Saving the tigers from extinction
The drastic reduction of wildlife is a global concern as it contributes greatly to environmental degradation. Among other reasons, the fast growing industries and economic boom in the developing and promising countries can be attributed to the reduction of wildlife . Tigers figure out prominent in the wildlife population. For centuries, villagers living in Asia’s forest , mountains and icy tundra have learned to fear and respect the mighty tiger. But rapid economic growth and modernization have reduced the number of tiger to as few as 3200 in the wild, mostly in India, Russia and Indonesia. Currently there are fourteen tiger range countries in the world such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. The climate change across the globe, environmental pollution and the endangered wildlife are directly linked with each other.
With a view to responding to the existing deplorable condition of tigers, Russia hosted a summit from 21-24 November, focusing on how to save this animal for extinction. Government’s officials from fourteen tiger range states along with the World Bank Group, Smithsonian Institution, the WWF, National Geographic and other conservation and development partners and stakeholders gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia to have a high-level discussion on a global plan to save tigers. The participating countries have outlined plans to double the wild tiger population by 2022. The task will not end in Petersburg. They will need to ensure robust implementation and regular stocktaking in the next three to five critical years to ensure success. Success would mark a turning point, where countries secure wildlife and biodiversity, and their very valuable but fragile natural wealth. The plight of tigers casts a spotlight on the broader biodiversity crisis that often goes unnoticed among the failure to safeguard biodiversity and balanced development.
The debate over how to save the tiger has resonance in India, home to over 1400 wild tigers. Its delegates to St. Petersburg was led by the head of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, an agency created in 1973 in response to a drastic fall in tiger numbers. India has 39 reserve and six conservation zones for tigers, though some have been depleted by poaching. “This commitment predates India’s recent rapid economic takeoff, we have been spending money on tigers even when the chops were down, “says Ravi Singh, secretary general of WWF in India. But India’s economic boom is not necessarily a plus for its rich wildlife. A rush to develop rural areas dig mines and build road has eaten away at forest reserves where tigers roam, often over hundreds of miles in search of prey. Corruption and low morale is also responsible for the failure of forest rangers to protect wildlife.
As Rudyard Killing’s The Jungle Book begins, Mother and Father Wolf are troubled to learn that the tiger, “ Shere Khan, the Big One, has shifted his hunting grounds. The wolves fear the tiger’s presence in their midst may anger local villagers and cause man to seek revenge, threatening animal and land alike.”In 1894, when this collection of short stories was published, 100000 tigers roamed the wild. Today, that number has plummeted to 3200 and Shere Khan’s hunting grounds the habitats in which all wild tigers live are vanishing. Tigers now occupy only 7% of their original range. We are fast approaching a time when the roar of a tiger in the wild be replaced forever by silence. Just over a century, there were eight species of tigers namely Amur Bali, Caspian, Indo-Chinese , Javan, Royal Bengal, South China and Sumatran with an estimated world population of 100000 tigers in the wild. However, regrettably, within a short span of 40 years, three species of tiger, Bali in 1940, Caspian in 1970 and Javan in 1980 became extinct form their natural habitat. The present world populations of tigers have abruptly come down and consequently their distribution and habitat have shrunk dramatically.
Around the globe, individuals, governments, the World Bank Group, the Global Environment Facility and conservation groups have already invested considerable resources in tiger protection- and there have been successes. The Amur, or Siberain tiger has been brought back from the brink of extinction though the combined anti-poaching and conservation efforts of the Russian government, local and international NGOs and local communities in the Russian far east. The Tetari Arc Landscape project in Nepal offers another possible model as how human communities can coexist alongside core tiger habitats. For this project, conservationists in the public and private sectors are working together to restore, reconnect and manage 11 national parks into one continuous corridor of protected areas to benefit humans and wildlife. These examples show that tiger populations can recover if habitats can be protected, when and outside protect areas and if poaching of tigers and their prey is stopped. But while there are some important successes, the bigger picture remains bleak. Habitat degradation and fragmentation continue conservation efforts are continually being undermined by poaching and illegal trade
William Blake’s evocative poem “ Tiger” may appear irrelevant in the present day world but it certainly shows how charismatic and magnificent was the Tiger all along. Therefore, it is extremely significant at this moment to generate awareness about the species since the whole world is in the mood of joining the vanguard for saving tigers. Now there is a dire need to show firm commitment to keep the wild tigers in our forests as the plight of the world’s last wild tigers is close to catastrophe. Saving the wild tiger is a global challenge. Just as with many of the other challengers of sustainability such as climate change, pandemic disease or poverty-the crisis facing tigers overwhelms local capabilities and transcends national boundaries. The country of Royal Bengal Tiger also promises to join the procession.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Seoul G-20 Summit
Significant achievements evaded in Seoul G-20 Summit
The fifth annual G20 Summit, a meeting of the G20 heads of government to discuss the world economy, was held in Seoul, Korea on November 11-12, 2010. The political leaders came here with the desire to make advances from the last summit in Toronto, where they set out a long-term goal of sustaining the global economic recovery. Significant achievements evaded them on the two most contentious issues on their agenda in Seoul such as exchange rates and trade imbalances. But they failed to reach an accord on settling their disagreement over these two issues. Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged at the end of the meetings on November 12 that he and his fellow leader had fallen short. The major industrialized and developing nations have recognized that these are tough issues that cannot be ignored.
The world’s largest rich and emerging economies including China vowed in the summit to ‘spare no effort ‘at upcoming climate talks in Mexico, a year after Beijing stymied a deal in Copenhagen. ‘We will spare effort to reach a balanced and successful outcome in Cancun.” The vow came less than three weeks before 194 countries meet in the Mexican resort city of Cancun for a second go at hammering out an agreement to curb greenhouse gases after 2012 when the current agreement expires. The climate gathering will take place in the lingering shadow of last December’s Copenhagen Summit which ended in near fiasco due to Chinese reluctance to agree to binding commitments. Addressing the threat of global climate change is an urgent priority for all nations. Despite the promise, China has led in curbing greenhouse gases. Developed countries have their historic responsibility over climate change but the question is how much they are shouldering their responsibilities. China and US clashed at a UN Climate gathering last month in the Chinese city of Tianjin, accusing each other of blocking progress ahead of the Cancun Summit. The US wants China the world’s largest source of the greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, to commit to curbing carbon emissions and developing countries to agree to more scrutiny of their climate claims. China has rejected pressure for outside verification. She says it was US attempt to divert attention for the fact the US has so far failed to get emissions cut legislation through congress.
G-20 leaders vowed to avoid tit-for tat currency devaluation but China’s strong objections to any brakes on its export machine undermined a US push to redress skewed global trade and emerging economies agreed to pursue ‘ Indicative guidelines to reorient trade between surplus and deficit nations. Chinese president Hu-Jintao had presented his own counter-proposals in Seoul, calling on the United States to adopt ‘responsible policies’ and maintain a stable dollar.Hu, who presides over the world’s second largest economy and its largest exporter, demanded global resistance to trade barriers as he painted a bleak picture of the economic outlook. International financial markets are volatile, the fluctuations in the major currencies are large, prices of commodities are high and there is a clear rise in protectionism.
Obama having suffered an economy lined drubbing in US midterm elections said there should be no controversy about fixing imbalances ‘ that helped to contribute to the crisis that we just went through .’ But controversy was rife in the G-20 after the Federal Reserve instituted a 600-billion dollar attempt to relate the US economy radical monetary step . Chinese officials sought to throw the onus back on the US by arguing that Beijing has an ‘unwiring commitment to reform it’s much criticized currency regime but needs stability in the world economy. “ The US plan to curtail trade imbalance was a back-door way of forcing China to realign its currency which criticizes it’s deliberately cheap Chinese exporters.
The world’s biggest rich and emerging powers actually ‘escalated a war of words over trade and currencies on November 11. Leaders opened a G-20 summit struggling to iron out distortions that threaten global growth. The US striving recover from it worse economic crisis in decades locked horns anew with exporting giant China and Germany over a plan to rebalance skewed commerce between deficit and surplus countries Obama grafting to salvage a deal at the G20 after suffering an economy lined drubbing in US Elections last week .Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the risk was of ‘competitive devaluation’ of currencies reminiscent of the Great Depression. Brazilian president Luiz Inancio Lula de Silva said the world economy was shadowed for ‘bankruptcy’ unless rich nations raise consumer demand rather than reclining and exports to power their recoveries. These predictions call for due attention not only for the interest of industrialized but also developing nations.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
The fifth annual G20 Summit, a meeting of the G20 heads of government to discuss the world economy, was held in Seoul, Korea on November 11-12, 2010. The political leaders came here with the desire to make advances from the last summit in Toronto, where they set out a long-term goal of sustaining the global economic recovery. Significant achievements evaded them on the two most contentious issues on their agenda in Seoul such as exchange rates and trade imbalances. But they failed to reach an accord on settling their disagreement over these two issues. Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged at the end of the meetings on November 12 that he and his fellow leader had fallen short. The major industrialized and developing nations have recognized that these are tough issues that cannot be ignored.
The world’s largest rich and emerging economies including China vowed in the summit to ‘spare no effort ‘at upcoming climate talks in Mexico, a year after Beijing stymied a deal in Copenhagen. ‘We will spare effort to reach a balanced and successful outcome in Cancun.” The vow came less than three weeks before 194 countries meet in the Mexican resort city of Cancun for a second go at hammering out an agreement to curb greenhouse gases after 2012 when the current agreement expires. The climate gathering will take place in the lingering shadow of last December’s Copenhagen Summit which ended in near fiasco due to Chinese reluctance to agree to binding commitments. Addressing the threat of global climate change is an urgent priority for all nations. Despite the promise, China has led in curbing greenhouse gases. Developed countries have their historic responsibility over climate change but the question is how much they are shouldering their responsibilities. China and US clashed at a UN Climate gathering last month in the Chinese city of Tianjin, accusing each other of blocking progress ahead of the Cancun Summit. The US wants China the world’s largest source of the greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, to commit to curbing carbon emissions and developing countries to agree to more scrutiny of their climate claims. China has rejected pressure for outside verification. She says it was US attempt to divert attention for the fact the US has so far failed to get emissions cut legislation through congress.
G-20 leaders vowed to avoid tit-for tat currency devaluation but China’s strong objections to any brakes on its export machine undermined a US push to redress skewed global trade and emerging economies agreed to pursue ‘ Indicative guidelines to reorient trade between surplus and deficit nations. Chinese president Hu-Jintao had presented his own counter-proposals in Seoul, calling on the United States to adopt ‘responsible policies’ and maintain a stable dollar.Hu, who presides over the world’s second largest economy and its largest exporter, demanded global resistance to trade barriers as he painted a bleak picture of the economic outlook. International financial markets are volatile, the fluctuations in the major currencies are large, prices of commodities are high and there is a clear rise in protectionism.
Obama having suffered an economy lined drubbing in US midterm elections said there should be no controversy about fixing imbalances ‘ that helped to contribute to the crisis that we just went through .’ But controversy was rife in the G-20 after the Federal Reserve instituted a 600-billion dollar attempt to relate the US economy radical monetary step . Chinese officials sought to throw the onus back on the US by arguing that Beijing has an ‘unwiring commitment to reform it’s much criticized currency regime but needs stability in the world economy. “ The US plan to curtail trade imbalance was a back-door way of forcing China to realign its currency which criticizes it’s deliberately cheap Chinese exporters.
The world’s biggest rich and emerging powers actually ‘escalated a war of words over trade and currencies on November 11. Leaders opened a G-20 summit struggling to iron out distortions that threaten global growth. The US striving recover from it worse economic crisis in decades locked horns anew with exporting giant China and Germany over a plan to rebalance skewed commerce between deficit and surplus countries Obama grafting to salvage a deal at the G20 after suffering an economy lined drubbing in US Elections last week .Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the risk was of ‘competitive devaluation’ of currencies reminiscent of the Great Depression. Brazilian president Luiz Inancio Lula de Silva said the world economy was shadowed for ‘bankruptcy’ unless rich nations raise consumer demand rather than reclining and exports to power their recoveries. These predictions call for due attention not only for the interest of industrialized but also developing nations.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Obama's India tour
Obama attaches more importance to India than other Asian nations!
India has the reason to catch the Obama fever as she is now entertaining the world’s most powerful leader. Obama’s three day stop in India is the longest amount of time he spent in a foreign country since taking office. It also shows the longer time of his 10-day Aisa tour. Hence time and starting the visit with India attaches importance to global and bilateral relations between these two democracies. The main significance of the trip is to demonstrate and show the importance the United States and particularly president Obama, attaches to India. He is visiting key Asian democracies. It is India, Japan, and Indonesia—there’s a subtle signing that values matter in foreign policy and that democracies are especially important to the United States. . It is also a signal to China of the importance the US places on democracies.
Foreign relation expert Geroge Perkovich pointed out that US-India relations are important in several ways. First it’s important that they aren’t negative and that there is a sense that these two countries are on a positive trajectory-this is very important in the positive direction, the trend is most important. He explained that ‘it’s not a question of war and peace as it is impossible to imagine the United States and India going to war. And the two of them are not going to solve the global economic crisis together. So, there isn’t; any particular problem that they are going to solve together or particular crisis that they could create together. We want to see the general upward trend of the relationship.
On the India US relations, foreign relation expert Perkovinch said, “ US-India relations were on a positive trajectory from the middle part of the Clinton administration onward and this was very good thing.” The success of American Presidents such as Bill Clinton, Geroge Bush and Obama and Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, AB Vajapyee and Dr. Manomohan Singh basically helped the two countries on a positive trajectory. The expert says that the two countries in the short term have a lot of divergent interests. In the long term, both countries want the same kind of world and they both want each other to succeed. But in democracies especially politics is all about the short term. On trade issues India wants its workers to have more access to the US, especially its educated workers including accountants, IT professionals, and lawyers and so on. The US is worried about unemployment and protecting jobs. So it frustrates India by not changing the terms under which Indian workers can come to the US. The United States would like greater access to the Indian market for American farmed goods and other goods but India has 400 million small farmers and is worried about employment in India so it doesn’t accommodate the US position.
Obama pledged to work more closely with India to combat global terrorism and offered long-standing dispute over Kashir without intervening directly. Speaking at a news conference alongside Indian prime Minister Manomohan Sing, Obama said that while both India and Pakistan have an interest in reducing tensions in the region., the U.S cannot impose a solution to these problems. We are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate. Kashmir is a long standing issue which the world considers more as a human rights violation than the political games between India and Pakistan. Both the neighbours are politically concerned about Kashmir issue but the unarmed and youths are tortured continuously in their own homeland. Since in 1947 the issue has been standing as a time bomb but no such peaceful solution is offered by any party. Both India and Pakistan are equally responsible for this issue. India, the desiring member of Security Council must resolve the security problem of its own people and the people around her.
The president praised the relationship between the US an India as one of e defining partnerships of the 21st century. He and Singh said they would co-host an international education summit next year and said the Department of Homeland Security and India’s Ministry Of Home Affairs would collaborate to combat terrorism by improving security at airports and seaports. Obama also said the US will continue to share intelligence with India and Singh said his country would establish new center to focus more attention on the issues of nuclear proliferation and disease. The leaders also reaffirmed their pledges of new fund of economic cooperation. Obama speaks on counterterrorism, regional security, clean energy, climate change and economic growth. He has announced that America will support India’s inclusion in the Security Council as its permanent member. The present scenario of world politics and the time also demand another permanent member of UNSC. India qualifies for the position in many respects such as its size, population, scientific development and its growing economy. On the contrary, the bitter bilateral relations with its neighbours and big brotherly attitude still makes the neighurs feel insecure. Its gaining atomic power in no way makes south Asian countries sleep soundly. It only increases tensions between its arch rival Pakistan.
Chinas’ emergence and rise is the focus of attention not only of the United States but among all countries in the region; none of them wants to have hostile or adversarial relations with China. At the same time none wants to be dominated by China. It is natural. India’s hegemony is also not expected by her neighbours. Border dispute, water sharing issues and imbalanced trade have made unequal relations between India and with South Asian nations. Washington’s trying to develop close relation with India is sure to irk China who wishes to gain more international influence and regional leadership which Obama cannot ignore.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program. He regularly writes on various national and international issues
( Former professor of English at Ghatail Cantonment College, Sylhet Cadet College, Comilla Cadet College and Mirzapur Cadet College, Rajuk Uttara Model College and Tutor BELT Program, BOU)
India has the reason to catch the Obama fever as she is now entertaining the world’s most powerful leader. Obama’s three day stop in India is the longest amount of time he spent in a foreign country since taking office. It also shows the longer time of his 10-day Aisa tour. Hence time and starting the visit with India attaches importance to global and bilateral relations between these two democracies. The main significance of the trip is to demonstrate and show the importance the United States and particularly president Obama, attaches to India. He is visiting key Asian democracies. It is India, Japan, and Indonesia—there’s a subtle signing that values matter in foreign policy and that democracies are especially important to the United States. . It is also a signal to China of the importance the US places on democracies.
Foreign relation expert Geroge Perkovich pointed out that US-India relations are important in several ways. First it’s important that they aren’t negative and that there is a sense that these two countries are on a positive trajectory-this is very important in the positive direction, the trend is most important. He explained that ‘it’s not a question of war and peace as it is impossible to imagine the United States and India going to war. And the two of them are not going to solve the global economic crisis together. So, there isn’t; any particular problem that they are going to solve together or particular crisis that they could create together. We want to see the general upward trend of the relationship.
On the India US relations, foreign relation expert Perkovinch said, “ US-India relations were on a positive trajectory from the middle part of the Clinton administration onward and this was very good thing.” The success of American Presidents such as Bill Clinton, Geroge Bush and Obama and Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, AB Vajapyee and Dr. Manomohan Singh basically helped the two countries on a positive trajectory. The expert says that the two countries in the short term have a lot of divergent interests. In the long term, both countries want the same kind of world and they both want each other to succeed. But in democracies especially politics is all about the short term. On trade issues India wants its workers to have more access to the US, especially its educated workers including accountants, IT professionals, and lawyers and so on. The US is worried about unemployment and protecting jobs. So it frustrates India by not changing the terms under which Indian workers can come to the US. The United States would like greater access to the Indian market for American farmed goods and other goods but India has 400 million small farmers and is worried about employment in India so it doesn’t accommodate the US position.
Obama pledged to work more closely with India to combat global terrorism and offered long-standing dispute over Kashir without intervening directly. Speaking at a news conference alongside Indian prime Minister Manomohan Sing, Obama said that while both India and Pakistan have an interest in reducing tensions in the region., the U.S cannot impose a solution to these problems. We are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate. Kashmir is a long standing issue which the world considers more as a human rights violation than the political games between India and Pakistan. Both the neighbours are politically concerned about Kashmir issue but the unarmed and youths are tortured continuously in their own homeland. Since in 1947 the issue has been standing as a time bomb but no such peaceful solution is offered by any party. Both India and Pakistan are equally responsible for this issue. India, the desiring member of Security Council must resolve the security problem of its own people and the people around her.
The president praised the relationship between the US an India as one of e defining partnerships of the 21st century. He and Singh said they would co-host an international education summit next year and said the Department of Homeland Security and India’s Ministry Of Home Affairs would collaborate to combat terrorism by improving security at airports and seaports. Obama also said the US will continue to share intelligence with India and Singh said his country would establish new center to focus more attention on the issues of nuclear proliferation and disease. The leaders also reaffirmed their pledges of new fund of economic cooperation. Obama speaks on counterterrorism, regional security, clean energy, climate change and economic growth. He has announced that America will support India’s inclusion in the Security Council as its permanent member. The present scenario of world politics and the time also demand another permanent member of UNSC. India qualifies for the position in many respects such as its size, population, scientific development and its growing economy. On the contrary, the bitter bilateral relations with its neighbours and big brotherly attitude still makes the neighurs feel insecure. Its gaining atomic power in no way makes south Asian countries sleep soundly. It only increases tensions between its arch rival Pakistan.
Chinas’ emergence and rise is the focus of attention not only of the United States but among all countries in the region; none of them wants to have hostile or adversarial relations with China. At the same time none wants to be dominated by China. It is natural. India’s hegemony is also not expected by her neighbours. Border dispute, water sharing issues and imbalanced trade have made unequal relations between India and with South Asian nations. Washington’s trying to develop close relation with India is sure to irk China who wishes to gain more international influence and regional leadership which Obama cannot ignore.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program. He regularly writes on various national and international issues
( Former professor of English at Ghatail Cantonment College, Sylhet Cadet College, Comilla Cadet College and Mirzapur Cadet College, Rajuk Uttara Model College and Tutor BELT Program, BOU)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Army Housing
Healing the wounds of army and civilian relations
No sooner had the nation witnessed with grave concern the saddest incident of Sirajgonj than another one of an exceptional kind took place at Rupgonj. Both the sad incidents call for national concern, not political or military or Railway department separately and individually. Army is the sacred wealth and institution of a nation particularly in third world countries where political chaos reigns supreme. The nation sometimes witnesses political chaos which becomes the order of the day and the army then becomes the solution. We have not forgotten the political violence unleashed several times since we achieved independence. During that critical period of the nation the army became the custodian of our security and brought discipline . General people have a specialized honour and fear for the army. So, this institution has been utilized for any critical moment of the nation. Think of Chittagong Port. It went into standstill, only the army intervention made it operational. When we think of making our national ID we must remember them for their commendable job. At present they are working for making our electronic passport. One of my colleague just commented on their service that we think we have come to an office of a civilized country to make a passport which was one of the severest pains and harassments of the country. Now the passport office seems to be a clean place because of army intervention. So, in no way the army should be placed on the confronting situation with the citizens. People will withdraw their respect from the army when the incidence of Rupgonj occurs. We must not put the army in the place of police in the eyes of the people. General people don’t have any respect and they don’t any believe in the police. They become the victims of many odds and accidents but don’t want to meet the police for further fear of harassment. It is an established but sad truth of the nation.
I consider Bangladesh Army as an industry. Many think our army only consumes our national wealth. Actually, by virtue of the world class professional service of our armed forces, they have become one of the biggest foreign exchange earners by working in the UN missions. In the UN missions Bangladesh Army is one of the most vital forces. They had to earn that reputation at the cost of their dedication and honesty. Being the members of a poor country they have earned global reputation which call for our attention and we really take price in them. We must save our army at any cost. But to save the army the institution itself has to follow some guidelines and code of conduct being the citizens of an independent nation. A retired army officer has claimed the Army Housing Scheme project was taken up to meet the urgent need of the officer’s housing. The acquisition of land has been a factor which could not be met for years together. Land has become scarce for a long time. Yes, land has become scarce in the country which needs to be addressed by raising multi-storied buildings, or thinking to make housing on water or something like that. We cannot afford to encourage occupying agricultural land to make housing. The proposed site of the Army Housing Scheme in Rupgonj includes designated flood flow zone, water bodies and rural homesteads where no construction is permitted by the Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan. Alternation of flood flow zone would have an adverse effect on conservation of water bodies, river and biodiversity. It would increase vulnerability to urban flooding, hinder percolation of ground water level and escalate river pollution. Of the total area of the 24 moujas 65percent flood flow zone, 12 percent water bodies and 13 percent rural settlements. A canal flows from Beraid to Dakshin Nabagram across the proposed site in Rupgonj upazila of Narayangonj where the army plans to implement a 12000 bighas housing project.. Army Housing Scheme authority did not consult Rajuk, the custodian of the Detailed Area Plan, about the project although it was obliged to do so in line with private Housing Development Rules 2004 . It also raises questions that the armed forces did not consult the custodian. They should not consider themselves as a separate entity in this regard. They must show honour to the national laws and rules. Again, how uniformed higher level officers can be the chairman and managing director of the said housing? The army must take the whole affair into consideration.
Brining in any situation under control is utmost important for any kind of administration. Upto a certain degree, things remain controlled under the administration. The barometer will say when the mercury rises. We never should allow raising the mercury to such a level as cannot be controlled. The initial stages could have been controlled which the authorities concerned both civil and military ignored. After the barometer has risen so high that means people turned into unruly mob went fully beyond control and then brutal way of controlling was resorted. Both the actions and after effect bring serious return. The same thing happened to Sirajgonj. A huge meeting was going on. Stopping the train was absolutely impossible but the innocent drivers became the victims. The total administration, government agencies and the BNP party men all were seriously negligent of the impending danger and after the incident they just started playing filthy blame games. They hardly consider the loss of national wealth and the families of the dead and wounded and the hapless drivers. Everybody concerned was responsible for the incident. In Rupgonj also no authority was careful and active. When everything went beyond control, everybody and every organization started shouting and sidetracking the responsibility. It means another serious mess. The images of burning Army temporary Camp or the burning of military vehicles or the embarrassment of the military have seriously mesmerized the army and civilians relations which we don’t expect. It is hard to heal the wound already made. But we must heal it not at the cost of hostility but through the tools of friendship.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program, PACE
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
No sooner had the nation witnessed with grave concern the saddest incident of Sirajgonj than another one of an exceptional kind took place at Rupgonj. Both the sad incidents call for national concern, not political or military or Railway department separately and individually. Army is the sacred wealth and institution of a nation particularly in third world countries where political chaos reigns supreme. The nation sometimes witnesses political chaos which becomes the order of the day and the army then becomes the solution. We have not forgotten the political violence unleashed several times since we achieved independence. During that critical period of the nation the army became the custodian of our security and brought discipline . General people have a specialized honour and fear for the army. So, this institution has been utilized for any critical moment of the nation. Think of Chittagong Port. It went into standstill, only the army intervention made it operational. When we think of making our national ID we must remember them for their commendable job. At present they are working for making our electronic passport. One of my colleague just commented on their service that we think we have come to an office of a civilized country to make a passport which was one of the severest pains and harassments of the country. Now the passport office seems to be a clean place because of army intervention. So, in no way the army should be placed on the confronting situation with the citizens. People will withdraw their respect from the army when the incidence of Rupgonj occurs. We must not put the army in the place of police in the eyes of the people. General people don’t have any respect and they don’t any believe in the police. They become the victims of many odds and accidents but don’t want to meet the police for further fear of harassment. It is an established but sad truth of the nation.
I consider Bangladesh Army as an industry. Many think our army only consumes our national wealth. Actually, by virtue of the world class professional service of our armed forces, they have become one of the biggest foreign exchange earners by working in the UN missions. In the UN missions Bangladesh Army is one of the most vital forces. They had to earn that reputation at the cost of their dedication and honesty. Being the members of a poor country they have earned global reputation which call for our attention and we really take price in them. We must save our army at any cost. But to save the army the institution itself has to follow some guidelines and code of conduct being the citizens of an independent nation. A retired army officer has claimed the Army Housing Scheme project was taken up to meet the urgent need of the officer’s housing. The acquisition of land has been a factor which could not be met for years together. Land has become scarce for a long time. Yes, land has become scarce in the country which needs to be addressed by raising multi-storied buildings, or thinking to make housing on water or something like that. We cannot afford to encourage occupying agricultural land to make housing. The proposed site of the Army Housing Scheme in Rupgonj includes designated flood flow zone, water bodies and rural homesteads where no construction is permitted by the Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan. Alternation of flood flow zone would have an adverse effect on conservation of water bodies, river and biodiversity. It would increase vulnerability to urban flooding, hinder percolation of ground water level and escalate river pollution. Of the total area of the 24 moujas 65percent flood flow zone, 12 percent water bodies and 13 percent rural settlements. A canal flows from Beraid to Dakshin Nabagram across the proposed site in Rupgonj upazila of Narayangonj where the army plans to implement a 12000 bighas housing project.. Army Housing Scheme authority did not consult Rajuk, the custodian of the Detailed Area Plan, about the project although it was obliged to do so in line with private Housing Development Rules 2004 . It also raises questions that the armed forces did not consult the custodian. They should not consider themselves as a separate entity in this regard. They must show honour to the national laws and rules. Again, how uniformed higher level officers can be the chairman and managing director of the said housing? The army must take the whole affair into consideration.
Brining in any situation under control is utmost important for any kind of administration. Upto a certain degree, things remain controlled under the administration. The barometer will say when the mercury rises. We never should allow raising the mercury to such a level as cannot be controlled. The initial stages could have been controlled which the authorities concerned both civil and military ignored. After the barometer has risen so high that means people turned into unruly mob went fully beyond control and then brutal way of controlling was resorted. Both the actions and after effect bring serious return. The same thing happened to Sirajgonj. A huge meeting was going on. Stopping the train was absolutely impossible but the innocent drivers became the victims. The total administration, government agencies and the BNP party men all were seriously negligent of the impending danger and after the incident they just started playing filthy blame games. They hardly consider the loss of national wealth and the families of the dead and wounded and the hapless drivers. Everybody concerned was responsible for the incident. In Rupgonj also no authority was careful and active. When everything went beyond control, everybody and every organization started shouting and sidetracking the responsibility. It means another serious mess. The images of burning Army temporary Camp or the burning of military vehicles or the embarrassment of the military have seriously mesmerized the army and civilians relations which we don’t expect. It is hard to heal the wound already made. But we must heal it not at the cost of hostility but through the tools of friendship.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program, PACE
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Nagoya Summit 2010
Nagoya biodiversity summit targets ecosystem preservation
The chain of natural disasters, climate change and food insecurity have made the inhabitants of this planet perplexed .These phenomena pose to be a grave concern for all of us. To save the biodiversity from extinction and to discuss how to stop environmental destruction and the loss of plants and animal species Japan played a leadership role hosting a summit last week in Nagoya, the central Japanese city. Senior ministers and government officials from more than 190 countries gathered there to discuss the crucial issues. Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity reached agreement on the adoption of a protocol for the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources such as plants from which big business develop drugs, cosmetic and other products. On the final day of the 12-day talks, Matsumoto Chairman of the meeting and Japanese environment minister presented his own proposal to try to break the deadlock after negotiations failed to reach agreement. The adoption of the protocol on access and benefit - sharing of genetic resources was described as a ' long-cherished dream’ by Matsumoto. We know that the Convention on Biological Diversity was born out of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, along with the United Nations climate change convention with three main objectives such as conserving biological diversity, using biological diversity in a sustainable way and sharing the benefits of genetic resources fairly and equitably.
This agreement the Nagoya Protocol is the second major global environment agreement the Japan has played a leadership role in brokering. The extended session of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP 10 also yielded an agreement on the so-called Aichi targets for ecosystem preservation. As a result, efforts to protect biodiversity will likely have a major impact on business around the world, similar to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates struck a deal on ecosystem preservation targets for the 2011-2020 periods, agreeing to set aside 17 percent of land and 10 percent of the sea for preserving biodiversity.
Finance is essential for addressing these challenges. It is learnt that the Global Environment Facility will spend $1.2 billion on biodiversity over the 2010-14 period, following its successful replenishment with 4.30 billion dollars The UK increased its contribution by 50% and the GEF has also established a new $250 million program for sustainable forest management which will deliver climate change and biodiversity benefits. We must reach agreement on a protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing ensuring fair and transparent access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from their use.
Environment ministers from almost 200 nations agreed late to adopt a new United Nations strategy that aims to stem the worst loss of life on earth since the demise of the dinosaurs. Frantic negotiations also saw the UN’s COP 10 biodiversity conference adopt a new treaty, the Nagoya Protocol, to manage the world’s genetic resources and share the multibillion- dollar benefits with developing nations and indigenous communities. Governments have been discussing this subject for 18 years, but it has been held up until now because it ran across issues of trade, health, traditional medicine and hence pitted multinational pharmaceuticals companies against indigenous communities. The Nagoya Protocol will see governments considering ways to provide recompense for genetic material and traditional medical knowledge collected in the past that is now being used, patented and sold. This is likely to be done through a special fund for developing nations that could be used for conservation or scientific research centers.
Without the adoption of the protocol on access and benefit sharing, termed an anti-bio-piracy protocol by activists, the Nagoya conference would not be considered a success, many participants commented. The European Union first demanded 20 percent of coastal and marine areas are protected by 2020 but later compromised, dropping to 15 percent while China insisted on 6 percent. The conference actually did not specify how much money would be provided to achieve its goals to save habitats and species. Instead governments agreed to draw up a funding plan, with sums, baselines and other details by 2012. The host country Japan has pledged $20 billion this week for biodiversity while the UK and France have earmarked smaller sums for related projects already mentioned in the third paragraph.
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International of course has said that the agreement reaffirms the fundamental need to conserve nature as the very foundation of our economy and our society. Governments have sent a strong message that protecting the health of the planet has a place in international politics and countries are ready to join forces to save life on Earth. The Nagoya Protocol is an historic achievement ensuring that the often immense value of genetic resources I more equally shared. Director General of WWF International welcomed the overall deal. This agreement reaffirms the fundamental need to conserve nature as the very foundation of our economy and our society. Government has sent a strong message that protecting the health of the planet has a place in international politics and countries are ready to join forces to save life on Earth. Other groups emphasized that implementation was the key. ‘Participants must be working to save life on this planet from November 1 morning with new efforts and vigour.’--- said IUCNs Director of Conservation Policy, Jane Smart. There is a momentum here which we can’t afford to lose in fact we have to build on it if we stand any change of success in halting the extinction crisis. In earlier reports the IUCN noted that a fifth of the world vertebrates are under threat and the die-off of all species is at the level not seen in 65 million years.
In order to achieve success it is essential that biodiversity, climate change, food security and poverty reduction should be tackled together. The Summit last month in New York, this meeting in Nagoya last week and Cancun next month provide us with a tremendous opportunity to address these interlinked challenges .We cannot but seize the opportunity to make this planet habitable for us and our friends- plants and animals.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program, PACE
( The writer regularly writes on various national, international, social and environmental issues)
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
The chain of natural disasters, climate change and food insecurity have made the inhabitants of this planet perplexed .These phenomena pose to be a grave concern for all of us. To save the biodiversity from extinction and to discuss how to stop environmental destruction and the loss of plants and animal species Japan played a leadership role hosting a summit last week in Nagoya, the central Japanese city. Senior ministers and government officials from more than 190 countries gathered there to discuss the crucial issues. Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity reached agreement on the adoption of a protocol for the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources such as plants from which big business develop drugs, cosmetic and other products. On the final day of the 12-day talks, Matsumoto Chairman of the meeting and Japanese environment minister presented his own proposal to try to break the deadlock after negotiations failed to reach agreement. The adoption of the protocol on access and benefit - sharing of genetic resources was described as a ' long-cherished dream’ by Matsumoto. We know that the Convention on Biological Diversity was born out of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, along with the United Nations climate change convention with three main objectives such as conserving biological diversity, using biological diversity in a sustainable way and sharing the benefits of genetic resources fairly and equitably.
This agreement the Nagoya Protocol is the second major global environment agreement the Japan has played a leadership role in brokering. The extended session of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP 10 also yielded an agreement on the so-called Aichi targets for ecosystem preservation. As a result, efforts to protect biodiversity will likely have a major impact on business around the world, similar to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates struck a deal on ecosystem preservation targets for the 2011-2020 periods, agreeing to set aside 17 percent of land and 10 percent of the sea for preserving biodiversity.
Finance is essential for addressing these challenges. It is learnt that the Global Environment Facility will spend $1.2 billion on biodiversity over the 2010-14 period, following its successful replenishment with 4.30 billion dollars The UK increased its contribution by 50% and the GEF has also established a new $250 million program for sustainable forest management which will deliver climate change and biodiversity benefits. We must reach agreement on a protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing ensuring fair and transparent access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from their use.
Environment ministers from almost 200 nations agreed late to adopt a new United Nations strategy that aims to stem the worst loss of life on earth since the demise of the dinosaurs. Frantic negotiations also saw the UN’s COP 10 biodiversity conference adopt a new treaty, the Nagoya Protocol, to manage the world’s genetic resources and share the multibillion- dollar benefits with developing nations and indigenous communities. Governments have been discussing this subject for 18 years, but it has been held up until now because it ran across issues of trade, health, traditional medicine and hence pitted multinational pharmaceuticals companies against indigenous communities. The Nagoya Protocol will see governments considering ways to provide recompense for genetic material and traditional medical knowledge collected in the past that is now being used, patented and sold. This is likely to be done through a special fund for developing nations that could be used for conservation or scientific research centers.
Without the adoption of the protocol on access and benefit sharing, termed an anti-bio-piracy protocol by activists, the Nagoya conference would not be considered a success, many participants commented. The European Union first demanded 20 percent of coastal and marine areas are protected by 2020 but later compromised, dropping to 15 percent while China insisted on 6 percent. The conference actually did not specify how much money would be provided to achieve its goals to save habitats and species. Instead governments agreed to draw up a funding plan, with sums, baselines and other details by 2012. The host country Japan has pledged $20 billion this week for biodiversity while the UK and France have earmarked smaller sums for related projects already mentioned in the third paragraph.
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International of course has said that the agreement reaffirms the fundamental need to conserve nature as the very foundation of our economy and our society. Governments have sent a strong message that protecting the health of the planet has a place in international politics and countries are ready to join forces to save life on Earth. The Nagoya Protocol is an historic achievement ensuring that the often immense value of genetic resources I more equally shared. Director General of WWF International welcomed the overall deal. This agreement reaffirms the fundamental need to conserve nature as the very foundation of our economy and our society. Government has sent a strong message that protecting the health of the planet has a place in international politics and countries are ready to join forces to save life on Earth. Other groups emphasized that implementation was the key. ‘Participants must be working to save life on this planet from November 1 morning with new efforts and vigour.’--- said IUCNs Director of Conservation Policy, Jane Smart. There is a momentum here which we can’t afford to lose in fact we have to build on it if we stand any change of success in halting the extinction crisis. In earlier reports the IUCN noted that a fifth of the world vertebrates are under threat and the die-off of all species is at the level not seen in 65 million years.
In order to achieve success it is essential that biodiversity, climate change, food security and poverty reduction should be tackled together. The Summit last month in New York, this meeting in Nagoya last week and Cancun next month provide us with a tremendous opportunity to address these interlinked challenges .We cannot but seize the opportunity to make this planet habitable for us and our friends- plants and animals.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program, PACE
( The writer regularly writes on various national, international, social and environmental issues)
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
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