BANGLADESH ENVIRONMENT

BANGLADESH ENVIRONMENT:

BANGLADESH ENVIRONMENT

Bangladesh Has Rich But Dwinding Biodiversity

Bangladesh is situated at the unique juxtaposition of the composite, sprawling, interlinked Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GMB) river systems, the second largest river system in the world, which drains an area of 1,086,000 square kilometers from China, Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Because of this unique geophysical location, the country has been endowed with rich biological diversity, hosting a rich variety of species superbly evolved to populate the ecosystems of the country. However, due to the various pressures of a growing population (with an already existing base of 145 million people), development interventions, gaps in policy and legislation, and conflicting institutional mandates, 95% of Bangladesh’s natural forests and 50% of its freshwater wetlands are lost or degraded. Bangladesh now has among the smallest areas of protected and intact forest in the world, consisting of 1.4% of its landmass. Many terrestrial wildlife species have been lost during the last 100 years. In addition, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in 2000 classified 40% of Bangladesh’s freshwater fish species as threatened with national extinction.

Bangladesh - the Most Vulnerable Country to Global Climate Change

Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to climate change impact. Being the largest delta in the world located at the downstream of the second largest river system, the country is subject to a series of climatic events. The probable impacts of global climate change (GCC), particularly sea-level rise and the associated impact on ecosystems and economic loss, adds to the already daunting array of environmental issues. Climate change will change the physiography and demography of Bangladesh. By 2050, 70 million people could be affected annually by floods; 8 million by drought; up to 8% of the low-lying lands may become permanently inundated. In addition to direct inundation of a large population, the sea level rise will certainly result in increased frequency and severity of flooding along the major estuarine rivers. Saltwater intrusion problems will also be exacerbated in coastal aquifers. Some impacts manifesting in erratic weather patterns and unexpected extreme climatic events have already been evident. The most recent cyclone, Cyclone Sidr, hit Bangladesh on November 15, 2007 with an enormous intensity. Winds of 220-240 km/hr and the cyclone’s width of 600 kilometers caused over 3,000 deaths and projected costs of $2.3 billion dollars due to widespread devastation to houses, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Climate change will change the physiography and demography of Bangladesh. By 2050, 70 million people could be affected annually by floods; 8 million by drought; up to 8% of the low-lying lands may become permanently inundated. Climate Change is no longer only an environmental issue; it is a development issue. Bangladesh has prepared through a participatory process the “Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan” (BCCSAP). About US$500 million will be needed immediately, and about $5 billion will be needed within the next 5-10 years. The government has earmarked US$ 45 million. The donors are in the process of setting up a US$ 150 million Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).

In Bangladesh, Poverty and Natural Resource Dependence are Strongly Linked

Seventy-percent of Bangladeshis depends on natural resources (wetlands and forests) for their livelihoods. Poverty is mainly rural (53% rural headcount poverty, 37% urban). Seventy-seven percent of rural households say they are at break-even or deficit status. Within this bracket, 18% comprise the hardcore poor who are always in deficit. The rural poor are traditionally the most natural resource dependent and landless communities whose lives are totally dependent on natural capital.

Degradation of natural capital and biodiversity has a serious and direct impact on the food security, nutrition and income of the poor. The people of Bangladesh have a historical dependency on the floodplain system for their livelihood security. An estimated 70 million rural households rely on food and income from the wetlands to survive in one of the world’s poorest countries. Around one million people are estimated to fish full time, and 11 million are involved part time – and four out of every five rural dwellers are dependent to some extent on aquatic resources. These resources are estimated to supply between 60% and 80% of the animal protein needs of the country, as well as being a key source of essential minerals, vitamins and fatty acids which are vital factors in child development and adult health. Between 1995 and 2000, freshwater fish consumption fell by 38% among poor wetlands inhabitants. Open water fish that used to supply 80% of the animal protein consumed, in particular by the rural poor, now supply less than 60%. Sustainable management of the bio-diverse natural capital is, therefore, central to poverty reduction in the Bangladesh context.

Arsenic Contamination A devastating environmental disaster threatens the lives of millions of Bangladeshis (and people of West Bengal) as a result of aresnic contamination of the ground water. Tens of millions of persons in many districts are drinking ground water with arsenic concentrations far above acceptable levels. Thousands of people have already been diagnosed with poisoning symptoms, even though much of the at-risk population has not yet been assessed for arsenic-related health problems. The Arsenic Crisis Information Center is the online focal point and repository for this crisis. This is a comprehensive resource for anyone wishing to know more about the crisis and wanting to help in alleviating teh situation.

National Parks and Sanctuaries

The information below has been drawn from the 1993 United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas of the WCMC Protected Areas Database. Only those sites meeting strict criteria are included, principally those meeting IUCN Management Category I-V and covering more than 1,000ha.

National Park

Name	Category	Location	Size	Year
Bhawal	V	24 01'N/ 90 20'E	5,022	1982
Madhupur	V	24 45'N/ 90 05'E	8,436	1982

Wildlife Sanctuary

Name	Category	Location	Size	Year
Chunati	IV	21 40'N/ 92 07'E	7,764	1986
Pablakhali	IV	23 08'N/ 92 16'E	42,087	1983
Rema-Kalenga	IV	24 05'N/ 91 37'E	1,095	1981
Sundarbans East	IV	21 53'N/ 89 47'E	5,439	1977
Sundarbans South	IV	21 50'N/ 89 24'E	17,878	1977
Sundarbans West	IV	21 44'N/ 89 15'E	9,069	1977

Endangered and Threatened Species

This information below is derived from the 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals and is maintained in the WCMC Species Database. The species listed are those considered to be globally threatened as of late 1993 according to the IUCN status categories.

Class	Order	Family	Species
Aves	Ciconiiformes	Ardeidae	Ardea insignis E White-bellied Heron
	Gruiformes	Otididae	Eupodotis indica E Lesser Florican
Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Panthera tigris E Tiger
	Lagomorpha	Leporidae	Caprolagus hispidus E Hispid Hare
	Primates	Hylobatidae	Hylobates hoolock E Hoolock Gibbon
	Proboscidea	Elephantidae	Elephas maximus E Indian Elephant
Reptilia	Crocodylia	Gavialidae	Gavialis gangeticus E Gharial
	Testudines	Cheloniidae	Chelonia mydas E Green Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata E Hawksbill Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea E Olive Ridley
		Emydidae	Batagur baska E Batagur

UNESCO World Heritage List

• 1985 Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat
• 1985 Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur

National Authorities

Main Management Authority		Scientific Authority
Government of Bangladesh Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests Banabhaban, Gulshan Road Mohakhali DHAKA 1212 Tel: 8802 605845/603537/606707/606735 Management Authority 9/E Motijheel Commercial Area DHAKA - 2		Bangladesh Wildlife Advisory Board c/o The Conservator of Forests General Aministration and Wildlife Government of Bangladesh Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests Banabhaban, Gulshan Road Mohakhali DHAKA 1212 Tel:8802 605845/603537/606707/606735

MORE BANGLADESH ENVIRONMENT WEBSITES:

1. USAID: Bangladesh: Environment

   2 Feb 2009 ... Description of Current Conditions for Environment in Bangladesh.
   www.usaid.gov/bd/programs/environ.html

2. Virtual Bangladesh : Environment and Ecology

   Environment and Ecology of Bangladesh. ... BELA- Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association - House #47, Road #5 , Dhanmondi R/A Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh ...
   www.virtualbangladesh.com/bd_eco.html

3. Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association BELA

   The environment in Bangladesh is also challenged by some regional activities and vulnerability to global environmental crisis like climate change, ...
   www.belabangla.org/

4. Bangladesh Environment

   Welcome to the page of Bangladesh Environment. This page dedicated for visitors having keen interest in global environment and especially in Bangladesh ...
   www.eng-consult.com/Bdenv.html

5. Welcome to the www.ben-center.org

   Since its inception BEN has collaborated with pro environment agencies in Bangladesh to nurture a broad social movement, such as represented by the ...
   www.ben-center.org/

6. Bangladesh Environment News - Media Monitoring Service by EIN News

   Bangladesh Environment News. Service for global professionals. Constantly updated news and information about Bangladesh.
   www.einnews.com/bangladesh/newsfeed-bangladesh-environment -

7. Bangladesh Environment

   Bangladesh geographical environment condition is very tremendous situation. Specially Dhaka city is most polluted city in the World. ...
   bangladeshenvironment.blogspot.com/

8. Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act - Wikipedia, the free ...

   25 Oct 2008 ... Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (BECA) is set of laws enacted by the government of Bangladesh in 1995. ...
   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Environment_Conservation_Act
   

9. Bangladesh Environment Blog - Information, Comments, Reviews ...

   1 Jan 2009 ... Bangladesh is a small country in the world. Nobel winner Professor Eunos and his theory about micro credit is appreciate…
   www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/bangladesh-environment-1.html