Environmental Security in Bangladesh

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 Environmental Security in Bangladesh

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study was conducted as part of Masters Course. We would like to thank department of
International relations for providing us the chance this study. Our heartfelt thanks to our supervisor
Dr A.S.M Ali Ashraf, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, University of
Dhaka, who has been most patient and most helpful and has been a constant source of guidance
and encouragement. Without his support, this study would not have been possible. Our special
thanks to Staffs of Central Library of Dhaka University, who have extended their help to us
numerous time and materials us with their best efforts. We also would like to thank our honorable
teacher Mohammad Tanzim Uddin Khan, Associate Professor, Department of International
Relations, University of Dhaka, whose interview helped us to improve knowledge about
Environmental Security in Bangladesh issue. He also appreciated us to debate about
Environmental Security in Bangladesh issue and other related issues. His expertise has been most
important in completing the study.

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 Environmental Security in Bangladesh

Acronyms

ADB Asian Development Bank

AQMP Air quality management project
BAPA Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon
BELA Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association
BEN Bangladesh Environment Network
BIFPC Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company
BPDB Bangladesh Power Development Board BPDB
CBD Biodiversity Convention
CIDA Canadian International Development Agency
DoE Department of Environment
ECA Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act
ECR Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Rules
EDP Environment Development Project
GEF Global Environmental Fund
GOB Government of Bangladesh
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
NAPA National Adaptation Plan of Action
NEMAP National Environment Management Action Plan
NTPC National Thermal Power Corporation
ODS Montreal Protocol on Control of Substances that deplete Ozone Layer
POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants
SRF Sundarbans Reserve Forest
TSEV Two Stroke Engine Vehicles
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
UNCCC United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNFCCC United Nations Fund for the Climate Change Convention
WCED World Commission on Environment and Development
WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development
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 Environmental Security in Bangladesh

Content

1. Introduction 01-02
2. Research Question and Structure 02-03
3. Literature Review 03-05
4. Testing Conventional Wisdom and Alternative Explanation 05-06
5. Methodology and data Collection 06-07
6. Why Environment Is a Concern 07-08
7. Environmental security from Bangladeshi Perspective 08-09
8. Linkage between Environmental Security and other Securities 09-17
9. Environmental Policies of Bangladesh 18-19
10. Implementation of Bangladesh Environmental Policies 20-23
11. The Environmental Policy Gap 23-25
12. Initiatives from domestic level 25-28
13. Recommendations 28-33
14. Assessment of the paper 34-35
15. Conclusion 35
16. Annexes

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 Environmental Security in Bangladesh

1. Introduction

An introductory part holds the insight and the intention of a paper. In our paper we will be
discussing the environmental security issues in Bangladesh. It will be discussed from the
international level to the domestic level. International level deals with the available instruments
necessary to strengthen environmental security that includes how Bangladesh responded to it and
how firm stance Bangladesh took to safeguard its environment. And, the domestic level is
concerned with the measures undertaken at home. We assess Bangladesh's position in both levels
and eventually we draw a conclusion providing some necessary recommendations including a
mechanism or model which can be developed to coordinate environmental security with other
dimensions of security.

Figure: 1- Intensity of Impacts on Different Sectors due to Climate Change

Source: Bangladesh Adaption Programme of Action-2005

New global pressures now threaten the well-being and resilience of both human society
and the natural environment. These pressures include population growth, increased demand for
energy and materials, and competition for access to land, water, minerals, and other vital natural
resources. The resulting impacts include changes in global climate and degradation of clean air
and water, soil, forests, and wetlands, all of which have the potential to compromise energy
security, food security, supply chain security, and other domestic and international concerns.
Today the vitality of our ecosystems is already seriously threatened. According to the 2005

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Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 15 of 24 important global ecosystem services are being

degraded or used unsustainably (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Bangladesh is not out
of threat in that case. It matches all criteria of being geographically and demographically
vulnerable to environmental threats. Bangladesh is also vulnerable in the field of environmental
politics and man-made natural consequences. China is responsible for high amount of carbon
emission every year. Industrialization in India growing massively. As a neighbor Bangladesh have
to share the consequences it may possibly bring to us. Wide range of environmental degradation
is occurring at home which should be taken care of. Consequences of a failed environmental
diplomacy over river water sharing will be also a concern of this paper. In today's world like
traditional security concerns, non-traditional security issues like environmental threats also
became a dominant factor in the policy coordination. Because, threats do not always mean the use
of weapons when it comes to the issue of environment. It can do as much damage as a conflict or
war can cause.

2. Research Question and Structure

There are a lot of articles have been published on the environmental problems and its direct
effects on Bangladesh. But most of the articles on Environmental problem of Bangladesh just deals
with the causes, results and solutions of environmental change. Sometimes they explains its effects
with some cases studies. They basically miss out a lot of matters which are very important for
doing further study on environmental issues. Mainly, this article tries to find out the answer based
on two central questions:

1. Is Bangladesh properly addressing its environmental security issues in the international

level?
2. Are the initiatives and the available instruments/ mechanisms sufficient?

Basically, this paper is written part by part. Firstly, we describe conceptual part of this research
paper and literature review for identifying the gaps of research work on this field. Next, we focus
on the relations between environmental security and others security concerns such as national
security, economic growth, human security etc. Thirdly, we analyze the policies of Bangladesh
governments towards environment and its participation in the international conferences and in

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further diplomatic procedures. Afterward, we focus on the implementation of the policies of GoB
and find out the problems behind the proper implementation of those policies. Lastly, we draw a
conclusion by briefly analyzing the key findings discussing the policy implications and we offer
some recommendations as well.

3. Literature Review

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)1 started its mission as an

advocacy group of young lawyers developing legal techniques and strategies to protect the
environment and defend rights of communities dependent on nature and natural resources.
Founded by Dr. Mohiuddin Farooque, the organization has paved the way for environmental
legal activism in the country and has been the pioneer of public interest litigation in Bangladesh.
BELA has adopted various means to create awareness amongst the major actors and the common
people about their environmental rights and duties. BELA has published books and other
awareness materials, all having relevance to the concept of environmental protection and justice.
BELA has since filed more than 250 cases on environmental issues. The cases involve a wide
range of issues including river pollution, industrial pollution, vehicular pollution, labor welfare,
compensation for losses inflicted by development projects, encroachment and derogation of
important wetlands, relocation of industries, prevention of hill cutting, conservation of forests,
defending forest rights, fishermen’s rights and farmer’s rights amongst others.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA)2, acting as a pressure group against any kind of
environment degradation, is trying to create a broad-based citizen’s movement for protection and
betterment of environment in Bangladesh. It organizes seminars, meetings, conferences and
workshops to draw attention to general and specific problems in environment and educate the
public on such issues. It holds rallies and demonstrations to build up public awareness and secure
wide participation of people on environmental issues. It undertakes publications for education or
mobilization of public opinion.

The book “Environment and Development in Bangladesh” written by A. Atiq Rahman,

Saleemul Huq, Raana Haider and Eric G. Jansen provides us the information about

1
www.belabangla.org accessed on 25th may, 2014
2
http://www.bapa.org.bd accessed on 25th may, 2014

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environment. This book addresses all the major fields of environmental concerns and provides an
overview of important issues which should be taken into account when considering the future
development of Bangladesh.

“Protecting Bangladesh’s Environment: The Role of the Civil Society”, this famous
article is written by Nazrul Islam, where he explains that Bangladesh is experiencing serious
environmental degradation. In many respects, the situation has reached crisis proportions. Several
factors make Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to environmental damage. Bangladesh is making
some efforts to confront environmental problems. However, these efforts are not proving adequate
for the challenge. The underlying cause of the inadequacy is absence of a strong, broad-based
social movement for environmental protection in Bangladesh. The common people of Bangladesh
because of their link with the traditional mode of life are inherently environment-friendly.
However, they are also burdened with the daily struggle for survival. The intelligentsia and
members of the civil society will have to play a leading role in building up the necessary social
movement. The non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) and members of the international environment
movement can join the resident Bangladeshis (RB) in this effort.

Niloy Ranjan Biswas’s article titled, ““Environmental Security: Is Environment A

Security Threat?” where he explains that environment has strategic significance for nation-states.
Nations states create their power base on the natural resources like water, oil, gas and various other
natural energy sectors. Increasing state-control over nature has spillover effects on environmental
degradation and hence resulted in undue catastrophes such as uncontrolled migration, demographic
fall, and human casualties. Niloy Biswas mentioned the writing of Steve Lonergan in his paper
such as; a particular case of population displacement and scrutinizes how environmental change
and lots of other concerned stimuli contribute to insecurity and vulnerability.” Human induced
activities are also affecting the environmental security and responsible for the climate change. He
divides the human-induced activities that influence climate change into three related and
overlapping types; greenhouse gas emissions, aerosol emissions, and land use changes.

Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN)3 has been set up to facilitate communication

about Bangladesh's environmental problems. It is open to all Bangladeshis who are either residing

3
http://www.ben-global.org accessed on 27th may, 2014

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in Bangladesh or living abroad. BEN is also open to non-Bangladeshis who are interested in
Bangladesh's environmental problems.

4. Testing Conventional Wisdom and Alternative Explanation

Conventional wisdom: Environment, from the civilization of human being, was and has
always been the victim of "tragedy of the commons". Human nature is always exploitative. In the
past 5-6 decades environmental issues reached its extremity, as a result, from early 1970s
environmental security became a global concern. But, in the post-Cold War era environmental
issues were being taken into account in the policy coordination, both in domestic and international
levels. In a conventional view environmental security is concerned with the outcome of natural
catastrophe-driven threats on humankind. Natural disasters are inevitable and it happens because
of the change in natural forces which affect the life of the people. Environmental security measures
are undertaken to mitigate the outcome of the natural catastrophe and post-disaster management.

Figure: 2-The Casual Process of Environmental Security in Bangladesh

Source: By Authors

Alternative wisdom: Environmental security is important to achieve sustainable

development, because, without the integration of environmental security issues in the state policy,
and, the preservation and proper utilization of the natural resources, the socio-economic
development is not possible. Environmental security is not a distinctive category of security
concern of a country as it involves human security issues also. As the countries of the world share
the same environment/atmosphere, it's easy to assume that environmental threats and its effects
are trans-boundary. So, there is a clear linkage between environmental security and national

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security. In a nutshell, as the environmental security involves human security and the development
of socio-economic structure, it directly compromises national security when environmental crises
give rise. Finally, environmental threats are not fully the outcome of the change in the composition
of natural forces. But, human-made causes are affecting the environment to a greater extent in the
last few decades. (E.g. Level of CO2 was between 180-300 ppm for 650 thousand years prior to
the industrialization period, but in the last few decades, especially, after 1950 it increased
enormously. Statistics show that it reached 400 ppm in March, 2014.)

5. Methodology and data Collection

Primary data refers to data being collected or obtained from a first-hand experience. It is
emphasized on face to face interviews with teachers of the department, secretary of the Department
of Environment (DoE) and the officers of Bangladesh Environmental lawyer associations (BELA)
and Bangladesh Poribesh Andholon (BAPA). For this paper, we have interviewed two teacher of
my department who are specialist on environmental security studies. We also interviewed
environmental degradation affected people in Sarishabari under Jamalpur District.

Table: 01-Research Profile

Research Function Total Number
Interview with Academics 2
Interview with NGO’s Officers 3
Interview with Environmental Victims 12
Books and articles reading 6
Newspaper reading 24

[Source: By authors]

Secondary data were basically collected from newspapers, journals and academic books on
environmental security in Bangladesh. DoE’s websites and one-line newspapers also help me to
gather more knowledge on this topic. Moreover, South Asian Journals, UNEP, ADB reports
provide a lot of knowledge on it. Finally, we use qualitative method in this article and emphasize
on cases studies.

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6. Why Environment Is a Concern

Environment is not only our surroundings, which comprises of land, water and air and other
bodies, it's also a mechanism maintained through an ecological cycle where we, the humans, live
within like other species, and that is how it shapes the whole biosphere-biodiversity. One change
in the ecological cycle can cause harm to other parts of the ecology. In a word, extinction of one
species will eventually cause extinction of many. So, everyone's survival is interconnected to
others' survival. Any alteration could bring about unavoidable consequences. Environment is an
important concern, because, if we want to undertake development programs to live a better life,

Figure: 3- Environmental Issues Affecting Human Security

[Source: By Authors]

we need to make sure at the first place that it doesn't cause damage to the environment. We like it
or not, sooner or later environment will strike back. There is a saying, what goes around, comes
around. From the environmental changes and its effects we can see the exact reflection of it.
Prominent critical theorist Robert Cox4 in his interview with the online IR journal "Theory Talks"

4
Robert Cox (born 1926) is a former political science professor and United Nations officer. He is currently professor
emeritus of political science and social and political thought at York University.

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suggested that, we have to analyse the environmental issues from the perspective of critical theory,
where it argues that, human being are not a dominant feature of the environment, and it is not mean
to serve the purpose of human being solely. Because, humans are just a part of it like other
thousands of components that make up the whole biosphere.5

7. Environmental security from Bangladeshi Perspective

In recent years, Bangladesh’s environment has undergone a severe degradation. There are
many dimensions of this degradation. A few examples are as follows:

a) Air Pollution: Urban air pollution has reached alarming level. The lead content of
Dhaka city’s air is at some places reported to be more than one hundred times higher than the UN
recommended safe level. Dhaka has become a gas chamber that causing slow poisoning. This toxic
air is causing damage to the body and brain of the people, particularly the children who are the
future generation of the country.

Figure: 4- Most Polluted Capital Cities in Asia

Source: WHO Report- 2008

b) Aggravation of Floods and Dying Rivers: Floods are becoming more frequent and
more devastating. The cordon approach that Bangladesh has followed so far is not proving
effective in dealing with country’s flood problem. Instead, this approach is leading to neglect of

5
Theory Talks #37: Robert Cox. Robert Cox on World Orders, Historical Change, and the Purpose of Theory in
International Relations. Website: http://www.theory-talks.org/2010/03/theory-talk-37.html

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the rivers, and as a consequence the rivers are dying. The cordon approach is also creating new
problems of water-logging, increased flood depth, slow pace of flood water recession, and the
accompanying problems of health, sanitation, and environment.

c) Loss of Wetlands: More and more surface water bodies are being lost, both in the cities
and in the rural areas. Part of it is driven by population pressure and need for settlement areas. The
rest is because of bad policies. Loss of wetlands is causing temperature imbalance and general
ecological deterioration. It is also aggravating flood.

d) Deforestation: Most of the shalbons have now become extinct. Sundarbans are under
threat. The hilly areas of Chittagong and Sylhet districts are also getting denuded of forests.
Bangladesh is now well below the required minimum of 25 percent of land to be under forest.

e) Loss of Bio-diversity: With loss of wetlands and forests, Bangladesh is gradually losing
its flora and fauna. Many aquatic and territorial species are becoming rare; some have already
become extinct. This process is making Bangladesh geographically an uninteresting part of the
world.

8. Linkage between Environmental Security and other Securities

8.1. Environmental Security and National Security of Bangladesh

National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of
economic power, diplomacy, power projection and political power. After Cold war, the definition
of national has changed. Now, environment is also regarded as the important part of the national
security. Bangladesh- India relations are mostly depended on the water disputes, maritime border
disputes, Rampal electric plant etc. which are regarded as the most influential matter from both
environmental and national security.

(a) Water Dispute with India

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Bangladesh-India water-sharing disputes emerged from 1970s with India’s ill-conceived

construction of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges. Unfortunately, the bypassing of international
laws and unilateral diversion of water from trans-boundary Rivers has been the long-standing
policy of India. Without any agreement with Bangladesh, it has embarked on constructing dams
and diverting water from many trans-boundary rivers such as Teesta, Gumti, Khowai, Dharla,
Dudkumar, Monu etc. India also reportedly blocked rivers such as Muhri, Chagalnaiya, Fulchari,
Kachu, and many others in Tripura flowing into Bangladesh.6 India does not maintain the “Indo-
Bangladesh Ganges Water treaty-1996”. They just think their own national self-interest. This
caused a steady reduction in water flow, mainly due to intensive water diversion by India.

Figure: 5- Water Flows in Teesta River

Source: Bangladesh Water Development Board-2006

Meeting increased water demand of the fast-growing population in the coming decades will be a
great challenge for Bangladesh while India continues its on-compromising attitude on water
sharing from the international rivers. Against this backdrop, water scarcity will trigger conflicts
and instability, its consequences may spill over state borders, and regional tensions will become a
threat to international peace and security.7

6
Nazrul, A. 2006. Interlinking of Rivers and Water Sharing Issues. In Bangladesh-India Dialogue, edited by Farooq
Sobhan , Dhaka: The UniversityPress Limited.
7
The Daily Samakal, September 26, 2010;A.B.M.S. Zahur, “Our dying rivers”,TheDailyStar , April 2, 2010..

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(b) Rampal Electric Power Plant

The Rampal power station is a proposed 1320 megawatt coal-fired power station at Rampal
Upazila of Bagerhat District in Khulna, Bangladesh. It is known as Bangladesh India Friendship
Power Company (BIFPC) which was signed in August 2010 between Bangladesh Power
Development Board (BPDB) and India's state-owned National Thermal Power
Corporation (NTPC) . This project violates the Environmental impact assessment guidelines for
coal-based thermal power plants. On August 1, Department of Energy of Bangladesh set 59
preconditions for the project to be settled.8 But the location of the plant, 14 kilometers from the
Sundarbans violates one of the basic precondition which says such projects must be outside a 25-

Figure: 6- Situation of Rampal Power Electric Plant

Source: EIA Report- 2013

kilometer radius from the outer periphery of an ecologically sensitive area. The Rampal station is
against The Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention is the only global environmental treaty
that deals with reservation of wetlands. Bangladesh have signed the convention in 1992.

8
The New Age, More reasons to stop Rampal power plant,Sunday, May 26, 2013.

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Sundarbans and Tanguar Haor are marked as Ramsar area.9 The authority of the global body
expressed worry about the proposed plant.

Table: 2- Proposed Project at a Glance

Source: Feasibility Study Report-2013

The plant will need to import 4.72 million tons of coal per year. This massive freight will need
about 59 ships each having 80,000-ton capacity that would be taken to the port on the bank
of Poshur river.10The 40 kilometers from the port to the plant cuts through the Sundarbans and it
includes the river flow path. Environmentalists say these coal-carrying vehicles are not often
covered as they scatter large amounts of fly ash, coal dust and sulfur, and other toxic chemicals
are released through the entire life of the project.

(c) Border Problem

Bangladesh, one of the world's most populous countries, is highly vulnerable to the effects
of sea-level rise—including more salinization of both ground and surface waters. The deltaic plains

9
The Ramsar Convention is only global environmental treaty that deals with particular ecosystem. The treaty was
adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and the Convention’s member countries cover all geographic regions
of the planet.
10
The Daily Star, Rampal and the future of Bangladesh, September 29, 2013.

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of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers compose most of the country's land area and the
vast majority of the coastal zone is at an elevation of less than 16 feet (5 meters).11Local sea-level
rise of as much as 1 inch (25 millimeters) per year has been recorded in sections of the Ganges-
Brahmaputra Delta. Most deltas experience natural sinking and settling of land (subsidence),
which can increase relative, or local, sea-level rise. Human interventions such as extraction of
groundwater can speed up subsidence, as has been the case in the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin. By
mid-century, more than 3 million people stand to be directly affected by sea-level rise in the
Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta.12

Figure: 7- The Impact of Climate change on Indo-Bangladesh Relations

Source: By Authors

If these situation continue, it may create two types of problems; internal Problem and external
Problem. Local sea-level rise of as much as 1 inch (25 millimeters) per year has been recorded in
sections of the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta. For that, about 1.5 million people migrate every year
from northern part of Bangladesh to different areas of Bangladesh. For that ethnic problems can
be emerge. If the situation becomes more worsen, it will lead migration to India. According to
Mohammad Tanzim Uddin Khan, “If sea level rises and India does not provide the equal water to
Bangladesh, then, it may create two problem; border killings for trying to cross border and national
level conflicts.”13

11
Mohal, N., Z.H. Khan, and N. Rahman.2006. Impact of sea level rise on coastal rivers of Bangladesh. Bangladesh:
Coast, Port and Estuary Division, Institute of Water Modelling. Online atwww.riversymposium.com/ 2006/
index.php? element=06MOHALNasreen. Accessed May 17, 2010
12
Ibid
13
Tanzim Uddin Khan is professor of the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka.

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8.2. Environmental Security and Economic growth

"Every time someone in the West turns on a kettle, he or she is helping to flood
14This
Bangladesh." line helps us to understand the connection between environmental security
and economic growth. Bangladesh has always been subject to multiple natural disasters. Strong
consensus prevails on the fact that Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries by climate
change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highly recognized the
vulnerability of Bangladesh’s economy towards climate change. Sectors related to the economy
such as health, water supply, food security, and coastline development are dependent on climate.
Economic growth is the only solution for Bangladesh to independently act against climatic threats
which increase poverty.

Table: 3- Economic Damage of Bangladesh for Environmental Degradation

Name of Disaster Year Economic Damage US($)

Cyclone 1970 86400
Flood 1974 579200
Flood 1988 2137000
Strom 1992 1200000
Flood 1998 3000000
Cyclone 2007 2000000

Source: Disaster Preparedness Centre-AIT, Bangkok

These date show that, from 1970-2007 Bangladesh faced almost 723 medium and large
environmental disasters.15It creates direct impact on the economy of Bangladesh. Every year
Bangladesh loses averages $ 7389799 for environment related disaster in Bangladesh. If

14
Monbiot. George (2000), The Guardian Weekly, 10 February 2000.
15
The Prothoalo, Bangladesh is Vulnerable to Nature, 30 October, 2010.

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Bangladesh does not adapt strategically important policies on environment, it will faces vast
economic loses for it.

8.3. Environmental Security and Human Security

Climate change may have an effect on health in three major ways; by creating conditions
conducive to outbreaks of infectious diseases; increasing the potential for transmission of vector
borne disease and hindering the future control of disease. Illness and poor health means people are
less able to carry on productive lives, and this undermines social and economic development.
Unfortunately the poorest of society with no or limited access to proper healthcare, water and
sanitation are the most vulnerable to the impacts of

Table: 4-Deaths Due to Cyclone in Bangladesh

Year Deaths
1970 300,000
1991 139,000
2007 3,447
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 20, 2007

climate change. It is estimated that BDT 500 crore annually spent on physician fee, medicine and
travel costs which means illness and ill health are also financial burdens. The cyclones in
Bangladesh in 1970 and 1991 were estimated to have caused 300,000 and 139,000 deaths
respectively. In Global Climate Risk Ranking 2007 it is reported that Bangladesh had highest
number of deaths (4729) due to extreme weather events (mostly by storms, followed by floods and
heat waves) in 2007.16 It also ranked Bangladesh as highest (2.98) for deaths/100,000 inhabitants

8.4. Environmental Security and Sustainable Development

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs. ”-Brundtland (1987)
16
MoEF. (2005). National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xvi + 63 pp.

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Environmental Security and Sustainable development are interrelated. The idea of sustainable
development for the first time incorporated environmental security with development. Sustainable
development combined those issues that concern with human societies and human activities. In
Bangladesh it can ultimately be specified in terms of two kinds of relations. It is human-human
and human-natural environmental relations. Sustainable development implies economic growth
together with the protection of environmental quality and each of them reinforcing the other. The
essence of this form of development is a stable relationship between human activities and the
natural world, which does not diminish the prospects for future generations to enjoy a quality of
life at least as good as our own.

Figure: 8-Elements of sustainable development

— Population Growth
— Poverty Alleviation
— Institutions, Inclusion — Technology
— Biodiversity, Resilience — Valuation
— Natural Resources Management — Internalization
— Pollution Control — Efficiency
— Governance — Empowerment
— Intra-generational Equity, — Culture
— Inter-generational equity — Stability
— Peace, Security

[Source: By Authors]

Various Conferences towards Environmental Security and Sustainable Development

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Earth Summit 199217: Its main focus was on, systematic study on the production of toxic
components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioactive chemicals, use of
alternative sources of energy instead of fossil fuels responsible for global climate change, new
reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities
and the health problems caused by polluted air and smoke, and the growing scarcity of water.

Principle 4 of Rio Declaration states that, “In order to achieve sustainable development,
environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process chain and
cannot be considered in isolation from it.”

World Summit 200218: Its main focus was on, poverty alleviation, renewable energy management,
clean drinking water supply, saving rare plants and animals, restoring depleted fish stock,
supporting people suffering from hunger and ill-payment.

Rio+2019: The conference focused on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of
sustainable development poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable
development. The preparations for Rio+20 have highlighted seven areas which need priority
attention; these include decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable
agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness.

So, it is more than obvious that if we want to achieve sustainable development, countries like
Bangladesh has to ensure environmental security by preserving its natural resources and other
elements of environment to maintain the harmony of its ecosystem.

9. Environmental Policies of Bangladesh

17
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992. Also
known as The Earth Summit.
18
Johannesburg Summit 2002 – the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
19
Rio+20" is the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development which took place in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012 – twenty years after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.

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Environmental Policy, 1992 and Environmental Action Plan, 1992

The concept of environmental protection through national efforts was first recognized
and declared with the adoption of the Environment Policy, 1992 and the Environment
Action Plan, 1992. The major objectives of Environmental policy are to maintain ecological
balance and overall development through protection and improvement of the environment,
protect the country against natural disaster, identify and regulate activities, which pollute and
degrade the environment, ensure environmentally sound development in all sectors and ensure a
sustainable, long term and environmentally sound base of natural resources.

National Environment Management Plan, 1995

The National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP, 1995), based on a

nationwide consultation program identified the main national environmental issues, including
those related to the water sector which included flood damage, riverbank erosion, environmental
degradation of water bodies, increased water pollution, shortage of irrigation water and drainage
congestion.

Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act (ECA), 1995

The Environmental Conservation Act (ECA) of 1995 is the main legislative framework
document relating to environmental protection in Bangladesh. This umbrella Act includes laws for
conservation of the environment, improvement of environmental standards, and control and
mitigation of environmental pollution. This Act established the Department of Environment
(DOE), and empowers its Director General to take measures as he considers necessary.

Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR), 1997

The Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 were issued by the Government of

Bangladesh in exercise of the power conferred under the Environment Conservation Act (Section
20), 1995. Declaration of ecologically critical areas, classification of industries and projects into 4
categories, procedures for issuing the environmental clearance certificate and determination of
environmental standards are the main rules of this conservation.

Environmental Courts Act, 2000

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The Environment Court Act, 2000 has been enacted in order to establish environmental
courts in each administrative division of Bangladesh. Under this Act, in particular the environment
court is empowered to impose penalties for violating court orders, confiscate any article,
equipment and transport used for the commission of the offence, pass any order or decree for
compensation, issue directions to the offender or any person. Under this Act the Director General
of the DOE has the power to impose heavy penalties to industrial polluters who are dumping
untreated wastewater into the environment.20

National Water Policy, 1999

The National Water Policy was promulgated in 1999 with the intention of guiding both
future public and private actions to ensure the optimal development and management of water that
benefits both individuals and the society at large. According to the policy “all agencies and
departments entrusted with water resource management responsibilities (regulation, planning,
construction, operation, and maintenance) will have to enhance environmental amenities and
ensure that environmental resources are protected and restored in executing their
tasks.”21Environmental needs and objectives will be treated equally with the resources
management needs.

Industrial Policy, 2005

Several sections of the policy highlight the importance of environmental issues in

industrial development. It Provides all necessary assistance for producing environment-friendly
product with the objective for creating a pollution-free environment in the industrial sector.
It also explains about environmental pollution control. The Environmental Protection Act 1995
and other relevant legislations are gradually implemented to control environmental pollution.
Those industries that pollute the environment and endanger public health must ensure safety
measures in respect of environmental pollution control. Industrial enterprises will be encouraged
to obtain ISO-14000 certificates.

10. Implementation of Bangladesh Environmental Policies

20
The Environment Court Act, 2000, Act No. 11 of 2000, p-117.
21
National Water Policy, 1999, Article No-12, p-43

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10.1. Role in administrative level:

 Bangladesh is currently the Chair of the ten-member Implementation Committee of

Montreal Protocol.
 Role of Bangladesh as an alternate member of the Governing Council of Global
Environmental Fund (GEF) has been activated.
 Bangladesh is currently the Vice Chair of the LDC Expert Group under the UNFCCC
and has emerged as the leader of the LDCs in the Climate Change negotiation process and
a lead member of Group 77 for negotiations with other groups. It successfully organized a
three day International Workshop at Dhaka in September 2002 on “Capacity Building” for
the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) for the LDCs
 Bangladesh has been elected Vice Chairman of the Conference of Environment Ministers
of Islamic Countries in its first conference held in Jeddah.

10.2. Role in Environmental Sectors

Air Quality Management Project

World Bank funded US$ 5 million for Air quality management project (AQMP) in
February, 1999 that address the rapidly worsening air pollution problems in Dhaka and selected
cities.22For that, Bangladesh government has taken some important initiatives in the cities of
Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayangonj, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chittagong. 23 The project
includes:

Figure: 9- Air Quality management Project

22
Air quality management project (AQMP) (2000). Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of
Environment and Forests
23
Monthly Air Quality Monitoring Report (2013), Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project, Government of
the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Published- September-2013

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Source: Monthly AQMP Report, September-2013

(a) Air pollution control strategies for the transport sector, particularly cleaner fuels and
lubricants for two-stroke engine vehicles
(b) Air pollution monitoring equipment and training, and
(c) Air pollution inventory and source assessment analysis.

This project has an active monitoring cell which observe and report every month about the situation
of air in the selected cities.

Sustainable Environmental Management Program

A US $ 26 million UNDP funded programme on Sustainable Environment

Management (SEMP) for environmental capacity building. This is the largest ever environmental
grant provided by UNDP globally. 24 SEMP is a follow-up action programme for implementation
of the National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP). The programme unites the
government and other development agencies in Bangladesh including NGOs and the private sector

24
National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP)-1995.

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dealing with major environmental issues under an umbrella national programme to address
national environment objectives. Activities under SEMP will be undertaken in five main areas for
implementation in Bangladesh related to policy and institutions, participatory eco-system,
management at grass root-level, community based environment, sanitation, advocacy and
awareness, and training and education.

Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project

ADB/GEF donated US$82.2 million project to protect the Sundarbans.25Comprising 6,000

square kilometers in the south-west of the country, the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) offers
regional storm protection, and is a rich area of biodiversity and natural resources. It forms part of
the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest, and is a globally significant resource which
provides habitat for endangered species, including the Bengal tiger. It also offers subsistence to
approximately 3.5 million people in the 17 thanas (subdistricts) of the impact zone bordering the
SRF. The Project introduced modern management systems which involved stakeholders, and take
a participatory approach to community development in the impact zone, to achieve long-term
sustainable use and conservation of the SRF.

Bangladesh Environment Initiative Fund

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that basically

supports sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty, to protect
environment and contribute to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world. It launch an
environmental Programme for Bangladesh which name,A CAN$ 500,000 CIDA project.26The
project is a responsive small projects fund that finances small scale environmental projects
conceived by Bangladeshi organizations and institutions. Projects can relate to policy
development, increasing awareness, small scale action research activities and dissemination of
information on the environment. Notable examples are the publication of a newsletter by the

25
Bangladesh: Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project (2008), Validation Report of Operation Sundarbans
Biodiversity Conservation, Project Evaluation Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB).
26
The Daily Star, The role of CIDA in Environmental Fund of Bangladesh, 26 September,2010

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Bangladesh Environmental Lawyer's Association and a report on monitoring and mitigation of

arsenic in ground water.

11. The Environmental Policy Gap

There are several reasons why Bangladesh’s environment continues to deteriorate despite the
efforts and projects. Some of these reasons are as follows:

Improper Implementation of projects

Many environmental projects are not implemented properly. The recent findings of the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Estimate provide an example. According to its
investigation of the World Bank financed Environment Development Project (EDP) of Dhaka city,
about 70 crore taka of the total budget of 146 crore taka has been misappropriated.27 It can be well
imagined what remains of a project if half of its money is misappropriated. It is possible that many
other environment projects are also in this kind of sorry state. Hence one reason for continued
deterioration is that even when environmental projects are well conceived, these are not
implemented properly.

Ill-conceived Projects

Often the projects themselves are not very well conceived. An example is provided by the
$8 million (the World Bank financed) Air Quality Management Project (AQMP) for Dhaka city. 28
Apparently the very design of this project failed to address the two main causes of air pollution.
Researchers have established that about seventy percent of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in
Dhaka city’s air is caused by emissions of the twostroke engine vehicles (TSEV). Similarly, it has
been shown conclusively that the source of lead pollution of air is the unleaded gasoline used in
vehicles. Instead of trying to eradicate these two causes, the AQMP project targeted all its money
on such soft measures as monitoring, studying, and raising awareness, etc. It was a foregone

27
The Daily Star, October 23, 1999.
28
Ibid

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conclusion that such a misconceived project will fail to have any positive impact on the air quality,
even if the project is properly implemented.29

Figure: 10- Result of Policy Gap

Source: By Authors

Absence of Right Policies

In many cases, solution to environmental problems does not so much require expensive
projects as it needs right policies with proper implementation. The air pollution problem discussed
above serves as an example. Bangladesh has so far failed to announce a deadline beyond which
the TSEVs will not be allowed to operate. Similar is the situation with switch to unleaded gasoline.
Bangladesh continues to use leaded gasoline. It is therefore no wonder that with each passing day
Dhaka city feels more like the gas chambers that the Nazis built to execute the Jews and other
civilians during the Second World War. There is simply no excuse for this egregious and criminal
failure on the part of Bangladesh’s successive governments. Even Nepal, a country whose per-
capita income is lower than that of Bangladesh, has shown enough backbone and concern for its
citizens to outlaw the TSEVs.

29
This was pointed out in Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN)’s response to this project at the time of its
inception. See Islam (1998b). Recently World Bank officials themselves have expressed frustration at their
effectiveness of the project (See The Daily Star, October, 1999.)

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Lax Execution of Policies

Sometimes even the adopted policies are not executed properly. Again the TSEVs provide
an example. In May 1998 the government owned Sonali Bank approved a huge loan allowing the
Auto-tempo Owners’Association import another 5,000 TSEVs. This approval went against two
standing policies of government itself. First is the policy of not allowing further import of TSEVs.
This examples include lax execution of rules concerning vehicle emission inspection, disposal of
industrial waste, preservation of open space and water bodies, protection of forests and woodlands,
etc.

Absence of Environmental Legislation and Court

Another inadequacy of Bangladesh’s response is absence of necessary environmental

legislation. Executive orders and rules may not be sometimes adequate to deal with situations. It
may be difficult for the government to take legal action against polluters unless there are
appropriate legislation making pollution a punishable crime. There is also lacking in the
enforcement mechanism.

Position of the Environment Ministry within the Government

It seems that the environment ministry is yet to get the kind of priority that it deserves within
the government. Resistance by such powerful ministries as of industries, trade and commerce,
finance, etc. often overrides the views expressed by the environment ministry. It proves difficult
for the environment ministry to take pro-environment measures unless the Prime Minister herself
intervenes in support of those measures.

12. Initiatives from domestic level

12.1. Role of NGO’s

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

BELA was established in 1992 with a group of lawyers with the broad objective of
promoting environmental justice and contributing to the development of sound environmental

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jurisprudence. BELA is a member of Friends of the Earth International, IUCN-the World

Conservation Union, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW), the NGO Platform on
Ship-breaking and the South Asian Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE).In
1994, election candidates for the Dhaka City Corporation were unlawfully campaigning in Old
Dhaka in violation of the 1860s Environmental Law of Bangladesh. Rizwana Hasan brought suit
in court and the Court judged it an unlawful act. Thereafter, Bangladesh Election
Commission (EC) took initiatives to stop election campaigning that is harmful to the environment.
Under the supervision of Rizwana Hasan, BELA started its war against the shipbreaking industry
in Bangladesh. On behalf of BELA, Rizwana brought the first suit against the shipbreaking
industry, accusing it of creating an unsafe work environment and producing environmentally
unsafe waste. Bela then brought another three suits demanding rights for the workers and the
banning in Bangladesh of ships carrying poisonous substances. And in 2003 the court ruled that
no ship will be allowed for shipbreaking without 'Environmental Clearance'. BELA also took other
initiatives where the environment is under threat, including housing covering wetlands,
unnecessary usage of polythene, cutting of hills, deforestion, shrimp cultivation, and unlawful
construction in St. Martin's Island. In recent days, BELA opened a regular section in their
headquarters where they receive legal complaints regarding the environment. BELA also sought
judicial compensation from Naiko after the Tengratila Exploitation" in 2006.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA)

Bangladesh PoribeshAndolon (BAPA) is a common forum of citizens and organizations

concerned with the environment of Bangladesh. A community-based group, called POROSH, was
set up as such a forum concentrating on Dhaka only in 1997. This has virtually been transformed
into BAPA in 2000 to create a nation-wide, united, and strong civic movement to protect
Bangladesh’s environment. The success of this organization are:

 make the government implement removal of two-stroke engine vehicles (TSEV) that were
one of the major causes of urban air pollution in Bangladesh;
 make the government to put an end to the use of leaded gasoline in Bangladesh;
 make the government re-impose the ban on the use of polythene bags;
 encourage and spread the environment movement to various districts of Bangladesh;

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 organize the International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN) 2002 and

updating Dhaka Declaration on Bangladesh Environment to 2002;
 Initiate a river saving movement in Dhaka, leading to the removal of many structures
encroaching rivers in and around Dhaka.
 Organize the International Conference on Regional Cooperation on Transboundary Rivers
(ICRCTR) 2004 to draw attention to the likely impact of the proposed Indian River Linking
Project (IRLP).

12.2. Role of Civil Society on Environmental Sustainability

Civil society always plays a vital role in environmental sustainability in different ways. As
spokesman of mass people they try to create a friendly environment. They play active role
especially in policy making. Sometimes they pressurize government to take policies which will be
eco-friendly and helpful to people. Some important role of civil society in conserving environment
is stated below-

Creating awareness: Awareness building among mass people on conserving environment is an

outstanding job of civil society. We see in the case of establishing Rampal electricity power plant,
They try to inform people the way of preserving environment in various ways through media.
Joining environmental movement: Any initiatives taken by government or any other organization
which will create problem to environment or sustainable development, they raise their voices
against them. We know the joint movement of Jatiyo Tel-Gas Committee to protect the
environment regarding the coal exploration in Fulbari which is harmful for environment.

Protect natural resources: In terms of using natural resources like oil, water, coal misused by
govt. or any other body, they also take part to protect it. Because these resources are limited and it
shouldn’t be finished within this period. It must need to preserve for future generation. It is very
much needed for sustainable development.

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Organizing program to draw government concern: When any issue need to get priority by them,
they arrange various types of program like seminar, symposium, press release to draw the
government attention. It is happened most of the time by civil society organization.

Environment friendly industrial policy: Each and every country sets industries for production. If
it hampers environment then cost of production will be higher. Whole country gets affected by
them. Civil society suggests government for taking environment friendly policies.

13. Recommendations

Considering various aspects of Environmental security in Bangladesh we come up with

some recommendations that might help Bangladesh to overcome environmental security issue both
in national and international level.

National Monitoring Committee for Environmental Security

A national monitoring committee can be established under the supervision of Prime

Minister’s Office. The committee will be consists of three policy making bodies. In the next phases
it will gradually implement its policies and enforce it. Every district will have a District Monitoring
Unit and under this unit its field agents and representatives of the local government will keep an
eye and notify the unit routinely.

There will be task forces all over the country which will take necessary actions in the field if they
find anything that compromises environmental security. If there are two parties, where one is
responsible for causing environmental problems and the other is the victim of the problem, the
task force will send them to the office of Arbitrator if it’s a minor case and if it’s negotiable. The
office will force responsible party to make necessary compensation to the victims and they will
also have to develop a mechanism to prevent environmental problems from happening. If it cannot
be solved this way and if it’s a national crisis, the task force or even any concerned citizen can
voluntarily file a lawsuit in the special tribunal which will deal with the environmental security
issues. The National Monitoring committee will send annual report to the PM office about their
policy actions and outcome.

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Figure: 11-National Monitoring Committee for Environmental Security Model

Source: By authors

Live green programme

Government can undertake a programme which will ultimately be beneficial to the environment
and for the government itself. The programme will be undertaken in the rural area. Government
will grant monthly or yearly allowance for the families in the village who will plant at least 10

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trees in their lands. Those families will be registered and those trees will be considered as national
asset. A law will be formulated to keep those trees safe. If anyone try to destroy those trees a
lawsuit will be charged against him. Union Parishad members will monitor the programme in the
field level and they will notify the concerned authority regularly. As government is giving away
huge amount of money as an allowance, it needs something in return. Government will collect
fruits and woods from those trees and sell them in the local or international market. And,
Government will keep 50 percent of the profit money and other 50 percent will be given to those
families. Planting of the trees will be maintained in a cyclic manner so the number of trees will be
the same. That is how government can protect the environment and can benefit the country.

Social Service Programme

Another idea came up in our mind during the research work. A social service programme can be
undertaken and facilitated by the government. In that case, government employees will dedicate
at least a day in every month to improve the society and the environment. They will be granted
allowance and increment based on their activities. Local citizens and private companies can offer
voluntary services to the programme and they will be rewarded based on their contribution. The
programme will include, creating public awareness, cleaning streets, supplying clean water,
minimizing unnecessary energy consumption, helping the poor, involvement in the agriculture,
and building up an eco-friendly society.

Inclusion of Environmental Security study in education

Government has to include environmental security study in every level of its educational system
and rich texts should be provided to the students so that they can develop the idea in their mind
gradually as they grow up. And, educational institution will arrange environmental activities
annually to inspire their students.

Awareness through media

Mass media can play a role to make people aware about the environmental security issues and its
consequences. Informative and inspirational TV programmes or advertisement can be telecast or
published in that case.

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Renewable emergency management

Government has to develop a programme within which renewable energy mechanism will be
established. Government can take help from the local and foreign scientists and experts to
implement it. They will be appointed to find out alternative energy sources for the future. They
will inspect elements which are responsible for causing environmental degradation. They will
enrich the available energy resources and will find a way to use them more environment-friendly
way.

NGO's involvement in policy-making

Local NGOs which are dealing with the environmental security issues have to allow access to the
government's policy-making body. Their study and research works should be taken into account
while making a decision. These NGOs work in the field level and their information will be a great
help to the policymakers.

Involvement of Civil Society

A country's civil society represents the aspiration of its citizens. Civil society is the voice of the
people. So, bridging between civil societies members including academics and the policymakers
is vital to fight with issues like environmental security.

Coordination among the ministries

The tasks of the ministries are interconnected and interdependent. A ministry cannot carry out a
project without the support of the other ministries. So, as the environmental crisis is a national and
international concern as the same time various ministries have to cooperate with each other to
overcome the problems. We think, coordination among PM office, MoFA and MoEF is necessary.
Exchange of officials and information will improve the outcome of their tasks and projects.
Government should make a room for environmental programmes in the yearly budget.

Waste Management: Recycling and dumping

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Waste of garments industries and other factories should be taken care of. Government with the
cooperation of those companies have to build up a waste management mechanism through which
recyclable wastes will be separated and will be made usable for other purposes. Unrecoverable
wastes will be dumped somewhere in the deep water through interconnected channels like a web.

Pollution management

Appointed officials including experts and scientists will regularly check the amount of pollution
in the environment. When the tolerance and risk level of the pollution will exceed they will take
necessary measure to minimize it and its outcome. And they will develop or import new
technologies to make environmental changes stable.

Strict Law and task force

Government has to amend its laws if it’s necessary to integrate environmental policies within the
boundary of law. If the available laws are not effective enough, new laws should be formulated
and enforced. If it become tough for the available law enforcement agencies to deal with it as they
have more other security concerns a special task force can be appointed all over the country to deal
with environmental issues.

Afforestation/Reforestation and protection of wildlife

For a stable environment and ecosystem Bangladesh needs to have forests covering at least 25%
of its lands. Bangladesh has only 11.06% 30 of forest which last estimated in 2011. So, it's inevitable
that Bangladesh will face consequences of climate change. Government should boost up its current
afforestation and reforestation programmes immediately. Bangladesh has to enforce its laws
strictly to protect its wildlife which are facing the threat of extinction to maintain the balance of
its ecosystem.

Strengthen Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

30
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/bangladesh/forest-area-percent-of-land-area-wb-data.html. Accessed: 17:08,
May 31, 2014.

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Government has to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the national Bureau of Statistics. A
huge and reliable database should be build up and they will also take other NGOs' field research
and collected data into consideration. It will be become the center of knowledge and information.

Facilitating research works

Government should undertake research programmes under direct supervision and also they can
facilitate and sponsor research projects undertaken by researchers and universities on
environmental security.

Strong Environmental diplomacy

Environmental diplomacy is also characterized by complex linkages between foreign and domestic
policy and politics. That is why, it seems to have emerged as an integral component of international
relations. The connection between foreign and domestic policy inherent in environmental
diplomacy bring new actors to the fore. And LDC countries like Bangladesh has to play important
role in the world community to attain their rights and safeguard its environment as successful
environmental diplomacy requires a cooperative, multilateral approach. Bangladesh can undertake
environmental diplomacy in four grounds:

 Global Negotiations: The role of Bangladesh within the G77 and LDCs need to be
strengthened to increase our bargaining strength.
 International Waters: Almost all the major rivers that flow into Bangladesh from India
have major parts of their catchments located within China, India, Nepal and Bhutan and
are classified as “trans-boundary”. Thus in water sharing issues including Farakka, Teesta
and most recently the Indian river linking project, Bangladesh can lobby for international
support by linking these to their adverse impact on the environment
 Trans-boundary Cooperation: Through Trans-boundary cooperation and negotiation
Bangladesh has to conserve the transboundary Hill and forest and marine resources.

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 Regional Environmental Hazards: To mitigate the natural catastrophes like, floods and
cyclones with the help of neighboring countries and it also has to help other neighboring
countries if they face any environmental challenges.

Cooperation with the International Environmental Organizations

Bangladesh has to start cooperating with the International Environmental Organizations. In that
case, Bangladesh can become a voice of the LDC countries that are facing environmental crisis.
Bangladesh can take their experts' advice to properly implement its environmental measures at
home.

14. Assessment of the paper

Our research paper dedicatedly focused on the environmental security which is considered as a
non-traditional security approach. We discussed the environmental security issues from
Bangladesh perspective and Bangladesh's stance on this security issue both in domestic and
international level. Bangladesh has undertaken many measures at home and has raised her voice
before the international community so many times. But, Bangladesh still remained under the threat
of environmental consequences as there are policy gaps that unsurprisingly include improper
implementation of the environmental develop programmes. Bangladesh has experienced success
in some cases, but also faced failure to minimize environmental threats as well, more specifically,
while dealing with the man-made environmental degradation. In the circumstances, our paper
offered some recommendations at the end which will help to secure Bangladesh's environmental
security if implemented.

While doing this research work we have gone through various articles and journals and every
possible options including interview and writings of the academics. We wanted to carry out our
work to the point with relevant information that reflects the insight of the title. There is a lake of
environmental study in Bangladesh. There are lots of texts on Bangladesh's environment but what
we have come to realize that, those were solely carried out by individual efforts or by some
voluntary efforts from an NGO or an institute. There are no vast research works and huge database
available on this security issue. There are texts, advices, recommendations, policies, opinions, but

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all of these are scattered and undoubtedly lack coordination. In that case, we suggested the
government to come up with a whole package bridging every possible gap between policy
formulation and its implementation.

Our intention during working on this paper was to address those problems Bangladesh is facing
about environmental security, nevertheless it has both domestic instruments and other laws based
on international instruments. We believe our paper will contribute to the society if the study can
be carried on with full support from the government and the university in the future. It will target
the students as well as the academics and will work on bridging the gap between academics and
environmental activist― and the policymakers.

15. Conclusion

Article 18A of the constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh states that, “The State shall
endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to preserve and safeguard the natural
resources, bio-diversity, wetlands, forests and wild life for the present and future citizens.” It
clearly shows that our constitution firmly holds the idea of environmental security and it binds us
to protect the environment from being exploited in an ill-manner. Bangladesh has developed many
environmental policies and Act so far and established Environmental Court in 2000 but it is almost
inactive now. Bangladesh has signed and ratified many Multilateral Environmental Agreements
(MEAs) so far and it is representing LDC countries in G77. It reflects Bangladesh’s successes in
protecting environment, for example Afforestation programmes, country-wide tree plantation
programmes, pre and post disaster management. But it has many failures which are making its
ecology more vulnerable. Its environment is at stake, not only because of national calamities but
also for man-made causes. It is high time to realize the severity of environmental consequences.
Environmental security might be a non-traditional security approach but it can compromise both
national and human security including economic growth and over all development. In today’s
world we cannot separate the environmental threats from other threats as these security concerns
are interrelated. For example, if we failed to carry out post-disaster measurements properly it may
lead to severe human rights violation. That is why, Nobel Prize laureate environmental activist
Wangari Maathai rightly said, “In a few decades, the relationship between the environment,

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resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human
rights, democracy and peace.”

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Bibliography

Bangladesh: Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project (2008), Validation Report of

Operation Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation, Project Evaluation Department, Asian
Development Bank (ADB).

BARC (1997) Land Degradation Situation in Bangladesh. Soil Division, Bangladesh Agricultural
Research Council. Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BBS (1994), Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of
Planning, Dhaka, Bangladesh

IUCN (1991), National Conservation Strategy of Bangladesh (Draft), International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; Ministry of Environment and Forest, GoB, Dhaka,
Bangladesh.

Mohal, N., Z.H. Khan, and N. Rahman. (2006). Impact of sea level rise on coastal rivers of
Bangladesh. Bangladesh: Coast, Port and Estuary Division, Institute of Water Modelling.

MoEF. (2005). National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). Ministry of Environment and
Forests, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Nazrul, A. (2006). Interlinking of Rivers and Water Sharing Issues. In Bangladesh-India Dialogue,
edited by Farooq Sobhan, Dhaka: The University Press Limited.

Rahman, M.R. (1991) Towards Sustainable Development Land Resources in Bangladesh,

Ministry of Environment& Forest and National Conservation Strategy Secretariat, Bangladesh
Agricultural Resource Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Annex [I]

In-depth interview

For depth knowledge about environmental security, we took interview from Mohammad Tanzim
Uddin Khan, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations. Mohammad Tanzim
Uddin Khan (Personal Interview, 23 May, 2014) has specific suggestions about the
environmental security. This interview was conducted on discussing environmental security and
its some implications. It also conducted in open ended question.

Mohammad Tanzim Uddin Khan expressed his opinion on environmental security. He said, “To
secure environment we must change our ethical background, without ethics it can’t be secured”.
In the mid discussion he cited that we must change in policy making. Only policy maker can
change in maintaining environmental issues. Mohammad Tanzim Uddin Khan also expressed his
concern on utilization of environment fund which funded by developed countries. Saying about
developed countries he mentioned that developed and developing countries both are liable for
degradation of environment. Such as developing countries always depend on environmental fund
of developed countries. Environmental issue became market oriented. In mentioning example
Mohammad Tanzim Uddin Khan mentioned about some NGOs and IGOs. NGOs and IGOs always
depend on fund. NGOs get advertisement from market as a tool of capital. They create knowledge
about environment on behalf of their interest who give them fund for saying example he mentioned
most of environmental organizations funded by developed countries who are culprit of
environment. Developed countries use them as their tool. Developed countries also use developing
countries. We asked him how to change this phenomenon? In replying, he said that it can be
changed only by changing policy making and ethical ground. He also stated that bilateral issues
between India and Bangladesh about water issue. In discussing environmental security, he
mentioned that water dispute between India and Bangladesh will enflame to environmental
security threat. To exemplify on security threat on environment, he mentioned Teesta Water,
Farakka Barrage, Rampal Power Plant will be threat for environmental security of Bangladesh. It
will occur huge migration. It may also threat to India along with whole South Asia. It may be quite
impossible to India to tackle human migration from Bangladesh even their wired barrier.

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Annex [II]

International Convention, Treaty and Protocol (ICTPs) and Place and Year of Signing

No Convention, Treaty and Protocol and Place Signed Ratified or Being Ratified
and Year of Signing Accessed
1. International Plant Protection Convention (Rome, 01.09.78
1951)
2. International Convention for the Prevention 28.12.81
ofPollution of the Sea by Oil (London, 1954 (as
(entry into
amended on I I April 1962 and 21 October 1969.)
force)
3. Plant Protection Agreement for the South East 04.12.74
Asia and Pacific Region (as amended) (Rome, (AC)
1956.)
(entry into
force)
4. Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the 13.03.85
Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water
(Moscow, 1963.)
5. Treaty on Principles governing the Activities of 14.01.86
States in the Exploration and use of outer Space (AC)
Including the Moon and Other Celestial
Bodies(London, Moscow, Washington, 1967.)
6. International Convention Relating to Intervention 04.02.82
on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution
(entry into
Casualties (Brussels, 1969.)
force)

7. Convention on Wetlands of International 20.04.92

Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
(ratified)
(Ramsar, 197 1) ("Ramsar Convention").

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8. Convention on the Prohibition of the 13.03.85

Development, (Biological) and Toxic Weapons,
and on Their Destruction (London, Moscow,
Washington, 1972.)
9. Convention Concerning the Protection of the 03.08.83
World Cultural and natural Heritage (Paris,
(Accepted)
1972.)

03.11.83

(ratified)
10. Convention on International Trade in Endangered 20.11.81 18.02.82
Species of Wild Fauna and flora (Washington,
1973.) ("CITIES Convention")
11 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 10.12.82
(Montego bay, 1982)
12, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the 02.08.90
Ozone Layer (Vienna, 1985.) (AC)

3 1. 1.0.90

(entry into
force)
13. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the 02.08.90
Ozone Layer (Montreal 1987.)
31.10.90
(AC)

(entry into
force)

14. London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on 18.03.94

Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (AC)
(London, 1990. Copenhagen Amendment.)

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16.06.94

(entry into
force)
15. Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear 07.01.88

Accident (Vienna, 1986.) (ratified)

07.02.88

(entry into
force)
16. Convention on Assistance in the Case of a 07.01.88
Nuclear Accident of Radiological Emergency
(ratified)
(Vienna, 1986.)

07.02.88

(entry into
force)
17. Agreement on the Network of Aquaculture 15.05.90
Centres in Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok, 1988.)
(ratified)
18. Basel Convention on the Control of 01.04.93
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes (AC)
and Their Disposal (Basel, 1989.)
19. International Convention on Oil Pollution 30.11.90

Preparedness, Response and Cooperation

(London, 1990.)

20. United Nations Framework Convention on 09.06.92 16.02.94

Climate Change (New York, 1992)

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21 Convention on Biological Diversity, (Rio De 05.06.92 20.03.94

Janeiro, 1992)
22. International Convention to Combat 21.06.94 Ratified by
Desertification, (Paris 1994.) cabinet during
October 1995.

Instrument has
been sent by the
Foreign Ministry
very recently.
23. Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any - 03.10.79
Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification (AC)
Techniques, (Geneva, 1976.)
(entry into
force)
24. Agreement Relating to the Implementation of 28.07.96
Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 ish Stocks
(New York, 1994.)
25. Agreement for the Implementation of the 04.12.95
Provisions of the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982
Relating to the Relating to the Conservtion and
Mangament of Stradling Fish Stocks and Highly
Migrationry Fish Stocks (New York, 1995.)
26. Convention on the Prohibition of the 14.01.93
Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of
Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction
(Paris, 1993.)
27. United Nations Convention to Combat 14.10.94 26.01.96
Desertification in those Countries Experiencing

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Serious Drought and/or Desertification,

Particularly in Africa (Paris, 1994.)
28. Convention on Nuclear Safety (Vienna, 1994.) 21.09.95 21.09.95

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Annex [III]
Picture on the Impact of the Environmental Degradation
Figure: Teesta’s Situation in Dry Season

Source: The Daily Sun, 24 April, 2014

Figure: River Erosion in Bangladesh

Source: The Daily Star, 17 May 2014

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Figure: Tornado Attack on Brahmanbaria in June 23, 2013

Source: bdnews.com, 24 June, 2013

Figure: Impact on Environment for Ship Breaking Industries in Chittagong

Source: www.thehindubusiness.com

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