DHAKA, Jan 29, 2023 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister 
Md Shahab Uddin today said the government is implementing a research project 
to access the impacts of climate change on local livelihoods and what factors 
push climate vulnerable people to migrate from their localities. 

Funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), the project is 
being implemented by the University of Dhaka and an action plan will be 
formulated that provides opportunities for research-based knowledge, local 
economic base and local adaptation, he said.

The environment minister was addressing a seminar organised at the auditorium 
of Geography and Environment Department of Dhaka University (DU) under the 
project titled 'Local Level Adaptation of Climate Change Displaced People: 
Preparation of an action Plan for Sustainable Livelihood'.

Speaking as the chief guest, he said the government will take effective steps 
as per the recommendations to be given in this project. 

"The results of the research programme will contribute to combating the 
adverse impacts of climate change," Shahab Uddin said, adding that the 
incumbent government has formulated a climate change strategy and action plan 
to deal with the impacts of climate change. 

To implement this action plan, he said a total of 851 projects have been 
taken up by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust established under the special 
initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

Of these projects, three projects have won awards at the national level and 
one project at the international level, the minister continued. 

He said along with climate Change, the country's weather patterns are 
changing while the coastal areas and river-based livelihoods are increasingly 
under threat. 

According to a study (2018), 1.6 men and 0.9 women per 100 people are 
migrating to cities due to river erosion. 
 
"The number of families moving towards cities is the highest. Agriculture is 
gradually decreasing due to constant urbanisation, industrialisation and the 
increase in soil salinity due to climate change in the coastal areas," he 
said. 

Shahab Uddin said that the government will work to prevent this migration 
towards urban areas and manage their livelihood options locally.

Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Managing Director Nurun Nahar Hena, Dhaka 
University's Geography and Environment Department Chairman Professor Dr Md 
Shahidul Islam and Project Director and Prof of Geography and Environment 
Department Nurul Islam Nazem spoke, among others. 

Dr. Humayun Kabir, Professor of the Department, presented the brief findings 
of the project.

Teachers, researchers and representatives of various public and private 
organisations attended the seminar.