Govt is spending US$ 3.5b per year in climate adaptation: Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said the government is sincerely working to implement climate adaptation actions by spending US$ 3.5 billion every year.

"But, actually, US$ 9 billion is needed for carrying out adaptation activities," he said while launching the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s the Nature-Based Adaptation Towards Prosperous & Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB) project at Hotel Intercontinental here.

Speaking as the chief guest, Saber Hossain said collaboration among government, NGOs and international development partners are important to this end.

He said the government will empower communities, particularly women, to overcome climate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

The environment minister said initiatives have been taken to protect two critically important ecological areas-- the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, and Hakaloki Haor, a vital breeding ground for birds and fish.

Surrounding communities will be collaborated with to minimise disruptions to these habitats while they will be trained on income generation activities and disaster preparedness, he said.

Eminent water expert and Professor Emeritus at BRAC University Dr Ainun Nishat, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Additional Secretary (Environment) of the ministry Dr Fahmida Khanom, Regional Director of CARE Asia Ramesh Singh and Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, among others, also spoke on the occasion.