Draft of nat'l policy in one year

The caretaker government (CG) has taken an initiative to formulate a national policy and action plan with a view to reducing the risks and sufferings due to global climate change.
Agriculture, Fisheries & Livestock and Environment and Forest Adviser Dr Chowdhury Sajjadul Karim launched the initiative at a city hotel yesterday.
The draft of the national climate change policy will be finalised within next one year after consultation with the national and international experts, development partners and all other stockholders, Mohammad Reazuddin, director of Department of Environment, said in his keynote speech.
At the launching ceremony, participants said different ministries, departments, agencies, non-government organisations, research institutions and mass media will have to be involved for preparing the national policy.
Adviser Karim said Bangladesh is a low-lying country and highly vulnerable to climate change and majority of the people, the economy and ecological condition are already affected due to global warming for which developed countries are primarily responsible.
Lauding the initiative in his speech as the chief guest, he said they will be able to formulate a national climate change policy and action plan within a shortest possible time. All stockholders, experts, development agencies and concerned authorities will support them, he added.
He said flash floods, heavy downpour over short spell, landslides and increased temperature are occurring due to global climate change.
Reazuddin presented a roadmap and proposed a work plan for preparing the policy. He said global climate change threatens development, challenges poverty reduction and questions human security.
Department of Environment and Ministry of Environment and Forest jointly organised the launching ceremony where Director General of Department of Environment M Khandaker Rashedul Haque, Environment and Forest Joint Secretary M Qamar Munir and Department for International Development Head Chris Austin also spoke at the function.