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Observation of World Environment Day 2010 Southwest Coastal Zone located at the mouth of the World largest delta which provides a unique environmental feature in Bangladesh. The regional lands of the region are barely one meter above mean sea level with a large numbers of interconnected rivers, estuaries and natural environment. The world largest Mangrove forest is situated in the region which is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. In Sundarbans there are about 200 islands, separated by about 400 interconnected tidal rivers, creeks and canals. These rivers and water ways work as the blood circulation system in Mangrove Sundarbans as a whole. Although southwest coastal zone is regarded as a zone of multiple opportunities, it is also known as a zone of multiple vulnerabilities because of its dynamic geo-physical and hydrological settings. Unsustainable human development activities, conflict among resource users and natural disasters have further increased the management complexity in the region. According IPCC (2007), this region is one of the most vulnerable to Climate Change and its subsequent impact and it is already proved by the past destructive messages we found. Now, scarcity of freshwater resources for agriculture and food security, increased saline front towards lands, degradation of the natural resources (land, water, forest and biodiversity) and conflicts among agriculture and shrimp farming are also to be found as common problems in the said zone. Over-exploitation of the natural resources for the last few decades and absence of proper land use planning and management have also made this region more susceptible resource scarceness. Thus, human rights are flagrantly violated in this region we have ever found. To protect sensitive environment, human security and development in southwestern Bangladesh, it is vital to introduce long sustaining environment-friendly projects. Although many development projects have already been implemented by the IFIs agencies, they ignored the people’s choice for their own development strategies and choice. As a result all these development projects were failed to understand the real needs of the society. Moreover, most of the projects were just replication of the developed world’s projects. That’s why the implemented projects were not feasible under the local environmental condition of the southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh. Furthermore there was no accountability of the donor recommended projects and for their actions. This also harms the democratic process in policy formulation which was a basic error of earlier projects. For the peoples and environmental safeguard of southwest coastal zone, researchers, activists NGOs and civil society have been conducting peoples’ movements. Citizens' Manch for Conservation of the Coastal Environment (CMCCE) is a result of such human realization in southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh. From the very beginning, peoples’ mobilization for nature conservation, conducting advocacy for policy change have been conducting by the forum to raise community voice for enhancing environmental sustainability. CMCCE organized several events such as wetlands day, Mangrove day, etc. This common people forum is now gradually improving its status as a pioneer network in the region. In line with the forum activities, CMCCE plan to observe the World Environment Day 2010.

Observation of World Environment Day 2010

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Page 1: Observation of World Environment Day 2010

Observation of World Environment Day 2010 Southwest Coastal Zone located at the mouth of the World largest delta which provides a unique environmental feature in Bangladesh. The regional lands of the region are barely one meter above mean sea level with a large numbers of interconnected rivers, estuaries and natural environment. The world largest Mangrove forest is situated in the region which is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. In Sundarbans there are about 200 islands, separated by about 400 interconnected tidal rivers, creeks and canals. These rivers and water ways work as the blood circulation system in Mangrove Sundarbans as a whole. Although southwest coastal zone is regarded as a zone of multiple opportunities, it is also known as a zone of multiple vulnerabilities because of its dynamic geo-physical and hydrological settings. Unsustainable human development activities, conflict among resource users and natural disasters have further increased the management complexity in the region. According IPCC (2007), this region is one of the most vulnerable to Climate Change and its subsequent impact and it is already proved by the past destructive messages we found. Now, scarcity of freshwater resources for agriculture and food security, increased saline front towards lands, degradation of the natural resources (land, water, forest and biodiversity) and conflicts among agriculture and shrimp farming are also to be found as common problems in the said zone. Over-exploitation of the natural resources for the last few decades and absence of proper land use planning and management have also made this region more susceptible resource scarceness. Thus, human rights are flagrantly violated in this region we have ever found. To protect sensitive environment, human security and development in southwestern Bangladesh, it is vital to introduce long sustaining environment-friendly projects. Although many development projects have already been implemented by the IFIs agencies, they ignored the people’s choice for their own development strategies and choice. As a result all these development projects were failed to understand the real needs of the society. Moreover, most of the projects were just replication of the developed world’s projects. That’s why the implemented projects were not feasible under the local environmental condition of the southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh. Furthermore there was no accountability of the donor recommended projects and for their actions. This also harms the democratic process in policy formulation which was a basic error of earlier projects. For the peoples and environmental safeguard of southwest coastal zone, researchers, activists NGOs and civil society have been conducting peoples’ movements. Citizens' Manch for Conservation of the Coastal Environment (CMCCE) is a result of such human realization in southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh. From the very beginning, peoples’ mobilization for nature conservation, conducting advocacy for policy change have been conducting by the forum to raise community voice for enhancing environmental sustainability. CMCCE organized several events such as wetlands day, Mangrove day, etc. This common people forum is now gradually improving its status as a pioneer network in the region. In line with the forum activities, CMCCE plan to observe the World Environment Day 2010.

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As a part of continuous activities CMCCE plan to organize world environment day 2010 including local and national NGOs, civil society and professional organizations working on environment issues. With the cooperation and support of the large number of local, regional and national organizations CMCCE plan to observe the day including rally, exhibition, stalls, brochure, souvenir; video shows discussion and seminars/workshop and cultural function. Member organization: AOSED, BELA, Bhrab River Area Water Partnership, Humanity Watch, Durbar, IDF, IRV, LoCOS, LEADERS, Muktir Alo, NEEDS, NGO Forum for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Paribartan-khulna, PROGOTI, Pothikrit, Rupayan Ranner, SPS, Unnayan Onneshan-The Innovators. Goal: observing world environment day 2010 for strengthening network for conservation of coastal environment. Objectives: • Identify the environmental degradation issues in this region and raise the awareness of all stakeholders in respect

of the same.

• Crate mass awareness and strengthening peoples voice for conservation of the coastal environment

• Strengthen the linkage among GO/NGO/Civil Society actors and Academicians and facilitate their coordinate

initiatives.

Rationality: Though the World Environment Day is focused mainly on Environmental issues, activists and organizations share opinions on environment, ecology, natural resources, several seminars and workshops. In addition, various NGOs exhibit their promotion materials at the Fair. Major Activities:

1. Press Conference

2. Issue-based seminars/workshop

3. Cultural functions

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Description of Activities:

Press Conference:

A press conference was organized on the boat on Bhairab Rive on 4 June 2010. CMCCE member organizations, representatives from NGOs, Civil Society, students from University and College participated in the rally.

Issue-based seminars/workshop: 6-7 June, 2010

DAY 1, 6 June, 2010

Inaugural session:

An inaugural session was organized at 10.30 pm of June 6, 2010. Chief Guest of the session was Mr. Talukder Abdul Khaleq, Honourable Mayor, Khulna City Corporation, Khulna. As special guests Professor Majbha Kama, Dhaka University, Mr. Hydar Gazi Salauddin Runu, secretary general, Greater Khulna Development Straggle Coordination Committee, Khulna, Palash Baral, UBINIG were present. The session was chaired by Ad. Firoz Ahmed, prominent environmentalist, Khulna and Citizens Manch for Conservation of Coastal Environment (CMCCE)

Seminar on Conservation and Management of the Sundarbans and the Right of the Forest People; Problem and Rights

At 11.30 of the June 6, 2010 with the support of Refford Small Grant and Initiative for Right View (IRV), Citizens Manch for Conservation of Coastal Environment (CMCCE) organized a workshop in the first day of the program. The title of the workshop was “Conservation and Management of the Sundarbans and the Right of the Forest People; Problem and Rights”. Mr. Akbar Hossain, Conservator of Forest, Khulna Region Khulna. As special guests Professor Majbha Kama, Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Dilip Kumar Datta, Environment Science Discipline, Khulna, University, Khulna, Pavel partho, Environment researcher, BARCIK, Dhaka. The workshop was chaired by Ad. Abdullaha Hossain Batchchu, Chairman, Initiative for Right View (IRV).

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Biodiversity based agriculture for Reducing the Risk of the Climate Change

At 3.30 of the June 6, 2010 Beez Bistar Foundation and UBINIG organized a seminar on “Biodiversity based agriculture for Reducing the Risk of the Climate Change” Agriculturalist Mr. Makhonlal Das, deputy-director, Agricultural Extention Office, Khulna was present as the chief Guest. As special guests Ms. Jannat-A-Fedaus, Director(Advocacy), R.D.C, Sk. Asrafuzzaman, ex, secretary general, Greater Khulna Development Straggle Coordination Committee, Khulna and Ad. Nilufer Banu, Supreme Court, Dhaka were present. The meeting was chaired by Shamim Arfeen, Executive Director, AOSED. Responses to the changes in the Sundarbans

At 5.30 of the June 6, 2010 Unnayan Onneshen-The Innovators organized a seminar on “Responses to the changes in the Sundarbans”. As the panelist Ad. Habibur Rahaman, Executive Director, Ranner, Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, Divisional Coordinator, Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association, Khulna and Mahan Kumar Mandal, Executive Director, LEADERS were present. The seminar was chaired by Abu Hasan Bakul, Executive Director, Muktir Alo.

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DAY -2, 7 June, 2010

Seminar on Bhairab River and Sundarbans Ecosystem

At 11.00 of the June 7, 2010 with the support of Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP), Initiative for Right View (IRV) and Bhairab River Area Water Partnership organized a Seminar on “Bhairab River and Sundarbans Ecosystem” .Mr. Abdullaha, Managing Director, Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Khulna was present as the chief guest. As special guests Professor Mazharul Hannan, Professore Mejhba Kamal, Dhaka University, Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP), Ad. Nilufer Banu, Suprim Court,Ms. Zakia Akhtar, Executive Director, Banaful and Halima Islam, Councilor, Khulna, City Corpoaration, Khulna were present. The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Anawarul Karim, ex treasurer of Islamic University, Kustia.

Seminer on Sundarbans and a hidden issue Tiger Victims widows, need action now

At 3.00 of the June 6, 2010 LEADERS organized a seminar on "Sundarbans and a hidden issue Tiger Victims widows, need action now" As distinguish guests Ad. Sk. Abdul Aziz, former secretary of Khulna Advocates Bar association, Deb Prashad Sarkar, Executive Director, LoCAS, Ad. Taslima Khatun Sanda, and Sarbanu, widow who lost her husband by tiger attack were present. Seminar on Rights of water and biodiversity a seminar on Right to water and biodiversity

At 5.00 of the June 6, 2010 Initiative for Right View (IRV), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association and NGO Forum for Drinking Water and Sanitation organized a seminar on “Rights to water and biodiversity”. Engineer Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP) was present as chief guest. As especial guests Mr. Jahidur Rahman, Coordinator, Prodipan, and Debasis Roy, Student Aila affected areas. The seminar was chaired by Ad. Habibur Rahman, Executive Director, Runner.

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Closing session

In the last of the two day long program at 6.30 of the June 6, 2010 a closing session was organized. In the closing session Professor Dr. Nawser Ali, Vice Chancellor, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) were present as a chief guest. Among the especial guest Professor Dr. Anawarul Karim, ex treasurer of Islamic University, Kustia. The meeting was chaired by Ad. Firoz Ahmed, Convener, Citizens Manch for Conservation of Coastal Environment (CMCCE) Cultural Program

Two Cultural Teams Sudipti Sangstha of Satkhira district and Panguchi Theatre Centre of Bagerhat district presented issue-based cultural programs every day including the inaugural and the Closing session.

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF PRESS CONFERENCE AND BOAT RALLY (4TH JUNE 2010)

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE PROGRAM(6-7 June 2010)

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