Press release (Netrakona)
The youth of Netrakona region have demanded to form a global climate fund to protect the haor (wetlands). They made this demand at the ‘Haor Youth Climate Conference’ jointly organized by BARCIK, a non-governmental development research organization, and Netrakona Sammilit Yuva Samaj, a coalition of 38 youth organizations, on Thursday (October 26).
The climate conference was at the foothills of the Meghalaya Hills in Chandradinga, a border village severely affected by hill sand intrusion in the Rangchati Union of Kalmakanda under Netrakona District. Climate affected farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous communities, youths and other professional people participating in the conference narrated about the loss and damaged they experienced due to climate induced disasters and urged to compensate them. A “Prakriti-Bandhan (solidarity with nature)” is held standing on the ruined land by the hilly sand with festoons contained with various slogans to protect the livelihood, ecosystems and culture of Haor.
Diverse agricultural crops, endangered food, climate tolerant indigenous rice varieties from the wetlands, hills and plainlands were also displayed in the conference. In addition, to discussions, traditional cultural performances of songs, dramas, dances and Dhamail of the Haor area were included in the event. The people of different ages and professions of Haor areas jointly inaugurated this conference.
Participating in the conference as guests the speakers said that due to climate change, flashflood and erratic rainfall have increased and due to these factors, the invasion of landslides has also increased. Hoar people are not responsible to climate change, but they are victims of this. They said that it is the global leaders of the rich and developed countries who are responsible for climate change. They have promised to create a global climate fund, but have repeatedly ignored their promise. People of the haor areas demanded that the global climate fund needs to be formed at the upcoming Dubai Climate Conference. The loss and damage issues of Hoar wetland area should be taken into account while forming such fund. This fund should also be allocated to Hoar areas so that they can combat the adverse impact and effect of climate change.
However, eminent poet and Netrakona Additional District Commissioner Mr. Bipin Biswas, Upazila Youth Officer, History and Culture Writer Ali Ahmad Khan Ayyub, UP Member, Writer and Researcher Pavel Partha, Anthropologist Syed Ali Biswas, Dam Protection Committee President Sunil Mrong, Climate and Urban Researcher Zahangir Alam, Writer and BARCIK’s Regional Coordinator Ohidur Rahman, Social Worker Shongkar Mrong, Cultural activist Md. Alamgir, Farmer Manorama Azim spoke as special guests at Haor Youth Climate Conference. Earlier convener of Netrakona Sammilita Jubo Samaj Partha Pratim Sarkar delivered the opening speech and youth organizer Roni Khan conducted the discussion and cultural program. Syed Priyam of Madan Youth Organization, Jiban Hajong of Chandradinga Youth Organization, Tamanna Begum of Haor Youth Organization, Trishna Mazumdar, Farmer Motaleb Mia, Kalmakanda Youth Coordinator Palash Mia and others presented their climate issues and demands. Environmental honors were awarded among fourteen people for their contribution in the conservation of Haor’s nature and culture.
It is to mention that Haor region (wetlands) is abundant with rice, fish and natural resources. This hoar is now damaged by flash flood and landslides every year due to climate change. The climate induced disaster flash flood brings hill sand from the upstream of the Meghalaya hills. Acres of agricultural lands have been affected due to these sands and farmers could not produce crop in these lands due to the presence of sands which affects the country’s national economy as well. At the same time climate change is having an adverse effect on Hoar. The youth of Haor have strongly demanded to allocate global climate fund to protect Haor in this ‘Haor Youth Climate Conference 2023’. They also demanded to stop unplanned mining and deforestation in the Meghalaya hills.