Environmentalists demand special budget to protect coastal areas

Environmental activists and civil society leaders called for a special allocation in the national budget for FY-2026-27 to ensure the protection of Bangladesh’s disaster-prone coastal regions, which are increasingly affected by climate change and frequent natural disasters.

Speaking at a human chain and rally organized by research organization Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF) and Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement in front of the National Press Club on Friday, speakers said that cyclones, storm surges, floods, river erosion, and rising salinity have placed the coastal environment, agriculture, and livelihoods under severe threat. However, they noted that the proposed national budget failed to give adequate importance to addressing these challenges.

Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, Coordinator of the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement, urged the government, local administration, and development partners to work in coordination to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.

DRDF President Mir Mohammad Ali said that the coastal crisis is now closely linked to the country’s economy and food security. He called for special budget allocations to ensure fishermen’s safety, conserve marine resources, and strengthen climate resilience.

Among the speakers was Ruhin Hossain Prince, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), who, along with others, called for a long-term development plan for coastal areas.

The rally also highlighted a 21-point demand, including declaring coastal regions as climate- and disaster-vulnerable zones, constructing sustainable embankments, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and improving cyclone shelters. The speakers further called for strengthening the social movement titled “Stop Illegal Nets, Protect Fish Resources.”

JB/IF