Tangail: Adviser of the interim government on the environment, forest, and climate change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, today urged all stakeholders to ensure the proper utilization of the climate fund and to prevent any misuse. “There is no scope of misappropriation of the money disbursed for Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF),” she stated while addressing a function.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programme, titled ‘International Environment Conference 2024,’ was organized by ‘Sabuj Prithibi,’ a local organization focused on environmental issues. The interim government has approved seven projects from the BCCTF under a new guideline, Rizwana mentioned, expressing optimism that there would be no allegations of misappropriation. She highlighted that the government is not sanctioning new brick kiln fields, opting instead for the use of blocks in various projects. Social forestation will be promoted in reserve forests, with profits distributed among beneficiaries.
Rizwana emphasized the prima
ry duty of the forest department is to protect natural forests rather than distribute funds. She advocated for planting indigenous tree species over eucalyptus and acacia in forestation projects and stressed the importance of resolving conflicts between the forest department and farmers to secure farmers’ rights. Ensuring harmonious coexistence among forest workers, dwellers, and wildlife is essential, she noted.
She also called for measures to protect agriculture from climate change and urged citizens to reduce the environmental burden by minimizing polythene use and combating pollution. Rizwana stated that active participation and collective efforts are vital to safeguarding Bangladesh’s environment. She stressed public awareness and responsible actions to mitigate climate change’s adverse effects, noting that government initiatives alone are insufficient, and emphasized the crucial role of individual and collective efforts, particularly by the younger generation, in promoting eco-friendly technologies.
T
he event also featured speeches from Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Professor Dr. Shahidul Haque of Bangladesh Agricultural University, ASPADA Environmental Development Foundation Executive Director Lion M. A. Rashid, Secretary General of Riverine People Sheikh Rokon, and Green Earth’s General Secretary Shahid Mahmud. The function was presided over by the Director of Bureau Bangladesh, Farmina Hossain.