainable development. Along with that, an effective role should be played in dealing with the harmful effects of climate change. These accounts will be of great help in any policy formulation.

Article 18 (a) of the Constitution states that the State shall preserve and develop the environment for the present and future citizens. Besides, it will provide conservation and security of natural resources, bio-diversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife. Such initiative has been taken on the basis of thiassessment and with the help of the United Nations where 14 ministries and departments will work together.

In the speech of the chief guest, Saber Hossain Chowdhury said: "We possess an idea that environment and development are contradictory. But we have to get out of this mindset. That is why sustainable development principles have been adopted to make both possible."

"Earlier, many people used to destroy forests and environment by force. But now nothing can be done with influence. National interest should be seen first. That's why accounts are needed. Now the global environment is at war. But nature will never lose this battle. So there will be no development without the environment," he added.

He also said that the government is taking up the Bangabandhu Satellite-2 project and 11 more satellites will be launched under this programme. "Then it will be easier to get live data of natural resources as well."

In the speech of the special guest. Shahiduzzaman Sarker said survival is one of the thoughts of people now. "This thought drives people forward. And for this survival, one has to approach nature. The richer our data base, the better we can plan for sustainable development. A proper survey is required for this."

Dr Shahanaz Arefin said: "We have no scope to do anything except nature. Development should be promoted from within nature. Accounting for natural resources requires everyone's help."