From debris to development

Agriculture and environment adviser CS Karim in an exchange of views session with The Daily Star unveiled a recovery plan and an adaptation vision against the backdrop of cyclone Sidr. The catastrophe following two successive floods forebode more of climatic change-induced disruptions which call for an adaptation strategy. That's why the adviser's exchange of views yielded two sets of recommendations: one for a short and medium term recovery, and another for long term adaptation and preparedness to meet the challenges thrown up by climatic changes.
Among the short term measures is a government decision to plant high-yield hybrid Boro over 10 lakh hectares instead of 2.5 lakh hectares. The government is to work with the NGOs this time to checkmate corruption in disbursement of agri-loans and distribution of implements, seeds and fertiliser. In the medium term, better housing and improved livelihood options will have to be utilised like for example stronger building material on elevated plots and more durable fishing trawlers. In this category falls the task of investing in agriculture research to secure increased crop yields in lesser land area.
Bangladesh is among the frontline countries at the receiving end of climatic changes: droughts, excessive rains and floods, cyclones and sea surges with salinity intrusions into the interior. We are a populated deltaic country that has for centuries shaped our lifestyle and culture but now it seems we are in for harder life to cope with changing pattern of climate. Since we face new challenges a massive national awareness building exercise will have to be undertaken to instill a sense of adaptation in the people's mind.
Not only that, they need to know in what areas they have to adapt themselves and what techniques they have got to use for the purpose. Internationally, we must play a hands-on role in projecting the survival context we are being catapulted into -- thanks to continuing indifference to the urgent need for cuts in emission of green house gases by the worst polluters of the environment, their financing in adaptation strategies and research work for alternative technologies for the benefit of the developing countries. If the planet survives, we all survive.