DHAKA, July 21, 2017 (BSS) – Speakers at a seminar today called for forming a powerful “Hill Management Committee” to identify the number of hills and bring them under a comprehensive plan for preventing landslides in the hilly areas.
“There is no alternative to protecting environment for ensuring sustainable development of the country. So, we will have to take a comprehensive plan for development activities by keeping consistency with the nature,” Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon told the seminar as the chief guest.
The seminar on “Landslides in Bangladesh: Causes, Consequences and Issues of Disaster Management” was held at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) auditorium in the city.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI), Bangladesh China Cultural and Economic Centre (BCCEC) and Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh jointly organised the seminar.
Dhaka University Geology and Environment Department Professor Dr M Shahidul Islam delivered the keynote speech, while Director General of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Ali Ahmed Khan and DU Professor Dr Badrul Imam also spoke, among others, in the seminar.
Pointing out Bangladesh’s reputation for disaster management, Menon said the country has already achieved remarkable success in the field, but it will have to advance with a “comprehensive planning” through political decision to maintain development and nature simultaneously.
At the outset his speech, the minister expressed deep shock at the death of five people, including three children, of a family after being hit by a landslide that triggered due to heavy downpour at Jangal Salimpur of Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong district early today.
Dr M Shahidul Islam said the government should form a “Hill Management Committee” and give it legal power so that they can exercise it for taking measures to control landslide.
Terming landslide as a worldwide recognized disaster, he said Bangladesh is yet to give the landslide enough recognition as a disaster in the disaster management.
He urged the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to protect the life of the hill people by preventing landslide.