A tale of Blacksmith, who faced disaster one after the other.
http://magazine.thenews.com.pk/mag/moneymatter_detail.asp?id=4490&magId=10&catId=117
A blacksmith’s tale
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Monthly Archives: January 2013
What we can have from Doha Climate Conference
The reduction commitments made by developed countries according to the Bali Road Map still remain in paper. There was a commitment in Copenhagen in 2009 to give out $30 billion by 2012 for afforestation and adaptation. But regular development assistance continues to be shown as climate aid although the rich countries had accounted for the commitments on paper. Although the 2012 Doha Conference proposed to extend the Kyoto Protocol it does not include large emitters like United States and Canada. Furthermore, the issue of intellectual property rights for climate technology remains unresolved.
One billion people will be affected due to climate change in the Himalayas
One billion people will lose their homes in the next 50 years according to the Guardian. Of them Bangladesh will account for 30 million. The North Channel Shoal is in the middle of Faridpur’s Kumar river. There is no dearth of people here who have lost their homes to river erosion between 10 and 15 times. The rate of river erosion is also increasing. The number of landless labourers is also on the rise. Villagers are flocking to the cities in a continuous procession. But women are the most vulnerable to climate change. The issues of food and social security are intricately linked with climate refugees which also puts Bangladesh at grave risk.
Five years after cyclone Sidr
Cyclone Sidr still remains fresh in people’s memory after five years it stuck. Some 4500 people died that fatal night. The victims still remember the destruction as clear as daylight. It is perhaps that burning memory that sends them scampering to the shelters now whenever there is a warning at the coastal areas. And those signals have become more frequent. Sharankhola is a small union of the southern Khulna division where 150 government and non-government organisations have been at work over the last five years. But the coastal people still lag far behind in terms of healthcare, education and food security.
Natural seed production is going to lose due to extreme weather change
Natural seed production process is gradually being lost to climate change and lack of awareness. This puts pressure on the marginal farmers and at the same raises food prices. The six seasons are being lost to climate change which brings with it unusual changes in temperature and rainfall. Farmers themselves say they often have to resort to hybrid seeds during droughts and unusually heavy monsoon. Agriculture expert Mahbub Hossain says farmers need technology as well as training. Currently high yielding varieties account for 80 percent of Bangladesh’s harvest. However, the number of complaints from disgruntled farmers who have been deceived by commercial seed sellers is also on the rise.
Extreme cold wave as an effect of climate change
The entire country is shivering in cold. The cold wave is set to sweep through Bangladesh for another couple of days. The Met Office says there is a possibility of another cold wave visiting the country near the end of this month. People are falling victim to this extreme cold and dust. The number of patients is increasing in the hospitals. This time the temperatures have dipped to a record-breaking low after 2.8 degrees Celsius of 1968. Even Dhaka saw severe cold recording 8 degrees Celsius on Friday. The northern district of Syedpur recorded 4 degrees. The Met Office says a cold wave sweeping from Bangladesh’s north-west is mainly responsible for the sudden dip in mercury. In the meantime the number of patients suffering from cold and dust has risen by 30 percent. Climatologists say this drawn out cold spell is a direct fallout of climate change.
Impacts of Chotiari reservoir on communities and ecosystem
Read the story at this link.
This story focuses on the impacts of Chotioari Reservoir, spreading over around 1,800 hectares and covering 30 kilometer area in Sanghar’s desert zone, called White Desert.
The dam was designed with building stone-pitched embankment from one side, leaving the other three sides, which are open from sand dunes.
Environmentalists call it an ecological disaster, as it has not only destroyed the source of living of farmers, herders and fishermen, it has also impacted badly on the ecology.
The dam area was complex of around 60 small and big lakes, some of them are known natural habitats of several species of birds, reptiles and small mammals. The story I have designed with 20-year journey (visiting occasionally, twice or thrice a year to see the change.)
A report of WWF-Pakistan, 2008 reveals that Chotiari reservoir is home to 14 species of large and 19 species of small mammals, 109 species of birds, 58 species of reptiles and amphibians and about 53 species of freshwater fish.
The most important and globally endangered species of the complex wetland site is the Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The construction of reservoir embankments has divided the system in isolated wetland pieces and has definitely triggered the environmental disasters.
WWF-Pakistan with local community-based groups has been focusing on recovery of endangered species, sustainable rangeland management, promotion of sustainable fishing practices, management and control of seepage, provision of alternate energy and reforestation for the growth and improvement of livelihood.
There were herder families, enjoying separate states for their livestock. But gradually, they are facing as if losing the land under their feet. Because, water logging and erosion have not only shrunk grazing fields and islands it is also threatening to the life and livelihoods of communities and disturbing wildlife.
WWF-backed eco tourism project has introduced installing solar energy benefitting community with kitchen gardening, growing vegetables, fruits and grasses at the wider courtyards and open fields, where vegetables were not the choice of the communities. The eco center is attracting people to visit area, once the rich in biological diversity, where now communities are struggling to rehabilitate and promote the community forestation, protecting remaining grazing fields.
Teesta water sharing
“Teesta River and it’s impact on the Bangladesh’s environment and climate.
Op-ed about Teesta River
m, India and then it’s flow towards Bangladesh. Almost 30 million Bangladeshis are depending on that river water in many ways. Farmers, who produce rice and other crops used to use that water for their irrigation. But now a days water is coming less then before. Bangladesh claimed this shortages is destroying Bangladesh and country’s farmers. They also claimed; India is diverting water from their part; as they are the upper riparian side. For this shortages affected climate & environment of this country, which is overwhelming.”
