Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie on Wednesday said that Integrated measures, including a coastal green belt and sustainable embankments, are needed to protect vulnerable communities from natural disasters,
He made the remarks at a national seminar titled ‘Save Coast, Save Bangladesh’ at the National Press Club, organised by Coastal Development Foundation to mark the catastrophic cyclone of 29 April, 1991.
“Integrated steps, including a green belt, durable embankments and adequate cyclone centres, are essential to protect coastal people,” he said, adding that collective efforts are needed to reduce risks from cyclones, tidal surges and floods.
He said Bangladesh remains one of the six most disaster-prone regions globally due to its geographical location, leaving communities exposed to floods, droughts and cyclones.
Recalling the 1991 cyclone, he said it was the deadliest in the country’s history, affecting areas including Cox’s Bazar, Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Banshkhali, Anwara, Chakaria, Sandwip, Sitakunda and Hatia.
He said the then government led by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia managed the crisis with foresight despite being in office for only three months.
Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, ponds and reservoirs will be excavated or re-excavated, he said.
A target has also been set to plant 25 crore trees over the same period to establish a protective green belt across coastal regions.
Coastal Development Foundation Chairman and Chittagong University professor Mohammad Kamal Hossain presided over the seminar and presented the keynote paper.
Among special guests were Cox’s Bazar-4 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Cox’s Bazar-2 MP Alamgir Md Mahfuz Ullah Farid, Chittagong-16 MP Principal Maulana Zahirul Islam and Chittagong-9 MP Abu Sufian.
