$5.4m climate adaptation project launched

The government along with United Nations Development Programme launched yesterday the first ever climate change adaptation project of $5.4 million at the city's Ban Bhaban in Agargaon.

At the workshop organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Department of Forests and UNDP Bangladesh, the four-year long "Community-based adaptation to climate change through coastal afforestation in Bangladesh" project was undertaken.

The project focuses on coastal afforestation and diversifications of employment, which is a top priority in the National Adaptation Programme of Action for climate change.

An aim of the project is to plant mangrove trees on coastal areas in five districts--Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali and Chittagong--that would help prevent the areas from inundation, building up a natural embankment.

It would also alleviate the impact of rising sea level and tidal surges.

UNDP Country Director Stefan Priesner said, "The afforestation will provide a protective belt against cyclones, tidal surges, and sea level rise for vulnerable coastal communities and create opportunities for future carbon sequestration."

He called upon the country's policy makers to expand the programme, implementing it along the stretch of 700-kilometre coastal line to reduce climate related risks.

It will exemplify a model for other developed countries, he added.

Assistant Country Director Aminul Islam said the aim of the project is to develop resilience of people faced with climate change and reduce the vulnerability of coastal areas through interventions.

Gernot Laganda, UNDP regional adviser on climate change adaptation, said that the project would help the local communities to be more adaptive to climate change by protecting their life from adverse and threatening situations.

Md Abdul Mutaleb, chief conservator of forests, said coastal afforestation might be done along 11,000 kilometres of embankment of Water Development Board.

The cost of the project has been estimated at $5.4 million (around Tk37 crore). Of which, Global Environment Facility (GEF)/ Least Developed Countries Climate Change Fund will contribute $3.3 million while UNDP $1.1 million. Bangladesh government will provide for the rest.

MOEF Secretary Mihir Kanti Mazumder, also project director, chaired the inaugural session.

Adviser to the national disaster committee MP Dhirendranath Shambhu, among others, spoke on the occasion.