ZCZC
BSS-69
BUDGET-ENVIRONMENT
Tk 1,270cr proposed for environment ministry
DHAKA, June 7, 2018 (BSS) – Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith today proposed an allocation of Taka 1,270 crore for environment ministry in the national budget for 2018-19 fiscal.
While placing the budget in Parliament, Muhith said in the light of Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), 44 activities under 6 thematic areas are being implemented for mitigating and adaptation of the effects of climate change.
These activities have been brought under government budget classification to capture total expenditure on climate change, he added.
Besides, Muhith said, various programmes are being implemented under ‘Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund’ created with own fund.
He said Bangladesh as a member of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in which intentions for reducing carbon emission by 5 per cent with own initiative and 15 per cent with international cooperation by 2030.
“To achieve these targets, we have prepared a ‘Implementation Roadmap’. Also, preparation of National Adaptation Plan in under way for mitigating long-term effects of climate change,” the finance minister added.
He said significant programmes also include determination of Effects or risks of climate change on agriculture, water, infrastructures, urbanisation, biodiversity, health and food security and assistance to affected people; adopting advanced technology in brick kilns; and bringing low carbon emitting technology from developed countries, among others.
Quality of air is being monitored through fulltime Air Quality Monitoring Station, he said adding inter-state air quality is also being monitored through Air Quality Monitoring Station stationed in Satkhira.
For controlling industrial wastes, construction of waste refinery, recycling of liquid waste, adopting zero discharge plants, and establishment of Environmental Treatment Plants in factories, among others, are being conducted, Muhith said adding steps are being taken to conserve/protect most polluted rivers the Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Halda and coastal areas by declaring them as environmentally endangered areas.
In addition, various activities including sustained management of marine resources, reducing use of CFCs to 35 per cent and conserving environment and biodiversity have been taken, he added.
“We are conserving and expanding forest land by adopting sustainable forest management strategies including raising seedlings, creating block-strip forests, afforestation of coastal shoals, and social forestry, among others. We have plan to create green belt by creating mangrove forests in 28,526 hectares of land covering 512 km coastal area by 2021,” the finance minister added.
Steps are being taken to measure carbon level in 15 protected areas including the Sundarbans, he said updated information are being collected on forest resources and preparing forest cover maps using satellite imaging for ICT-based forest management.
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