Bangladesh Economic Review 2020

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT

Environment development is a pre-condition of green economy which is a crucial challenge for the
bio-diversity rich Bangladesh, like other developing countries. Efforts are on to integrate issues
pertaining to environment with mainstream development policies to ensure economic growth and
environmental sustainability. A number of policies and development plans have been adopted and
are being implemented to encounter environmental hazards and to ensure a pollution-free eco-
friendly environment. The government is implementing ‘Vision 2021’ incorporating the
environmental development as one of the most important goals. Furthermore, a detailed work plan
has been formulated with a view to achieving environmental targets of Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG’s).‘Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, 2009 (BCCSAP 2009)’ is
being implemented to address the impact of climate change where both adaptation and mitigation
activities have been considered. For this reason, ‘Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF)’
has been formed with national resources. Moreover, the government has enacted ‘Climate Change
Trust Fund Act, 2010’ and ‘Climate Change Trust Fund Guidelines’ for better management of
BCCTF. Apart from, ‘Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF)’ has also been formed
with the assistance of Development Partners. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change has also undertaken different consciousness programmes and restructuring activities for
environment conservation along with Ozone Layer Protection and Pollution Control. Besides,
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is also implementing various programmes in order to
tackle eventualities emanating from natural disasters.

Bangladesh, because of its diverse important role by undertaking necessary steps

geographical location, is one of the richest
countries in world in terms of bio-diversity.
However, environmental degradation is a
crucial challenge for Bangladesh like over
developing countries. As the various sectors
of the country are largely dependent on
natural resources, their contribution to GDP is
significantly influenced by sustainable
environmental development. The present
Government is utterly trying to overcoming
these environmental problems for achieving a
healthy, beautiful, durable and eco-friendly
Bangladesh for the benefit of present and
future generations. Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change is playing an
for environmental pollution control and
biodiversity conservation, preparing and
implementing timely legislation, institutional
strengthening and implementing other
relevant activities.
International Initiatives on Environment
Protection
The concept of environmental protection as
well as its development received wider global
attention from the early seventeen’s. The
decision agreed upon at the UN conference on
the human environment held in Stockholm in
1972 worked as an eye-opener for
international communities. The ‘United

Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development ‫׀‬275‫׀‬

Bangladesh Economic Review 2020

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’ 2015 and a climate change agreement called
was formed by this conference. In 1992, an ‘Paris Agreement’ was accepted by 195
Earth Summit was held at Rio De Jeneiro in countries. The COP 22 was held at Marrakesh
Brazil, which is considered as a landmark in in Morocco. The first meeting of the apex
the environment conservation. Later on body of implementing Paris Agreement
'Kyoto Protocol' was signed in 1997 for the ‘Conference of the Parties serving as the
purpose of lessening carbon dioxide and meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement
greenhouse gas emission. (CMA)’ was held during this conference. It
was decided to formulate the ‘Paris
Table 15.1 shows the list of highest emitting
Agreement Work Programme’ by 2018. COP
10 countries with the level of their Green
23 was took place at Bonn, Germany in 2017.
House Gas (GHG) emissions.
The latest world conference of climate change
Table: 15.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions of i.e. COP 24 held at Katowice, Poland. The
Top 10 Countries ‘Paris Agreement Work Programme’ has
Sl. Country Annual % of been accepted in this conference. All the
No CO2Emissions Global participant countries agreed to reduce carbon
in 2016 Total emission in the conference. In addition, it has
(In millions of in
metric 2016 been decided to publish the progress report of
tonnes) carbon emission biennially from 2024. In
1 China 11,886.8 25.76 addition, Bangladesh delegation participated
2 USA 59073 12.8 in the COP 25 conference under the UNFCCC
3 Europe 3598.1 7.8 in 2019 and played a vital role about climate
4 India 3109.3 6.74 change.
5 Russia 2427.2 5.26
6 Japan 1259.4 2.73 Threats for Bangladesh due to Climate
7 Brazil 1050.3 2.28 Change
8 Indonesia 866 1.88
The rise in sea-level poses a big threat to the
9 Iran 800.8 1.74
lives and livelihood of the huge population of
10 South Korea 697 1.51
Source: CAIT Climate Data Explorer, 2019 the coastal areas of Bangladesh. About 60
percent of land of the country is only 5 meters
International Efforts for Addressing
above from sea level. ‘Hadley Center for
Climate Change
Climate Prediction and Research (HCCPR)’
The United Nations Climate Change estimates that sea level in Bangladesh will
Conferences are yearly conferences of the rise about 40 cm by 2080.
UNFCCC Parties (Conference of the Parties,
Providing Regional Climates for Impact
COP) to assess progress in dealing with
Studies (PRECIS) has been projected that
climate change update issue. Implementation
annual average rainfall of Bangladesh will
status of UNFCC is mainly discussed in this
increase about 4 percent, 2.3 percent and 6.7
conference. The COP 21 was held at Paris in
percent in 2030, 2050 and 2070 respectively.

Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development ‫׀‬276‫׀‬

Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
Moreover, according to the projection of
General Circulation Model (GCM) the annual
average temperature of Bangladesh will
increase by 2.4 degree celsius and annual
average rainfall will be increased by 9.7
percent within 2100. A study of the World
Bank noted that up to two-thirds of
Bangladesh is inundated by floods in every
three to five years. As a result, infrastructure,
housing, agriculture and livelihoods damaged
extremely. In addition, low-lying coastal
areas are also at risk from cyclones and storm
surges. ‘Inter-governmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)’ predicts that by 2050,
Bangladesh will lose 17 percent of its land
and 30 percent of its food production by 2050
because of negative impact of climate change.
The report ‘Economics of Adaptation to
Climate Change in Bangladesh, 2010’ of the
World Bank estimates that Bangladesh will
be required US$ 5,516 million for investment
and US$ 112 million for recurrent cost 2050
to protect against storm surge risk.
Bangladesh is going to develop ‘National
Adaptation Plan (NAP)’ under UNFCCC in
order to fix integrated adaptation strategies
and activities to meet long-term impact on
climate change. Meanwhile, a ‘NAP Road
Map’ has been prepared. In addition,
Bangladesh has prepared ‘Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC)’ plan to
manage growing emissions without
compromising the required development.
According to this plan, it is estimated to
reduce 15 percent carbon emission with
international cooperation and decline 5
percent carbon release with own ability by
2030. The government is going to develop
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
‘NDC Implementation Road Map’ and ‘NDC
Mitigation Action Plan’ for proper
implementation of NDC.
Moreover, ‘Nationally Appropriate
Mitigation Action (NAMA)’ has been
prepared. A ‘Climate Change Unit’ has also
been formed at Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change. Apart from this,
various programmes and projects are being
executed by the government in order to adapt
climate change impact.
A long-term integrated mega plan
‘Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100’ has been
formulated to combat climate change impact.
The vision of the plan is to achieve upper
middle income status through eliminating
extreme poverty by 2030 and to reach a
prosperous country beyond 2041.
Furthermore, 6 specific goals have been fixed
to this plan. The goals are: (a) ensure safety
from floods and climate change related
disasters; (b) enhance water security and
efficiency of water usages; (c) ensure
sustainable and integrated river systems and
estuaries management; (d) conserve and
preserve wetlands and ecosystems and
promote their appropriate use; (e) develop
effective institutions and equitable
governance for in-country and trans-boundary
water resources management and (f) achieve
optimal and integrated use of land and water
resources. With a view to attaining these
goals ‘Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100’ has taken
‘Flood Risk Management Strategies’ and
‘Fresh Water Strategies’ at national level.
‫׀‬277‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020

Internal Climate Finance thematic areas are identified. In order to

implement these activities the government
Bangladesh is pioneer among the developing
has formed Bangladesh Climate Change Trust
countries regarding to enforcement of climate
Fund (BCCTF) by its own resources. BCCTF
finance for adaptation and mitigation of
is a special kind of fund and Bangladesh is
climate change caused natural calamity and
the pioneer to establish such type of fund
disaster. Finance Division published climate
among the Least Developed Countries
budget report ‘Climate Protection and
(LDCs). Bangladesh Climate Change Trust
Development’ covering 6 climate relevant
Fund (BCCTF) was created in 2010 from the
ministries in FY2017-18. This was the first
Government’s own revenue sources to
climate budget report. Inspired by the success
combat climate change impacts as well as to
of its first climate budget report, Finance
implement Bangladesh Climate Change
Division brought out the second report
Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009. All
‘Climate Financing for Sustainable
projects taken up under BCCTF are based on
Development’ reflecting climate expenditure
the thematic areas mentioned in BCCSAP
of 20 line-ministries in fiscal year 2018-19. In
2009. From the FY2009-10 up to FY2019-
its third climate budget report for fiscal year
20, a total of Tk. 3,800 crore has been
2019-20 ‘Climate Financing for Sustainable
allocated from the revenue budget of the
Development’, the coverage was extended to
Government of Bangladesh for the Climate
25 climate relevant ministries. The budget
Change Trust Fund (CCTF). According to
allocation of these 25 ministries accounts for
Climate Change Trust Act, 2010, 66 percent
58.11 percent of the total national budget of
money of the total allocation should be used
FY2019-20, and out of their total allocation,
for the project implementation while 34%
7.81 percent is climate relevant. The climate
should be kept as fixed deposit. Up to
relevant allocation for development budget
December, 2019 already 720 projects (GOV-
increased from 6.6 percent in FY2015-16 to
659 and Non GOV-61) and the government
8.7 percent in FY2019-20. In absolute terms,
has allocated a total of Tk. 3,264.44 crore to
over these five years the total climate relevant
this fund. Out of those projects, 375 (GOV-
allocation increased from Tk. 12,163 crore to
318 and Non GOV-57) projects have already
Tk. 23,749 crore, which was 0.8 percent of
been successfully accomplished.
the estimate GDP of FY2019-20.
The government has formed ‘Bangladesh International Climate Finance
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan’- Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the largest
2009 in order to cope with climate change source of climate finance globally which
related situation. Bangladesh is the first is governed by a 24-member board,
country among the developing countries that comprised equally of developed and
forms such type of integrated work-plan to developing countries, representing the United
meet with the challenge regarding to climate Nations Regional Groups. Bangladesh’s
change. In this plan, 44 activities within 6 country representative to GCF known as the

Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development ‫׀‬278‫׀‬

Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
National Designated Authority (NDA) is the
Economic Relations Division (ERD). Since
ERD became the NDA of Bangladesh in
November 2014, it has identified 6 potential
National Implementing Entities (NIEs) –
Infrastructure Development Company
Limited (IDCOL), PKSF, Department of
Environment, Bangladesh Bank, Local
Government and Engineering Department
(LGED) and Bangladesh Climate Change
Trust (BCCT), of which IDCOL and PKSF
have got accredited by the GCF board.
Bangladesh has received GCF Readiness
support for strengthening NDA’s Secretariat,
preparing GCF country programme and
accreditation GAP assessment for LGED- the
prospective entity selected by ERD to get NIE
accreditation support. Now the NDA
secretariat is actively working on creating a
GCF country programme and a strong project
pipeline, which would enhance Bangladesh’s
readiness for accessing and utilising GCF
climate funds. Up to December 2019, four
climate change projects of Bangladesh
received grant amounting US$ 94.7 million
from GCF.
Activities for Removing Air Pollution
Air pollution is one of the major threats to the
environment in Bangladesh. Air pollution is
increasing with rapid urbanisation and
industrialisation. Emissions from brick kiln,
construction activities, industrial operation
and vehicle are considered the key sources of
air pollution. For controlling air pollution, the
government has been implementing the
following activities:
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
Monitoring Air Quality
There are 16 ongoing surveillance inspection
stations (CAMS) in the country for measuring
regular air pollution levels in Dhaka,
Chattogram, Rajshahi and Khulna, Gazipur,
Narayanganj, Sylhet and Barisal. The
quantity of air pollution elements such as
ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
carbon mono-oxide and so on regularly
measures through these CAMS.
Vehicular Emission Control
Department of Environment (DoE) is
monitoring vehicles emmission in big cities
of the country including to Dhaka and
Chattogram in a regular basis to control that
type of air pollution. DoE also takes legal
action against the vehicles that pollute air
severely.
Brick Kiln Emission Control
DoE works for establishing energy saving,
effective in air pollution and modern
technology based environment-freindly brick
kiln instead of traditional brick kiln to reduce
brick kiln emision. ‘The Brick Manufacturing
and Kilns Establishment (Control) Act, 2013’
has been enacted to manage brick
construction industry in accordance with the
environment which has been effected from
July 2014. The act realistically amended in
2019.
DoE frequently executes enforcement
activities all over the country against illegal
brick kilns with the help of district
administration and police administration.
From 2015 to February 2020 around 18 crore
recovery fine has collected.
‫׀‬279‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
Industrial Pollution Control
Environmental Clearance Activities:
In order to control industrial pollution, it is
mendatory to take environmental clearance
certificate from DoE for the particular
industry/ project. DoE has issued and renewed
the certificate while some prerequisite
activities for example Effluent Treatment
Plant (ETP)’, sound barrier, ‘Air Treatment
Plant (ATP)’, Dust collector and internal
monitoring system are fulllilled.
Establishment of Effluent Treatment Plant
(ETP): DoE has been monitoring
continuously to set up ETP with a view to
preventing water pollution. As a result, most
of the liquid waste discharging industries has
already been installed ETP. Up to February
2020, altogether 1920 industries/projects have
installed ETP.
Zero Discharge Plan: Now, liquid waste
discharge industries are implementing Zero
Discharge Plan. As a result, produced liquid
waste industries can not discharge in water
way unless it is reused. From 2014 to
February 2020, DoE approved 533 Zero
Discharge Plans.
Enforcement Activities: DoE takes legal
action including filed case with environment
court, operate mobile courts and penalty for
environment pollution under the
‘Environmental Conservation Act, 1995’
(Revised in 2010). Up to February 2020, DoE
recovered Tk. 176.08 crore as fine by
conducting enforcement activities aganist
6002 institutes/ persons.
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
Operation against Banned Polythene
Shopping Bags: For controlling use of
banned polythene shopping bags, field offices
and enforcement section of DoE regularly
operate mobile courts with district
administrations’ support. Moreover, eight
task forces have been formed in coordination
with RAB, police, city corporations and other
concerned organisations to run anty-
polythene operation all over the country.
They are working all over the country. Up to
February 2020, DoE has seized 685.60 tons of
shopping bags and fined Tk. 1.40 crore.
Waste Management Activity:
Department of Environment constructed Four
Compost Plants in Narayanganj City
Corporation (22 tonnes/per day capacity) and
Rangpur City Corporation (16 tons/day) and
Mymensingh City Corporation (8 tonnes/day)
and Cox’s Bazar Municipalities (12
tonnes/per day) and handed over to the
respective City Corporation/ Municipalities
for Environmental Waste Management. All
Compost Plants are running to produce good
quality Organic fertiliser (Compost) using
respective City Corporation/Pourashava
areas organic waste by the appointed
Operators. For the source separation of waste
10174 numbers of two types Waste bin
(Green for organic waste and Yellow for
inorganic waste) have been distributed and
for the transportation of separated waste 4
double chamber trucks have been provided in
respected City Corporation/Pourashava.
Moreover in Feni pourasava construction of
compost plant is ongoing and in Kishoreganj
pourashava under process.
‫׀‬280‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
Biodiversity Conservation
Because of climatic and geo-natural position,
Bangladesh is affluent with biodiversity.
However, the environment and biodiversity of
Bangladesh now is in endengered due to the
continuous expansion of urbanisation,
industrialization and some inconsiderate
human activities.
Government of Bangladesh has adopted the
National Environment Policy 2018
considering the emerging challenges in the
areas of environment, Ecosystem,
biodiversity and Ecotourism with a view to
entire improvement of conservation
management activities. Meanwhile,
‘Bangladesh Biodiversity Act, 2017’ has been
enacted. Moreover, ‘Ecologically Critical
Management Rules, 2016’ has been prepared.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan:
Bangladesh has adopted ‘National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP) 2016-20’ based on ‘UN Biodiversity
Strategic Plan 2016-2020’. The main theme
of NBSAP is to preserve national
biodiversity. The main activities of NBSAP’s
are:
Conservation of Ecologically Critical Areas
(ECA): The government has declared 13
significant areas of biodiversity as
‘Ecologically Critical Areas. The government
has also taken initiatives to preserve these
areas in order to protect biodiversity and
ensure environmental development. Currently
works started to preserve and promote
biodiversity and ecosystem of Saintmartin,
the only coral island of the country.
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
Moreover, Department of Environment has
been undertaken the declaration process of
proposed 107 km long Halda river as an
Ecologically Critical Area along with 500m
strip on either sides of the river towards
conservation of Halda river which is known
as only one fresh water carp fish breeding
ground.
Different types of activities are being
conducted in ecologically critical areas to
ensure the conservation, management and
sustainable use of coastal and wetland
biodiversity.
Blue Economy: ‘Blue Economy Action Plan’
has been taken to ensure sea ecosystem
conservation, prevention of meritime
pollution, to accumulate meritime resources
and to ensure environmental-friendly
management of these resources. Moreover,
another main objective of this plan is to
include the preservation and management of
marine and coastal biodiversity in the
mainstream of development. Department of
Environment has developed some project
documents to implement the action plan such
as: Monitoring the impact of various point
sources for marine pollution and Access the
Strategic environmental impacts of coastal
and marine resource extraction and its
management which are being under
consideration.
Marine Pollution Monitoring: In order to
monitor marine pollution, water quality is
tested regularly at 4 points in the Bay of
Bengal. By analysing the result of these tests,
it was found that from July 2017 to June
2018, Disolved Oxyzen was 6.3-8.5, pH was
‫׀‬281‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
7.0-8.4 and Total Disolved Solid was 4,829-
13,391.
Ozone Layer Protection
Bangladesh had signed the Montreal Protocol
in 1990 and ratified its later amendments. The
‘National Technical Committee on Ozone
Depleting Substances (NTCODS)’ was formed
in 1995. Furthermore, Ozone Cell was formed
in 1996 in order to implement Montreal
Protocol related activities. Ozone Cell is
executing different projects funded by the
Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund since its
inception. The government has already
banned utilisation of some Ozone depleting
substances. Moreover, different types of
training programmes are being arranged for
the concerned people including law
enforcement agencies who are worked for
protecting ‘Ozone Layer’. Bangladesh
achieved special appreciation of United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in
2012 and 2017 for the successful
implementation of Montreal Protocol.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
Bangladesh: The government is working for
the implementation of the environment and
climate related goals and targets of SDGs.
Among 17 goals of SDGs, 3 goals are directly
linked with environment and climate. The
Goal 13 declares ‘Take urgent action to
combat climate change and its impacts’.
According to the first indicator of goal 13
‘Number of deaths, missing persons and
directly affected persons attributed to
disasters per one lakh populations reduce to
6,500 by 2020 and 1,500 by 2030.’
According to ‘SDGs: Bangladesh Progress
Report-2018’ currently in Bangladesh the
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
number of affected persons is 12,881 among
one lakh people. Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief has prepared
‘Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies of
Bangladesh (2016-2020) with a view to
achieving this target.
The goal 14 says ‘Conserve and sustainably
use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable Development’. One of the key
targets of this goal is ‘Coverage of 2.5
percent of marine areas of Bangladesh as
protected area’. ‘SDGs: Bangladesh Progress
Report- 2018’ discloses that at present, 2.05
percent of marine of Bangladesh is protected.
The goal 15 states that ‘Protect, restore and
promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystem, sustainably manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reserve
land degradation and halt biodiversity loss’.
SDGs: Bangladesh Progress Report-2018’
reveal that the forest coverage of the country
now stands at 17.5 percent which is targeted
to increase to 20 percent by 2020. In order to
protect bio-diversity, Bangladesh has taken
many steps including continuous moratorium
on tree feeling, declaration of 13 significant
areas of biodiversity as ‘Ecologically Critical
Areas’, creating special biodiversity zones
and creating two vulture safe zones.
Conservation of Forest
Department of Forest (DoF) is responsible for
conservation and sustainable management of
forest. The total forest land of Bangladesh is
2.32 million hectares. Out of this total area,
1.60 million hectors are under DoF.
DoF works for the enrichment of forest
resources, providing raw materials to wood-
‫׀‬282‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
based industries and conserving of bio-
diversity. Apart from, the Department has
already implemented different development
projects and programmes with a view to
conserving and developing environment as
well as wildlife. It also works for the
expansion of eco-tourism.
In FY2019-20, DoF has been implementing
12 investment projects and 2 technical
assistance projects. 21 development projects
under Climate Change Trust Fund have also
been implemented by DoF.
Social Forestry and Poverty Reduction
Activities
Social forestry has a great contribution to
reduce poverty and improve socio-economic
condition of the rural and marginal people.
This activity also plays a vital role to protect
environment balance, adaptation and
mitigation of climate change impact and
biodiversity conservation.
Dividends of beneficiaries have been
increased by amending ‘The Social Forestry
Rule, 2004’. Now, the beneficiaries have
opportunity to invest in social forestry
activities. It is noted that more than 7 lakh
beneficiaries are involved in social forestry
programme. A total of Tk. 383.23 crore has
been distributed among 1,91,854
beneficiaries.
Social Forest activity has a big involvement
in the social safety net programme of the
government. In addition, this programme is
largely contributing to economic development
and women empowerment.
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
National Herbarium
Bangladesh National Herbarium (BNH)
conducts taxonomic research on the plant
species of the country. Collecting,
indentifying, preserving and developing
database of agricultural, woody, medicinal,
threatened and economically important plants
through field surveys is the main task of
BNH. The institute publishes in a regular
basis a booklet series called 'Flora of
Bangladesh' which includes information
about plant species of the country. BNH has
already implemented a project entitled
‘Survey of Vascular Flora of Chattogram and
the Chattogram Hill Tracts’ to collect the
plant samples through botanical survey and to
publish a pictorial flora of five districts of
Chattogram and the Chattogram Hill Tracts
areas (Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban,
Khagrachari and Rangamati).
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
'Bangladesh Forest Research Institute' is the
only national research institute for forest and
forest resources. The main task of the institute
is to develop innovative technology for
increasing production of forest resources and
better utilisation of these resources. In
addition, the institute works for development
and expansion of nursery and forestry
strategies to retain some extinct plants. At
present, the institute carrying out 54 research
programmes.
Natural Disaster Management
Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone
countries in the world. Every year, some
disasters are causing huge damage to life and
property of the people of this country. These
‫׀‬283‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
disasters include the devastating cyclone of
1970 and 1991, cyclone Sidar of 2007, Aila
of 2009, the Mahasen of 2013 and Amphan of
2020 and the horrific floods of 1988, 1998,
2004 and 2007. The government has been
working for disaster risk reduction and
preparedness and post disaster rehabilitation
management. One of the 'vision' of the
government in disaster management is to
strengthen the overall capacity of disaster
management, to create a disaster-tolerant
country in addition to establishing an
emergency response system capable of
dealing with risk reduction of the people
especially the poor and the vulnerable. With
this aim in view The Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief has been contributing
importantly to the country's disaster risk
reduction and the implementation of disaster
response rehabilitation programmes.
Recent Steps/Initiatives Regarding
Disaster Management
Activities Related to Act, Policies, Rules
and Contracts
 Cyclone shelters construction,
maintenance and management policy-
2011 is approved to keep the Cyclone
shelters built by different departments/
agencies/ authorities at various times in
coastal areas useable and maintain and
manage them.
 Bangladesh has achieved the membership
of ‘Asian Diaster Reduction Centre
(ADRC)’, ‘Regional Integrted Multi-
Hazzard Early Warning System (RIMES)’,
‘Asian Ministerial Conference on Diaster
Reduction (AMCDR)’ and ‘International
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
Search and Rescue Advisory Group
(INSARAG)’.
 National Disaster Management Policy-
2015 has been published.
 Disaster Dead Body Management
Guideline-2016 is published.
 Draft Post-disaster Waste Management
Guideline has been finalised.
Preparation of Action Plan
 ‘Sendai Framework for Desert Rack
Reduction’ was adopted in the presence of
187 countries in the World Conference on
Disaster Risk Disaster in March 2015 in
Sendai city of Japan. According to the
framework, preparation of action plan for
Bangladesh has been completed.
 Midterm evaluation of the National
Disaster Management Plan prepared for
2010 to 2015 is complete. Based on this,
the next (2016-2020) National Disaster
Management Plan has been formulated.
 Ministry of Disaster Management and
Relief is helping to prepare the SAARC
Plan of Action for Disaster Management
by coordinating disaster management
policy and planning of SAARC member
countries.
 National contingency plan has been
created for rapid transition from the post-
disaster situation including earthquake.
Contingency Plan of Rapid responding
organizations Fire Service and Civil
Defense Department, Armed Forces'
Division, Department of Disaster
Management, Cyclone Preparation
Programme (CPP), Dhaka, Chittagong and
Sylhet City Corporation and various
health services providing organisations,
‫׀‬284‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
Power, Titas, T & T and of WASA has
been done.
 In order to combat disaster effectively, the
process of preparation of the Guidance
Line for the Accident Management
System (IMS) in Bangladesh is in the final
stage.
Awareness Building Progams
 Disaster management and climate change
has been included in the curriculum of 41
educational and training and training
institutes in Curriculum for creating
skilled manpower for disaster
management and climate change. So far,
28 universities have started
Diploma/Masters Courses on Disaster
Management.
 Disaster management section has been
included from 3rd grade to 12th class in
order to increase disaster awareness
among the students.
 A Harmonized Training Module for
trainers and trainees has been developed
in order to achieve equality and
coordination in the training programme of
government and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).
 Under the National Disaster Management
Research and Training Institute
(NDMRTI), training has been given to 301
field level officers from the budget of the
Department of Disaster Management.
Ongoing Projects/ Programmes:
 Construction of low / high (15 meter
long) bridge / culvert construction on
rural roads: In the year 2015-2016, a
total of 4804 bridges/culverts (47530m)
were constructed in 490 upazilas of 64
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
districts. In the year 2016-2017 5626
bridges/culverts were constructed for the
purpose of establishing connectivity with
the Hat-Bazar, shelter center, educational
institution, market and development of
rural roads drainage system. In FY2017-
18, 2333 bridges/culverts (22,070 meters)
and in FY2018-19 688 bridges/culverts
(26,225 meters) construction work is in
progress. Under this project, 12,993
(1,29,924 meters) bridges/culverts will be
constructed at a total cost of Tk. 3,684.36
crore.
 Construction of 15 meter long bridge /
culvert on rural road: A total of 1,
56,000 meters (13,000 bridges / culvert)
will be constructed at a cost of Tk.
657820 crore from January, 2019 to June
2022.
 Herring bone Bond (HBB) (2nd phase)
Project with a view to sustain rural soil
roads: Under the project, in FY2019-20
24,040.5 meter road will be HBB out of
Tk. 33, 47,273.22 lakh.
 Construction of multi-purpose cyclone
shelters in coastal and cyclone-prone
areas (2nd phase) Project: In order to
Provide safe shelter to the poor and
destitute people of coastal and cyclone
prone areas and to reduce disaster risk and
to protect lives, livelihood and valuable
resources, the livestock and other
commodities from disaster damage,
initiatives have been taken to construct
220 shelters in 86 upazilas of 16 districts
at a cost of Tk. 533.16 crore to conduct
educational activities and other public
welfare programmes at shelters. The
‫׀‬285‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020
project started from July, 2016 and will
continue till June 2020.
 Construction of flood shelters in flood
prone areas and river erosion (3rd
phase): To reduce disaster risk and to
protect lives, livestock and valuable
resources of the poor people of project
area of flood-prone and river erosion
areas, 423 flood shelters in 477 upzilas of
42 districts will be constructed at cost of
Tk.1507.43 crore. The project will run
from January, 2018 to June, 2022.
 Disaster Risk Management
Enhancement Project (Funded by
JICA): The project will be implemented
at a total cost of Tk. 620.22 crore from the
period July, 2016 to June 2021, to
improve the disaster risk activities of the
Government, to increase the effective
emergency communication during
disaster and to create a disaster stable
society, through the recovery and
rehabilitation of infrastructure under
disaster risks especially in cyclone risk.
Through this project the offices of Fire
Service Station of 12 high risk upazilas
and offices of 35 Project Implementation
Officers will be modernized through the
Information Communication Technology.
At the same time, after the disaster, the
roads, bridges, culverts, cyclone/flood
shelters would be effectively restored and
rehabilitated in the affected areas.
 District Relief Go-down cum Disaster
Management Information Center
construction project: A total of Tk.
12,741 crore has been allocated for
construction of 66 relief go-downs in 64
districts. The project will run from
January, 2018 to December, 2020. The
Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development
purpose of this project is to create
capacity for conservation of the District's
relief materials district wise and increase
capacity of government in emergency
response programmes during disaster
time.
 Construction, renovation and
development of Mujib Killa project:
Under this project, Rehabilitation and
development of 172 existing and
construction of new 378 Mujib Killas will
be done in 64 upazilas of 16 cyclone
prone districts and 84 upazilas of 22 flood
prone and river erosion area districts at a
cost of Tk. 1957,49 crore from July, 2018
to December, 2021.
 Programmes of Water Development
Board to Combat Climate Change Risk
Bangladesh Water Development Board
plays a special role to combat negative
impact of climate change. The board has
already implemented 91 projects
amounting to Tk. 863.57 crore with
Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund
(BCCTF). More than 33 projects are
operating by BCCFT. These projects
includes construction/repair of
polders/embankment, construction of
cross dam for reclamation of land, river
bank construction and re-excavation of
rivers/khals. As a successful
implementation of these projects,
prevention of flood and saline water
intrusion, removal of water logging, water
availability and proper management of
water have been ensured. Above all,
livelihood of the people of the project
areas has been improved and their ability
to combat negative impact of climate
change has also been increased.
‫׀‬286‫׀‬
Bangladesh Economic Review 2020

Chapter 15- Environment, Climate Change and Development