Latest Bangladesh News Online
A record-breaking heatwave in Bangladesh is making life miserable for millions. The breakdown of Dhaka's surrounding wetlands and forests in recent decades has left the city with no defence from the heat. And as the climate crisis bites, the situation is only getting worse. Mohammad Kamruzzaman reports.
Source: TRTworld.com
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan today said trains will be operating on Dhaka-Bhanga route via the Padma Bridge by this September.
He said this while inaugurating the construction of 86-km stone railway line from Bhanga to Jashore at Bhanga Y junction point this afternoon.
The work of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is progressing rapidly. Huge work is going on to build railway lines without stone at three points and with stone at one point to connect Dhaka to Padma Bridge. Construction work of railway line with stone and railway line without stone is going on simultaneously.
The minister inspected the progress of the railway project and said that Dhaka-Mawa section will be inaugurated in September and that Dhaka-Bhanga train movement will start in September.
He said the construction work of the rail line from Dhaka to Jashore over the Padma Bridge will be completed by June next year.
Major General AKM Rezaul Majid, Chief Coordinator of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, Project Director Afzal Hossain, Deputy Coordinator of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Brigadier General Saeed Ahmed, Project Manager of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project-2 Brigadier General Ahmed Jamiul Islam and Project Manager-3 Brigadier General Shamsul Alam Shams, among others, were present.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
The Forest Department has re-excavated about 80 ponds in the Sundarbans, the country’s lone natural habitat for the Bengal Tiger, aiming to ensure freshwater for wildlife.
“We have re-excavated about 80 ponds in the Sundarbans so that wild animals, including tigers, do not face any trouble in finding sweet water,” Divisional Forest Officer (Sundarbans West Division) and director of tiger conservation project Director Abu Naser Mohsin told BSS.
In March 2022, the Bangladesh Forest Department initiated a three-year “Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project” to conserve the Bengal tigers in the mangrove forest. As part of the project, the Forest Department restored the freshwater sources in the Sundarbans.
Mohsin said these ponds are yet to completely fill up with water as there are no enough rains right now. But, once monsoon will start, the ponds will be poured with rainwater, allowing wild animals to have fresh water easily from those reservoirs,” he said.
The Sundarbans is the only mangrove forest in the world that supports tigers’ habitat. But its ecosystem continues to degrade due to frequent natural disasters and human intervention as well.
Every year, cyclones and storm surges hit the forest, destroying its freshwater sources, which puts wildlife in crisis of drinking water.
Freshwater ponds in the Sundarbans became salinated following Cyclone Amphan flooded most parts of the mangrove forest in 2020.
Besides, drastic fall of water flow in the Sundarbans rivers is also contributing to rapid degradation of mangrove ecosystem. Many rivers and canals dried up in the forest in lack of water flow.
Former chief conservator of forest and former country representative of IUCN Bangladesh Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad said when freshwater sources, particularly ponds, get contaminated with saline water due to cyclones or storm surges, the wild animals including tigers and monkeys are forced to drink water from these salinated ponds.
He said if the wild animals drink saltwater for quite a long time, they become vulnerable to many diseases causing their immature deaths.
When the wild animals face scarcity of freshwater inside the forest, they are forced to enter localities in search of drinking water, leading to human-wildlife conflicts, he said.
According to the Forest Department, trespass of Sundarban tigers to locality has been increased more than 50 times in the last 15 years, leading to loss of lives due to human-animal conflict.
The Forest Department’s data revealed that about 49 tigers died in the Sundarbans from 2001 to 2021.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-13 arrested two alleged drug traders with 74.60 kilograms of ganja from Kashimpur area on the Rangpur-Dhaka highway in Mithapukur upazila of the district on Friday evening.
“On a tip off, an operational team of the Crime Prevention Specialised Company (CPSC) of RAB-13 searched a private car there and seized the contraband ganja and three mobile phone sets and arrested them from the spot,” a press release said today.
During the raid, the elite force also seized the private car used for carrying ganja from the possession of the detainees.
The arrested persons were identified as Jelina Akhter Jasmine, daughter of Md. Foyez Mian of village Chandrakhana and Md. Ashraful Haque, son of Md. Nazrul Haque of village Gojerkuthi in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram district.
During preliminary interrogation, the detainees admitted that they had been involved in drug trading in Rangpur and adjoining districts for a long time.
“After filing a case in this connection, the elite force handed over the arrested persons to Mithapukur police station,” the release added.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Serajul Alam Khan, one of the organisers of the Liberation War, who passed away on Friday, was buried next to his mother's grave at his family graveyard at Alipur village of Begumganj upazila in the district this afternoon.
Following his third Namaz-e-Janaza held on the premises of Begumganj Government Pilot High School, he was buried wrapping with his beloved mother's 'saree' beside the grave of Syeda Zakia Khatun (his mother) as per his last desire with state honor.
A guard of honor was presented to the valiant freedom fighter Serajul Alam Khan by Begumganj thana police prior to his burial.
Member of Parliament of Noakhali-3 Constituency Md Mamunur Rashid Kiron expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Founder of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Serajul Alam Khan.
Serajul Alam breathed his last at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) at the age of 82 around 2.30 pm on Friday.
He was born on 6 January, 1941 in Noakhali district. He studied in Khulna Zilla School, Dhaka College and University of Dhaka.
He served as the general secretary of Chhatra League from 1963 to 1965.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Homestead gardening has been meeting nutrition demands side by side with a vibrant rural economy as most of the households are seen involved in farming vegetables and fruits in homestead and other vacant places in their catchment areas.
Everywhere in the region, including its vast Barind tract, Scores of grassroots people are cultivating vegetables, spices and fruits on homesteads and other fallow land near their abode round the year and changing their fortunes.
Muhammad Mohiuddin, a resident of Damkura village under Paba Upazila, said he has set up a vegetable and fruit garden on around two decimals of fallen land around their house and get fruits and vegetables all the year.
After meeting the family demands, he has sold vegetables and fruits, including papaya, banana, kulboroi (plum), kamranga (star fruit), and earned around Taka 8,000 during the last one year.
He said the garden has become the main source of meeting their nutrition demands with earning.
Piarul Islam, 46, another farmer of Phulbari village under Godagari Upazila, said he has got the way of changing his fortune through homestead gardening of dalim (pomegranate) , bean, bottle gourd, tomato, radish, red amaranth, spinach, batishak, cabbage, garden pea, bush bean, brinjal, chili, onion and garlic.
"We are very much happy with the encouraging yield of homestead gardening," said Shaheda Begum, a farmer of Ishwaripur village, adding that it is helpful in improving the living and livelihood conditions of the villagers.
Belly Begum, 35, has become economically solvent through farming of vegetables on homesteads as its demand has been increasing gradually in the society.
A resident of Dighipara village under Paba Upazila in the district, Begum is earning cash money through selling varieties of vegetables. With full-length support from her husband and children, she is growing the chemical-free safe vegetables.
She has learnt about the importance of bio-fertilizer, seed conservation and seed exchange besides getting knowledge about proper and sustainable use of land to protect its productivity.
She continued that her vegetables are chemical free and most of those are sold from her house regularly. That's why she does not often need to take those vegetables to the market for sale.
In a choked voice, she stated that her previous life was not pleasant and she struggled a lot to enhance her family income. To get rid of poverty, she started growing vegetables in her homestead side by side with rearing poultry birds and goats.
Currently, she can fulfill the nutrition demand of her family members through consuming the chemical free vegetable, milk and meat from domestic animals.
Being inspired from Begum's success, many other neighbors have been growing vegetables in their respective homesteads applying organic methods for the last couple of years.
Ali Hossain, another farmer of Baroipara village, cultivated bottle gourd, cucumber and coriander on 16 decimals of land on his homestead by using organic fertilizer this year, and I got expected production.
Sub-assistant Agriculture Officer Atanu Sarker opined that homestead gardening fosters self-sufficiency of people. "We are working together to make the family gardening profitable and sustainable," he added.
On behalf of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the farmers are being imparted training on vegetable farming.
Various inputs and other logistic supports, including seed, vermicompost and saplings of fruit trees, are being provided to the trained farmers for encouraging them in farming.
The DAE has been promoting homestead gardening under its project titled 'Establishment of Family Nutrition Gardens in Uncultivated Fallen Lands and Backyards'.
Ultimate goal of the project is to contribute to the economic recovery and resilience of the villagers, including the marginalized communities badly affected by the adverse impact of the pandemic.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Agriculture Minister and Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait at Baker Hostel of Islamia College, now Moulana Azad College, in Kolkata, India.
"Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has always been a constant source of awakening our patriotism and consciousness," said Abdur Razzaque, a press release said here today.
Bangabandhu involved himself in politics at an early age and took a vow for the well-being of people, said Dr Razzaque, also the Awami League (AL) presidium member.
"By visiting the institutions and dormitories where Bangabandhu studied and lived during his youth, we can sharpen the spirit of our Liberation War and independence," he added.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Andalib Elias was present on the occasion.
The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had got admission at Islamia College (now Maulana Azad College) in the 1940s. He was a resident student of room number 24 of Baker Hostel of the college.
The West Bengal government is now preserving the room as 'Bangabandhu Smrity Kakkha'.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
A seminar on earthquake tiled "Commemoration of 12 June 1897 Great Indian Earthquake: Towards Preparedness and Awareness for Earthquake Risk Mitigation" was held today at Dhaka University's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate auditorium.
Local Government, Rural Department and Cooperatives Minister Tajul Islam addressed the seminar as chief guest while State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman attended as special guest, chaired by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) ASM Maksud kamal.
Tajul Islam said, "Awareness is the key to deal with the earthquakes. And thus, the present government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken far-reaching plans in this regard and already achieved significant success in dealing with various calamities".
The minister called upon everyone including educational and research institutions, public representatives, various government and private institutions and organizations involved in rescue operations, to work together to deal with the earthquake and mitigate the damage.
In the seminar, Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, DU Earth and Environment Sciences dean Prof Dr Md Zillur Rahman and ActionAid Bangladesh Consortium Manager AM Nasir Uddin presented three separate papers.
DU Botany Department honorary Professor Dr Badrul Imam and Professor Dr Rakib Ahsan of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology also spoke.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Shabda Bimbama Satyamohan’, a collection of writings highlighting contributions of late centenarian Satya Mohan Joshi, has been launched. Writers and litterateurs, including senior journalist Bhairab Risal jointly launched the book amid a function here on Saturday.
Published by Bhundipuran Publications and edited by Gopi Krishna Dhungana, the book has featured main writings and pictures of Joshi, articles, editorials, interviews, news and poems about him, and reflections on him by writers, litterateurs and journalists.
Divided into eight parts, the book has 32 writings and feature news, seven editorials, three interviews, 12 news, and three poems about Joshi. The 408-page book is priced at Rs 590.
On the occasion, journalist Risal praised culture expert Joshi as exceptional and brilliant person who received respect and honour by the society.
Similarly, journalist Shree Om Rodan viewed that Joshi, who lived a simple life, has been an inspiration for all in the form of live museum and heritage. Prof Dr Lekh Prasad Niraula said the late Joshi was a towering person in Nepali society in terms of his contributions to Nepal’s history, culture, literature and humanity. Dhungana termed Joshi a live human civilization while shedding light on his struggle. Book Publisher Keshab Prasad Parajuli said Joshi was a n revered personality for all. ---
Source: National News Agency-Nepal
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the main leader of a notorious drug racket during a raid in city's Jatrabari area last night.
The arrestee was identified as Md Billah Hossain, 45, son of late Md Hazrat Ali of Dogail Paschim Para village under Demra thana of the Dhaka city.
Confirming the matter, RAB-3 commanding officer Lt Col Arif Mohiuddin Ahmed told BSS today that acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-3 conducted a sudden raid at Maniknagar-Golapbagh area under Jatrabari thana around 10.15 pm and arrested Billal from the spot.
During the time, RAB seized 172 bottles of phensedyl and one motorcycle from his possession, he added.
Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Media) of RAB-3 Farzana Haque said that the arrested confessed to the RAB about his involvement with drug business for long.
For a long time, he has been buying and selling phensedyl consignments from different border areas of the country and delivering those in different areas of the capital, she added.
"Multiple syndicates are involved with him. There are several cases, including drug cases filed against him with various police stations," she said.
He was handed over to the police of Jatrabari police station after interrogation, she said.
A case was filed with the police station concerned under the Narcotics Control Act, said the RAB official.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
CPN (UML) chairperson KP Sharma Oli has suggested to women employees to move ahead for capacity building along with the struggle for attaining rights.
Addressing the second national women gathering of Nepal Civil Service Employees Organization here today, Chairperson Oli highlighted the need of capacity to achieve success in any field.
'Struggle for attainment of rights as well as capacity building is necessary. I presume this gathering has been organized to move ahead with planned efforts for capacity enhancement', Oli said, stressing the need for attaining rights and protecting them.
Saying that the CPN (UML) has been pitching for equality since its establishment, chair Oli further said they would in no way deviate from its assumption.
He expressed displeasure for the handover of the Fukot Karnali project to the Indian company. ---
Source: National News Agency-Nepal
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma urged mobile entrepreneurs to assist the government’s efforts to strictly implement the mobile device management system (MDMS).
The government is ever ready to promote welfare of mobile entrepreneurs for helping implement the system that aims to curb tax evasion.
“Apart from a means of entertainment, mobile is becoming an essential medium. The incumbent government is pursuing ‘faceless governance’ while materialising ‘mobile in hand, internet at home’ campaign launched when Krishna Bahadur Bahara was the communications minister in 2063 BS,” she said while addressing the second annual general meeting of the Nepal Mobile Entrepreneurs Federation (NMEF).
The minister asked the entrepreneurs to operate a business to repair mobile phones for reuse instead of importing branded ones. The government has a policy of allocating and investing one percent of the total budget in such business as it creates job opportunities at home, and reduces outflow of currency of the country, the minister noted.
On the occasion, the NMEF Central President Bharat Bhattarai said mobile entrepreneurs who have paid over Rs 40 billion in revenues and provided jobs to more than 50,000 people have come across problems of various sorts.
Some factors like a low margin on sale of mobile phones, ‘unusual’ competition online and offline and the imposition of strict measures on the import of mobile phones have worsened the situation, he said. He demanded the government guarantee professional and social security for mobile entrepreneurs based on the ratio of revenue paid to the state. He assured of facilitating the government to produce skilled workforce at home.
Director General of the Inland Revenue Department Dirgha Raj Mainali pledged for relieving mobile entrepreneurs of unnecessary hassles in seeking government service while creating awareness about taxes in cooperation between the Department and the NMEF.
Similarly, senior vice president of the Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bishwo Raj Bajracharya called for addressing problems facing mobile entrepreneurs.
Source: National News Agency-Nepal