In a seminar titled “The Time is Now to Protect Land and Water Bodies from Global Warming, Drought, and Desertification”, it was revealed that approximately 17% of the coastal areas in Bangladesh could be submerged by 2050. The seminar was held on Thursday (June 6) at the Department of Environment auditorium.
The event was organized by 16 environmental organizations, including the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS).
Presided over by the Director General of the Department of Environment, Dr. Abdul Hamid, the seminar featured speeches by Tanvir Shakil Joy, President of the Climate Parliament and Member of Parliament, Architect Iqbal Habib, and Amatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury, a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Primary and Mass Education and a member of the Climate Parliament. The seminar was moderated by Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of BAPA, and the keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and Chairperson of CAPS. Other presenters included Sanjida Khan Ripa, Program Manager at LRD, and Rehmuna Nurain, Research Coordinator at BELA.
Key Points Discussed:
1. Tanvir Shakil Joy
He emphasized the need to consider environmental consequences in every developmental activity. He stated that development cannot be solely the government’s responsibility—everyone must contribute. He called for public awareness about prioritizing environmental conservation.
2. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder
He highlighted the risk of desertification caused by climate change, drought, and human activities, which is gradually turning fertile lands into deserts. He warned that around 17% of coastal areas in Bangladesh may be submerged by 2050. He also discussed water bodies and trees in Dhaka’s city corporation areas, providing comparative data. Furthermore, he noted that approximately 13–14 districts in Bangladesh are experiencing drought, threatening a 20–30% reduction in crop production. In the next 20–25 years, regions such as Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon are expected to exhibit desert-like characteristics. The only solution to these issues, he said, is extensive afforestation and tree-planting initiatives.
3. Architect Iqbal Habib
He called for unified action from individuals to government departments, urging stronger authority and accountability from the government. He also demanded a more robust role for the Department of Environment.
4. Dr. Abdul Hamid
He highlighted various environmental initiatives by the Department of Environment and encouraged collaboration in these efforts. He also assured financial support if necessary and concluded by thanking the 16 organizations for their involvement.
The seminar shed light on the urgent need for environmental conservation and emphasized collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change. It called for stronger policies, increased public awareness, and proactive measures like tree-planting and afforestation to combat the threats of rising temperatures, drought, and desertification.
