The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Environment and Forest Raja Debasish Roy urged all to make efforts to reduce dependence on carbon-based energy saying their economical use would largely help reducing level of carbon in the air, the main causes of greenhouse affect.

Inaugurating the programmes of the World Environment Day at the Osmani Memorial Hall here on Thursday, he said, "Wherever it is possible, we should use and promote wind, hydro and solar power instead of fossil fuel to keep our atmosphere clean and carbon free.

Pointing out this year's theme of the day-'Kick the habit! Towards A Low Carbon Economy', Raja Debasish said the theme put great emphasis on urgent need of lessening our dependence on fossil fuel across the globe.

Referring to the scientific indications on earth's climate, he said about 30 per cent bio-diversity on the planet would be at risk, provided, temperature of the earth increases one and half degree to two and half degree along with creating great danger for four billion people of tropical countries of Asia.

He said Bangladesh, despite having its very little contribution to climate change, might loss its 20 percent land due to sea level rise by 2050 and sea water would likely to enter into 100 kilometre inside, posing threat to agriculture, drinking water and environment.

The Special Assistant urged all to make their concerted efforts to save the country from the impending situation and said regeneration of mangrove across the coastline and a green belt from Khulna to Teknaf might save Bangladesh from recurrent cyclones and water surges.

With Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests AHM Rezaul Kabir in the chair, the function was addressed, among others by Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Khandakar Rashedul Haque.

At the function, noted environmentalist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and UNEP's 'Champion of the Earth 2008' award recipient Dr Atiq A. Rahman and Managing Director of Grameen Shakti Bhupal Barua were given award for their contribution in environment study, research and technology development.

Raja Debasish Roy highlighted the steps taken by the government for improvement and solution of the indigenous environmental problems and said the government would take necessary legal and administrative measures for simplification of the judicial system to settle the cases relating to environment.

Later, the Special Assistant inaugurated a two-day 'Paribesh Mela' on the Osmani Memorial Hall premises.