RAJSHAHI, Sept 19, 2022 (BSS) - Concerted efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned has become crucial to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change in the region, including its drought-prone Barind area.

The adverse impact of climate change at alarming rates has severely affected every sector, including agriculture and its diversity, creating a real threat to food production and public health.

Experts and development activists came up with the observation while addressing a dialogue titled "Climate Change and New Crisis for Barind Lands'' here today on the occasion of presenting a research paper.

Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), a rights-based development organization, and Barind Region Peoples Organizations Coordination Committee jointly organized the programme at the conference hall of Heritage Archive Bangladesh.

Superintending Engineer of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority Mahfuzur Rahman, Prof Shariful Islam from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Rajshahi University, Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Silk Research and Training Institute Aftab Uddin and BARCIK Director Pavel Partha addressed the meeting as resource persons.

Business Leader Sekendar Ali, Chairman of Save the Nature Mijanur Rahman, Women Leader Rohima Khatun and farmer Nur Muhammad also spoke and
BARCIK Regional Coordinator Shahidul Islam gave an illustration on the issue during his keynote presentation pointing out that the existing agricultural system has started facing a serious threat because of climate change.

He also said instead of indiscriminate using of groundwater, water reservoirs for irrigation purposes has become an urgent need for boosting agricultural productions for ensuring food security.

Apart from this, legitimate rights of the farmers and others concerned should be protected rightly for the sake of encouraging them towards boosting agricultural production to meet its gradually mounting demands.

Referring to their enormous contribution to the country's agricultural development, Shahidul Islam said the farmers deserve the rights of getting all requisite privileges.

There is no alternative to protect their interests as a whole.