The demand has been raised for setting up a separate dedicated ministry for marine affairs in order to ensure appropriate utilization of maritime resources for the economic development of the country.
“Although there are 40 ministries in the country, there is no separate ministry for almost the same sea area (1,18,813 sq. km) of Bangladesh. However, there is also no specific policy in this regard. As a result, the killing of marine life and sea pollution are increasing. Against this backdrop, it is necessary to form the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in the country,” said Dr Mohammad Muslem Uddin Munna, Chairman at Department of Oceanography of University of Chittagong.
He also said at the same time the syllabus on sea and rivers needs to be included in the school curriculum.
Dr Muslem Uddin Munna raised the demand during his presidential speech at a webinar on ‘Biodiversity on the Verge of Extinction for Environmental Pollution’. Movement for World Education Rights and Daily Anandabazar jointly on Saturday.
Speakers of the webinar said that environmental pollution is destroying rivers, canals, waterbodies, forest and forest fauna. The humankind is also under threat due to the destruction of the environment.
Faruque Ahmad Arif, convener of Movement for World Education Rights; delivered the welcome speech, while Advocate Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, joint convener of the organisation, moderated the event.
Professor of Environmental Sciences dept at Stamford University Dr Gulshan Ara Latifa presented the main keynote at the webinar, while it was addressed, among others, by Gaous Pearee, director at Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB Trust); Kashmir Reza, president of the Environment and Haor Development Organization; Muhammad Anowarul Hoque, secretary general of Save Our Sea; Ehsanul Haque Jasim, vice president of Marine Journalists’ Network; and Ranjit Barman.
In her keynote, Dr Gulshan Ara Latifa said that many animals are being destroyed from the earth just because of sound. The sound of a crow is hoarse to us, but it does not cause problems for the ears. However, the sound we are making in various kinds of horns or industry-mills is harmful. For this reason, measures have to be taken to control the noise of industries. Apart from that, animals are also dying due to light pollution, she added.
In his speech, Dr Mohammad Muslem Uddin Munna said, “We did not create workplace for those who study oceanography in 12 universities of the country. As a result, many students are going for employment in different directions.”
He said that 80 percent of our food is collected from the sea and rivers. About 90 percent of the fauna is marine. The oceans provide 50 percent of the oxygen we receive. But due to lack of marine knowledge, various species including animals are being destroyed indiscriminately. He also said that the oxygen rate of the sea is decreasing due to environmental pollution. In her speech, Gaous Pearee said that river pollution is being caused due to various reasons including plastics. As a result, riverine fauna is becoming extinct. Fish, birds, riverine animals are being destroyed.
That is threatening our way of life.
Kashmir Reza said that haor fishes are were being hunted, using poison. Birds are being killed indiscriminately. Biodiversity is being destroyed and the environment is being destroyed. We have to get out of these issues.
Faruque Ahmad Arif said that Ministry of Maritime Affairs needs to be formed in the interest of blue economy and overall development of the country.
Muhammad Anowarul Hoque said that sea pollution needs to be remedied. Ranjit Barman said the Sundarbans is being destroyed. No remedy is being taken. Salinity is increasing due to shrimp farming. This poses a major threat to human food. Many are leaving the area.
