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বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Monday | 3 August 2026, 19 Srabon 1433

HEADLINE

● Are women only partners in movement or they should be symbol of empowerment? ● Tarique Rahman to visit 3 flood-affected upazilas in Ctg ● Political harassment cases to be withdrawn through committees ● South Korean trade minister meets PM Tarique Rahman ● Class XI admission to be based on SSC results again ● 3 injured in sandbag bomb explosion in Barishal ● Parasailing suspended in Cox’s Bazar after tourist’s death

Climate-resilient, sustainable cities need joint action: speakers

Published : Monday, 3 August, 2026 at 10:00 PM

Observer staff correspondent

Speakers at a citizen dialogue on Monday called for coordinated action by the government, local bodies, NGOs and citizens to build climate-resilient and sustainable cities as climate change and rapid urbanisation continue to worsen environmental risks.

The dialogue, titled "Climate Crisis and Environmental Degradation: Building Climate-resilient and Sustainable Cities", was jointly organised by Children Watch Foundation (CWF) and BARCIK at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP, said the government is taking steps to curb air pollution, illegal brick kilns, single-use polythene and urban waterlogging. He said nature-based solutions, tree plantation, canal restoration and better waste management are key to making cities more liveable, while citizens must also play their part.

Special guests Anisur Rahman Khokon, MP, and Kazi Rawnakul Islam (Tipu), managing director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, stressed public participation, protection of canals and water bodies, and urgent action to tackle drinking water shortages and climate impacts in coastal districts.

Presenting findings from a 2025 study by CWF and BARCIK, Shah Israt Azmeri said Dhaka lost green spaces and water bodies between 2010 and 2025 due to unplanned urban growth. The study found 55.5% of climate-displaced people moved because of river erosion, 27% because of floods, while 70.59% of people living in informal settlements face climate-related disasters more than three times a year.

BARCIK Coordinator Jahangir Alam delivered the welcome speech. The dialogue was attended by BARCIK Director Pavel Partha, Syed Ali Biswas, Touhidul Alam, Dr. Lalin Chowdhury, Prof. Adil Mohammed Khan, Prof. Kamruzzaman Majumder, Mihir Biswas, Aminul Rasul, Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Amreen Binte Azad, Rupa Sheikh Roni, Runa Akter, Gaous Payree, Khandakar Rebaka Sunyat, Hosnawara Begum Rafeza, Saddam Hossain, and representatives from government agencies, civil society, academia and the media.

-HIS

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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