1. Environmental Issues of Bangladesh Dr Mahfuzul Haque Former Secretary, GOB

2. Eco-Profile of Bangladesh Bangladesh is a live delta-largest delta in the world Bangladesh is a live delta-largest delta in the world 140 million people confined within 144,000 sq kms 140 million people confined within 144,000 sq kms Around 230 rivers and tributaries cris-cross the country like a mesh Around 230 rivers and tributaries cris-cross the country like a mesh 40% of land mass less than one meter (3.3 ft) above sea level 40% of land mass less than one meter (3.3 ft) above sea level 3 major rivers carry 2.4 billion tons of silt (1/5 th ) annually 3 major rivers carry 2.4 billion tons of silt (1/5 th ) annually 54 common rivers and 92% of catchment area is outside Bangladesh territory 54 common rivers and 92% of catchment area is outside Bangladesh territory Catchment Areas: Bangladesh: 08%, India: 62%, China: 18%, Nepal:08%, Bhutan: 04% Catchment Areas: Bangladesh: 08%, India: 62%, China: 18%, Nepal:08%, Bhutan: 04% Issue is multilateral and not bilateral Issue is multilateral and not bilateral

3. Eco-Profile of Bangladesh Haors and Baors in the North, North-East and West Haors and Baors in the North, North-East and West Barind in the West: changes taking place Barind in the West: changes taking place Chittagong Hills in the South-East Chittagong Hills in the South-East Flood plain: 80%, Hilly: 12%, uplifted terrace: 8% Flood plain: 80%, Hilly: 12%, uplifted terrace: 8% Coastal areas in the south subject to salinity intrusion and natural disasters Coastal areas in the south subject to salinity intrusion and natural disasters Natural disasters like flood, cyclone, tornado, tidal bore, draught and desertification are common features Natural disasters like flood, cyclone, tornado, tidal bore, draught and desertification are common features Bad floods: 1987, 1988, 1998, 2004, 2007 Bad floods: 1987, 1988, 1998, 2004, 2007 Conical shape in the Bay of Bengal attracts cyclonic storms causing enormous casualties Conical shape in the Bay of Bengal attracts cyclonic storms causing enormous casualties

4. Issues of Concern Unplanned population growth: In a country of 150 million people, 50% population is below 15 years of age. Unemployment, lack of basic facilities, rural- urban migration causing mushrooming of slums continue Unplanned population growth: In a country of 150 million people, 50% population is below 15 years of age. Unemployment, lack of basic facilities, rural- urban migration causing mushrooming of slums continue Poverty and Malnutrition: Over 40% population live in abject poverty. Poor literacy and life expectancy, high infant and maternal mortality rate, the country is under stress Poverty and Malnutrition: Over 40% population live in abject poverty. Poor literacy and life expectancy, high infant and maternal mortality rate, the country is under stress

5. Issues of Concern Natural Disaster: The floods of 1987 and 1988 were devastating. 1998 flood inundated two-thirds of Bangladesh for two months. 2004 and 2007 floods continue to wreck havoc. Besides floods, cyclones, tornadoes, tidal bores, drought continue to visit us. Natural Disaster: The floods of 1987 and 1988 were devastating. 1998 flood inundated two-thirds of Bangladesh for two months. 2004 and 2007 floods continue to wreck havoc. Besides floods, cyclones, tornadoes, tidal bores, drought continue to visit us. Threats to Sustainable Agriculture : Excessive use of agro-chemicals, insecticides and pesticides along with new hybrid crops continue to pose threat to our agriculture. Loss of soil, soil erosion, salinity intrusion, water logging due to FCD/I are affecting our agriculture. Threats to Sustainable Agriculture : Excessive use of agro-chemicals, insecticides and pesticides along with new hybrid crops continue to pose threat to our agriculture. Loss of soil, soil erosion, salinity intrusion, water logging due to FCD/I are affecting our agriculture.

6. Issues of Concern Water Quality and Availability: Ground-water mining, arsenic contamination, pollution from agro-chemicals, industrial effluents and municipal wastes are all affecting our waters. Water Quality and Availability: Ground-water mining, arsenic contamination, pollution from agro-chemicals, industrial effluents and municipal wastes are all affecting our waters. Pressure on Land: Land-use change affecting agricultural lands coupled with landlessness due to river-bank erosion. Common Property Resources (CPR) over-exploited and getting reduced. Pressure on Land: Land-use change affecting agricultural lands coupled with landlessness due to river-bank erosion. Common Property Resources (CPR) over-exploited and getting reduced.

7. Issues of Concern Depletion of Forests: Felling of trees for timber, fuel and fodder reduced our reserved forests by 50% in last 20 years. Salinity intrusion and top- dying affected the Sundarbans. Rubber, acacia replacing the local indigenous trees. Depletion of Forests: Felling of trees for timber, fuel and fodder reduced our reserved forests by 50% in last 20 years. Salinity intrusion and top- dying affected the Sundarbans. Rubber, acacia replacing the local indigenous trees. Threat to Fisheries: Effluent discharge, excessive use of agro-chemicals, faulty shrimp fry collection, exotic variety, FCD/I structures and flooding are all threatening the fisheries sector. Threat to Fisheries: Effluent discharge, excessive use of agro-chemicals, faulty shrimp fry collection, exotic variety, FCD/I structures and flooding are all threatening the fisheries sector.

8. Issues of Concern Energy Crisis: Crisis for fuel and fodder forcing people to use bio-mass at an alarming rate. Types and availability of energy remain uncertain affecting national coffer. Energy Crisis: Crisis for fuel and fodder forcing people to use bio-mass at an alarming rate. Types and availability of energy remain uncertain affecting national coffer. Hazards of Industrialization: Industries, real estate buildings continue to pollute our water bodies, soil and air. Wetlands are being converted for industrialization at an alarming rate. Hazards of Industrialization: Industries, real estate buildings continue to pollute our water bodies, soil and air. Wetlands are being converted for industrialization at an alarming rate.

9. Debate over Sustainable Agriculture 1972: Food production was 10 ml MT with 3 ml MT shortage for a population of 75 ml 1972: Food production was 10 ml MT with 3 ml MT shortage for a population of 75 ml 2006: Food production is about 30 ml MT with negligible shortage for a population of 140 ml 2006: Food production is about 30 ml MT with negligible shortage for a population of 140 ml Amazingly 10 ml farmers make a silent revolution Amazingly 10 ml farmers make a silent revolution High Yield Variety (HYV) versus Indigenous Variety High Yield Variety (HYV) versus Indigenous Variety Invasion by Hybrid (GM seeds) Invasion by Hybrid (GM seeds) Use of agro-chemicals versus Integrated Pest management (IPM) Use of agro-chemicals versus Integrated Pest management (IPM) Ground Water versus Surface Water irrigation Ground Water versus Surface Water irrigation

10. Debate over Sustainable Hill Agriculture 1/12 th of Bangladesh in CHT is hilly 1/12 th of Bangladesh in CHT is hilly High lands in the central part High lands in the central part What agriculture is suitable for the hills What agriculture is suitable for the hills Sedentary Cultivation versus Jhum Cultivation Sedentary Cultivation versus Jhum Cultivation Use of agro-chemicals Use of agro-chemicals Sustainable Hill Agriculture Sustainable Hill Agriculture

11. Debate over Energy Sources of Energy? Sources of Energy? Non-Renewable Energy versus Renewable Energy Non-Renewable Energy versus Renewable Energy Non-Renewable: Coal, natural gas, petrol, diesel, biomass Non-Renewable: Coal, natural gas, petrol, diesel, biomass Renewable: Bio-gas, hydro-power, solar, wind power, wave action Renewable: Bio-gas, hydro-power, solar, wind power, wave action Whether clean energy affordable? Which energy is suitable for the country? Whether clean energy affordable? Which energy is suitable for the country?

12. Probable Interventions Policy Interventions Policy Interventions Program/Project Implementation Program/Project Implementation Legislation and Enforcement Legislation and Enforcement Institutional Development Institutional Development Awareness and Advocacy Awareness and Advocacy

13. Thank You