ZCZC
BSS-04
NATURAL-RESOURCES (with picture)
Natural resource conservation vital for healthy environment
RAJSHAHI, Nov 27, 2018 (BSS) – Conservation of natural resources has
become an urgent task for addressing the adverse impacts of climate change
which is being adjudged as a major threat to the region in the present
context.
Talking to BSS here separately, environmental scientists and researchers
viewed there is no way but to conserve the natural resource in the region
particularly the vast Barind tract to face the adverse impact of climate
change.
Prof Redwanur Rahman of Institute of Environmental Sciences in Rajshahi
University (RU) said large number of water-bodies have become derelict due to
the adverse impact of climate change posing a serious threat to ecosystem
with living and livelihood condition of the people.
He said there are a lot of beels and ponds in Barind area and if those
had been re-excavated properly, all the farming lands could have been brought
under irrigation with conserved water round the year.
He stressed the need for re-excavating the derelict water-bodies and
wetlands for conservation of surface water to maintain ecological balance in
the region.
Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan of Geology and Mining Department of RU said
there were many indigenous paddy varieties which required less or no
irrigation. But, the eco-friendly varieties are now on the verge of
extinction.
He stated that the rain-fed transplanted Aman paddy has now become
totally depended on irrigation that triggers huge pressure on underground
water table.
Time has come to build wider network beyond the higher education
institutions and creating platform for open dialogue to initiate regional
research programmes on regional problems and solution.
Importance should be given to capacity building to address climate
change in the region with special reference to conservation of drought
tolerant species.
Prof Bidhan Chandra Das of Department of Zoology of RU referred to
evidence-based method to support natural resource conservation in the dried
area and its prospects and challenges.
Besides, Prof Das viewed that Bangladesh as well as other developing
countries needs more academics and experts to have better training and clear
understanding on conserving natural resources.
Obviously, we have to devise ways and means on how to cope with the
adverse impact of climate change. Integrated approach has become an urgent
need to mitigate the adverse impact.
“More field level research on global warming and integrated crop
management and problems and mitigation should be promoted in the region,” he
opined.
BSS/AH/SA/ 1150 HRS