Lawmakers call for setting up research centre on climate change
Chief Whip Md Abdus Shahid MP speaks at a dialogue on 'Climate change and proposed budget 2009-10' at Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday. On his right are Abdul Momin Talukder MP and Syed Abul Moksud and on his left is Ayesha Khanam. Photo: STAR
Lawmakers at a dialogue yesterday said an international research centre on climate change could be set up in the country to monitor and forecast the impacts of global climate change. The utilisation of climate change funds should be monitored from time to time and the funds be released in the first quarter of the fiscal year (FY) instead of the third quarter, they said. The national dialogue on 'Climate change and proposed budget 2009-2010' was organised by All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on MDGs, WTO, PRSP and Bangladesh Development Forum and People's Empowerment Trust (PET) at the Cirdap auditorium in the city. Chairing the dialogue, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Abdus Shahid, also chairperson of APGG, said, "Climate change has been the most pressing issue which has already gripped us and media has to play a vital role in creating awareness of the issue among people." He said an international research centre could be established here to measure, monitor and forecast the impacts of climate change across the country. Lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury said climate change should be regarded as a separate sector. He also proposed setting up a research centre on climate change. Regarding management of the climate change fund, he said, “Usually, the fund is released in the third quarter of an FY, it should be released on the first quarter of a fiscal and that be monitored closely.” Lawmaker Nazrul Islam Manju said, “Cautionary signal system in the country is very week. We cannot forecast threats earlier and evacuate people in time from the vulnerable areas which cause huge casualties.” He also stressed the need for setting up a research centre, saying that the rehabilitation programmes after a natural disaster should be more effective. The lawmakers expressed satisfaction as the government has allocated Tk 700 crore in the proposed budget for the climate change fund for the next FY. Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, associate professor of public administration at Rajshahi University, presented a keynote paper at the dialogue which was also addressed by Syed Abul Maksud, columnist; Abdul Momin Talukder, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on environment and forest ministry; Mahabub Ara Begum Gini, lawmaker; and Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
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