The New Nation - Internet Edition

BANGLADESH is likely to be faced with devastating climate change impacts. Actually, such a process is said to have already started. The country is in urgent need for a long-term and comprehensive plan to deal with the adverse effects on its environment and the economy. Therefore, special allocation to offset or adapt to climate change effects should be a regular feature of the national budget. Experts at a roundtable demanded allocation of more fund in the new budget.

Rapid global warming has caused changes to the climatic conditions. According to IPCC Special Report on the Regional Impacts of Climate Change, Bangladesh is 'especially at risk' from sea-level rise and its implications like coastal erosion and land loss, inundation and sea flooding and increasing salinity of rivers. About 16 per cent of the total land area of the country is feared to go under seawater due to sea level rise. It would cause huge damage to agriculture and forestry seriously affecting the national economy. About 17 million people might have to migrate to other areas. Natural calamities like cyclones, frequent floods, untimely and excessive rainfall and droughts are likely to affect the country.

A strategic plan to deal with the threats posed by climate change needs to be developed on an urgent basis. The devastating natural calamities last year affected every aspect of life including agriculture, forestry, communication and other infrastructure. The losses could not yet be recuperated. Such damages are likely to repeat with increased intensity and frequency of disasters. Ways and means should be evolved to cope with the changed climatic conditions and their immediate and long-term impacts. The government should allocate more fund to carry on necessary adaptation activities on a priority basis.