Md. Shahidul Islam from Barind region
You are telling lie regarding the change in climate and we do not believe you now. There are numbers of projects implemented to solve our climate change related problems but we are still in the verge of problems. The water crisis has become acute day by day and our crops get damage due to scorching heat. You the rich countries have made many promises to reduce the carbon emissions but you still lead a luxuries life and livelihood causing the rapid change of the climate. You the huge carbon emitter countries also have not compensated the poor countries for your reckless responsibilities in emitting carbon.’
The statements above belonged to hundreds of people from all walks in the Barid region of Bangladesh. They made the statement in an event called ‘Water hearing’ arranged by BARCIK on 21 September. The peopled called on the authorities concerned to solve the ongoing water crisis in Barind reigon.
The hearing was jointly organized by Barind Area Youth Organization Forum and BARCIK at the indigenous Primary School to mark the Global Climate Action Week-2022. Women, children, farmers who participated in the event showed different placards bearing different messages related to their problems. The messages of the placards include: ‘Stop carbon emission’, ‘We are not responsible for climate change’, ‘Our elders are telling lie, ‘No fossil Fuel, ‘Take right step, ‘Stop emission, save the earth’ etc. The people also shared their ordeal as the water crisis has become severe in the areas for unethical extraction of ground water and climate change.
While expressing his demand Albiqus Hembrom (48) said, ‘Many of us got sick and were hospitalized due to water crisis and drought. He added that they could not cultivate their lands as there was no water, and had to borrow for a living.
Anguri Begum (38) of Piranpukur mentioned that three of her goat died recently due to severe drought and lack of water. Sujola Mardi (40) of Mission para said, ‘One of my cattle died due to heat wave in this season and some of my livestock got sick as well due to lack of water.’ Award-wining farmer Nur Mohammad said local government should take effective steps to solve their water related problems permanently.
On the other hand, writer, researcher and director of BARCIK said, ‘Those who have been suffering are not responsible for the rapid change of climate. But they have counted huge loss due to the change in the climate.’