CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN COASTAL AREAS & OTHER SECTORS:

EXPERIENCES FROM THE SUNDARBAN

SIDE EVENT AT PARIS COP 21

DECEMBER 09, 2015

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CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN COASTAL AREAS & OTHER SECTORS: EXPERIENCES FROM THE SUNDARBAN

India Pavilion, Paris CoP 21 09 December 2015

Organized by: Bangladesh – India Sundarban Region Cooperation Initiative

Summary Report

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"Sundarbans may be in two countries but tigers know no boundary. This hotspot has to be

preserved together. We have already agreed that we will have a joint management plan to

preserve Sundarbans.” – Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change, Government of India

“We will try to work out how the climate vulnerability of the Sundarban can be raised on a

global platform jointly and much more strongly." – Mr Anwar Hossain Manju, Minister for

Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh

Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister, MoEF&CC, India and Mr Anwar Hossain Manju, Minister,

MoEF, Bangladesh

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Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 5

2 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 PREPARATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.3 INVITATIONS FOR THE SIDE EVENT .............................................................................................................. 8

3 THE SIDE EVENT .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

3.1 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN COASTAL AREAS & OTHER SECTORS: EXPERIENCES FROM THE SUNDARBAN ................................................................................................................................................. 8

3.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REMARKS BY DISTINGUISHED CHIEF GUEST, SPECIAL GUEST AND PANELISTS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.3 PARTICIPANTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 12

3.4 DISPLAY OF POSTERS AND FILMS ................................................................................................................. 14

4 THE WAY AHEAD ........................................................................................................................................................... 15

5 ANNEXURES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16

5.1 LIST OF DISPLAY MATERIAL ........................................................................................................................... 16

5.2 FINAL PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................................... 17

5.3 PRESENTATION BY DR RAVI SINGH, WWF-INDIA ................................................................................. 18

5.4 MEDIA COVERAGE ................................................................................................................................................ 21

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1 INTRODUCTION

Bonds of culture, a shared history and a common ecosystem, as well as neighborly proximity, and

social and economic ties between Bangladesh and India are major building blocks for enhanced

cooperation between the two countries. Rapid growth in both countries and increasing levels of

economic sophistication in India now present opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation.

Although some progress has been made, the two countries present one of the least integrated parts

in the world with regard to policy, trade, and infrastructure. This lack of integration directly affects

economic development and hampers management of shared natural resources, such as forests and

cross-boundary river basins.

The shared Sundarban Region, comprising Sundarban Reserve Forests and Sundarban Impact Zone

(SIZ) in Bangladesh and Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in India, presents a strong opportunity for

strategic cooperation and joint actions between Bangladesh and India, resulting in simultaneous

poverty reduction and sustainable ecosystem management. It houses a total population of about 7.5

million (nearly 5 million in India, about 2.5 million in SIZ, Bangladesh) and suffers from several and

similar dimensions of poverty in both the countries. The average per capita income in Indian part is

about USD 0.5 per day while the corresponding figure for the Bangladesh part is about USD 0.9 per

day. Common factors highlighting this extreme poverty include poor health conditions, relatively

low education levels, limited employment opportunities with far more limited enterprise,

inadequate water supply and sanitation, absence of electricity in many places, difficult and

primarily river-based transport, and very high risk of persistent cyclones, floods and embankment

failures. Close to 92% of the population in the Sundarban Region (99.6% in Bangladesh, 83% in

India) was exposed to one or more disaster events during the period 2000 – 2010. Given that each

country’s portion of this Region is essentially part of the same ecosystem, it would be better

managed if both countries developed a co-management policy aimed at conservation and

development, or at least collaborated together to adopt a coordinated policy that could be

implemented by each country individually.

2 BACKGROUND

The World Bank, as part of its South Asia Water Initiative, has planned a special focus on

encouraging and facilitating joint, sustainable development of the shared Sundarban landscape with

stress on realizing economic growth and enhancing climate resilience. This includes providing

financial support and facilitating the creation of the Bangladesh – India Sundarban Region

Cooperation Initiative (BISRCI) – a ‘knowledge-based advocacy initiative’ to enable and support

increased and effective bilateral cooperation in the Sundarban Region. Partners in this initiative

include: EnGIO, Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses, International Water Association, Observer

Research Foundation, Policy Research Institute, World Bank, and WWF-India. Through this joint

knowledge network, BISRCI aims to focus on (i) evidence-based advocacy to key stakeholders in

government, strategic and diplomatic community, media, and civil society in Bangladesh and India

on integrated management of the Sundarban Region; (ii) raising the global profile of Sundarban

Region as a key test for meeting climate change challenges; (iii) promoting mutual community-

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oriented economic growth through creating evidence and advocacy on issues such as eco-tourism,

sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management; and (iv) supporting and facilitating creation of

a joint mechanism that spearheads bilateral cooperation in the Sundarban Region.

During the BISRCI Meeting at New Delhi from 18-19 August 2015, it was decided to explore the

possibility of organizing a Side Event at the Paris CoP 21 to push the Sundarban agenda at the

global level, and more importantly, to seek to bring together key policymakers from Bangladesh

and India on a common platform to chart the way towards joint management of this Region. An

opportunity opened up when the Government of India (GOI) sought proposals to organise events at

its India Pavilion at Paris CoP 21. On behalf of BISRCI, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

(MOEF&CC) suggesting the organisation of a Side Event titled “Means of Implementation Support

to Enhance Effectiveness and Benefits of Adaptation Activities: Experiences from the

Sundarban Region”. From among 60 proposals received by MOEF&CC, it selected about 20

proposals to organise the Events. While giving formal approval to ORF’s proposal, MOEF&CC asked

its agency, Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), to formally host the Event. Thus,

the title was revised to “Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Areas and other Sectors:

Entrance to the India Pavilion, Paris CoP 21

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Experience from the Sundarban Region” to also incorporate the adaptation work being

undertaken in coastal regions of India, mostly from Gujarat and West Bengal. Based on the

availability of senior policymakers from Bangladesh and India, the Event was scheduled for 09

December 2015.

2.1 OBJECTIVES

The objective of the Side

Event was to inform and

influence the global

climate change community

on the importance of the

Sundarban Region in

achieving the climate

change adaptation agenda.

The expected outcome was

to build a case for seeking

implementation support

(finance and technology)

for the Sundarban Region

under the Green Climate

Fund post-2020 as the

single largest contiguous

adaptation site in the

world.

The proposed event was

expected to contribute

towards (i) informing the global community about the initiatives of the Governments of India

regarding the conservation and sustainable development in Sundarban; (ii) raising the profile of the

Sundarban Region as to the most important geography regarding the global adaptation agenda; and

(iii) proposing the Sundarban Region as possibly the largest global adaptation site with mitigation

co-benefits under the Green Climate Fund post-2020, besides reiterating call for action.

2.2 PREPARATIONS

Representatives of BISRCI (ORF, IWA and IDSA) participated in a number of meetings with senior

officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), MOEF&CC and SICOM to discuss the format

participation and content of the proposed Side Event. IWA representatives met the Indian Minister

in Delhi and briefed him about the proposed side event and also confirmed an invitation sent to the

Bangladesh Minister by his counterpart in India.

ORF representatives also met officials of Bangladesh High Commission in India to brief them about

the planned Side Event at Paris CoP and requested their support for the initiative. Besides, Indian

Embassy in Paris was also informed about the meeting and its cooperation was sought towards

success of the Side Event.

(L – R) Mr J M Mauskar, Member, Prime Minister Council on Climate

Change, India and Mr Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MOEF&CC, India

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At the meetings members of ORF, IWA and IDSA emphasised the importance of participation of the

Environment Ministers from Bangladesh and India in the Event. It was stressed that a joint

statement by them would provide the much needed impetus on Sundarban cooperation. The team

also elaborated on how the Sundarban could showcase joint, sustainable development for climate

resilience within the context of the 2011 Bangladesh-India MoU on Sundarban cooperation. The

larger objective of the BISRCI project to create and sustain a Joint Platform on Sundarban,

comprising decision-makers representing government and non-government bodies in Bangladesh

and India, was also presented to the various stakeholders from MOEF&CC and MEA.

Meetings with key stakeholders prior to the COP Side Event

Meeting With BISRCI Team Minister of MOEF&CC, GOI IWA Minister, MOEF, Government of Bangladesh PRI Office of the Minister, MOEF&CC, GOI IWA & ORF Secretary, MOEF&CC, GOI ORF Secretary, MOFA, Government of Bangladesh IWA DG, South Asia Desk, MOFA, Government of Bangladesh IWA Additional Secretary, MOEF&CC, GOI ORF Jt. Sec, MOEF&CC, GOI (multiple meetings) ORF & IDSA Indian High Commission in Paris ORF Briefing to Ministry of External Affairs, GOI ORF & IDSA COP negotiating team/officials, Government of Bangladesh IDSA & ORF Indian High Commission in Bangladesh ORF Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi ORF Nodal Agency-SICOM (multiple meetings) ORF & IDSA

2.3 INVITATIONS FOR THE SIDE EVENT

Formal invitations for this Event were extended to policymakers from Bangladesh and India; civil

society organizations; journalists from Bangladesh, India and international media organizations

who were likely to attend Paris CoP 21 deliberations; think tanks; and relevant key contacts of

BISRCI members. Invitations to the side event were also sent to participants of all side events at

CoP 21 as well as to thousands of names in bulk climate mailing lists such as Climate-I and Climate

L. The attempt was to ensure presence of key officials from Bangladesh and India, journalists who

would provide media coverage to inform a wider audience, select officials and negotiators from

developed countries, and key influencers from the civil society organizations.

3 THE SIDE EVENT

3.1 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN COASTAL AREAS & OTHER SECTORS: EXPERIENCES FROM THE SUNDARBAN

After Mr Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MOEF&CC welcomed the members of the audience and the

experts, the Side Event began with presentation and film show by the SICOM team highlighting

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their work in sustainable growth in India’s coastal areas. Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister,

MOEF&CC, GOI, Chief Guest of the event on the Sundarban arrived with the Special Guest Mr Anwar

Hossain Manju, Minister, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of Bangladesh at the

venue at about soon after. Both the Ministers shared their views on Sundarban and the need for

bilateral cooperation to conserve the rich biodiversity, meet the climate change challenges, and to

ensure sustainable and climate-resilient development for its communities. They also took questions

from the audience and media persons; their responses and comments further highlighted their

commitment to bilateral cooperation on Sundarban.

After the departure of the two Ministers, a panel discussion was held focusing on the Sundarban

Region and the need for seeking international resources to fully meet the adaptation requirements

of the local population numbering over 12 million. The speakers included experts from Bangladesh

and India representing the government, civil society, think tanks and international organizations

(See Section 5.2 on Page 17 for Side Event Program).

(L – R) Dr Uttam Sinha, Fellow, IDSA; Dr Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF-India; Prof A Nishat,

Bangladesh; Dr G Pangare, IWA; Mr J M Mauskar, Member, Prime Minister Council on

Climate Change, India; and Amb Pinak R Chakravarty, ORF

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3.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REMARKS BY DISTINGUISHED CHIEF GUEST, SPECIAL GUEST AND PANELISTS

Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister, MOEF&CC, GOI

In his remarks, the Minister announced that India and Bangladesh had agreed to have a joint

management plan to preserve the Sundarban and that he would meet the Chief Minister of West

Bengal and discuss plans for joint management of Sundarban. "The subcontinent, especially

Sundarban, shares tigers as well as impact of climate change. We human make so many divides, but

it is the tigers who know no boundaries," said Mr Prakash Javadekar, India's Environment Minister

while talking to the journalists at the Event. He further added, “Within two months we will sit along

with my colleague, chief minister of West Bengal to work out the joint management plan on

Sundarban”.

(L – R) Minister from EU Country; Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Minister, MOEF&CC, India; and Mr.

Anwar Hossain Manju, Minister, MOEF, Bangladesh

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Mr Anwar Hossain Manju, Minister, MOEF, Government of Bangladesh

The Minister said that the joint plan to protect Sundarban from climate change was a vital initiative

and that Bangladesh would support it wholeheartedly. He further added that the two countries

needed to work on how the climate vulnerability of the Sundarban could be raised on the global

platform jointly and more strongly. "The joint plan to protect the Sunderbans from climate change

is an important initiative," said Mr Manju, while talking to the media.

Ambassador Pinak R Chakravarty, Distinguished Fellow, ORF

Ambassador Chakravarty opened the panel discussion with the remarks that the unique geographic

construct of Sundarban which gave two thirds of the ecosystem to Bangladesh and one third to

India made cooperation more of a necessity rather than an option.

Dr Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF India

Dr Ravi Singh emphasised the ecological heritage of the region and pointed out that it was not only

among the largest contiguous mangrove patches in the world but also the most bio-diverse.

He said that there were physical and economic limits to adaptation and that a cooperative approach

would be beneficial to both nations. It would enable them to jointly deal with occupational and

physical displacement of people on account of climate change impacts such as loss of land and

salinization.

Members of the audience

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Prof Ainun Nishat, Former Vice Chancellor, BRAC University, Bangladesh

Prof Nishat said that there were a number of opportunities for the two countries to work together

in areas such as eco-tourism and salinity management. He pointed out that there was so much that

Bangladesh could learn from the Indian experience in ecotourism.

Dr Ganesh Pangare, Regional Director (Asia-Pacific), International Water Association

Referring to India’s emphasis on climate justice Dr Pangare said that cooperation on Sundarban had

great potential to showcase equitable sharing of responsibilities towards adaption. He also pointed

out that conservation of the Sundarban would contribute to mitigation as it was a large carbon sink.

Mr J M Mauskar, Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (India)

Favouring joint management of Sundarban, Mr Mauskar observed that the past could not be a guide

to the future and that it was time to think differently about the future. He said that the Sundarban

initiative could be a beginning of a cooperative adaptation effort between neighbours.

Dr Uttam K Sinha, Fellow, Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses

Talking about the geostrategic importance of Sundarban and the impact of climate change, Dr Sinha

said that it was time to re-imagine strategic thinking. He observed that making an exception for

ecological boundaries over geographic boundaries in the case of the Sundarban would make

strategic sense for the two nations.

Mr Neelesh P Kulkarni, Dialogue Advisor, International Water Association

Mr Kulkarni called for follow up action on the Ministers’ observations and thanked the panellists

and the audience.

3.3 PARTICIPANTS

In a room that could seat about 60 participants, the number of those present nearly exceeded a

hundred. Participants included delegates from diverse countries, officials from Bangladesh and

India, journalists, members of the civil society, and key influencers. A list of key participants is

provided below.

Indian Central/ State/Govt. Institutions:

1. Mr Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MOEF&CC

2. Mr Sanjiv Kumar, Joint Secretary, MOEF&CC

3. Prof R Ramesh, Director, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai

4. Ms Rajasree Ray, Head, Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Finance, GOI

5. Dr Himmat Singh Negi, Inspector General, National Tiger Conservation Authority, MOEF&CC

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6. Ms Barnali Biswas, Project Director, Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland

Management, Government of West Bengal

7. Dr Shailesh Nayak, Former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, GOI

8. Mr Hardik S. Shah, Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board

9. Dr P C Maithani, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Participants from the International Community:

10. Dr Martin Grambow, Head, Water Management Department, Bavarian Ministry of

Environment and Public Health, Bavaria

11. Ms Ulrike Scharf, State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, Bavaria,

Germany

12. Dr Ida Roland Birkvald, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

Ms Ulrike Scharf, State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, Bavaria, Germany

and Dr Uttam Sinha, Fellow, Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses

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13. Dr Engr. Jnan Ranjan Sil, MD, Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, MoEF

14. Mr Jean-François Di Meglio, President, Asia Center, France

Journalists:

15. Dr Joydeep Gupta, The Third Pole Network

16. Mr Golam Iftakhar Mahamud, Sr. Reporter, The Daily Prothom Alo

17. Mr Banani Mallick, Staff Correspondent, Daily Observer

18. Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, Sr. Staff Reporter, Dhaka Tribune

19. Mr Jayanta Basu, EnGiO

20. Mr Masudul Hoque, UNB

Key influencers:

21. Dr Anurabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment & Water

22. Dr V. Subramanian, Indian Wind Energy Association

3.4 DISPLAY OF POSTERS AND FILMS

A set of posters and a short film produced BISRCI was submitted to the MOEF&CC for display at the

exhibition venue outside the hall. The display was managed by a private firm engaged by the

MOEF&CC. The posters and the films were shown on a loop mixed with other images on adaptation

in coastal areas.

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4 THE WAY AHEAD With the two Environment Ministers from Bangladesh and India making a public commitment to

cooperate on the Sundarban Region, the next key step is to follow up with the government

ministries and agencies to help develop the framework for such cooperation. Opportunities will

need to be created and/or leveraged to have the two Ministers meet again, along with the Chief

Minister of West Bengal, to take this commitment forward in a meaningful manner.

BISRCI members in Bangladesh and India will continue to produce evidence and research findings

that will help the two governments develop a more informed framework of cooperation as well as

form a robust Joint Platform on Sundarban. Feedback from key stakeholders has indicated a

preference for an independent Platform with participation by both government and non-

government entities. It is hoped that BISRCI will contribute both towards the development and

operationalization of this Platform in the near future.

View of the India Pavilion, Paris CoP 21

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5 ANNEXURES

5.1 LIST OF DISPLAY MATERIAL

S. No. Category Title Description

1. Film Sundarbans Future Imperfect

A video prepared by WWF-India on climate change impact on lives and livelihoods of people.

2. Film Climate Witness Climate change impact documentary on Sundarbans.

3. Poster Sundarbans Landscape Showcasing the existing scenario in Sundarbans, and also highlighting the threats, responses and possible future actions to promote sustainable development in the region.

4. Poster The sea is rising, Sundarbans in danger

Rising sea levels pose extreme danger in Sundarbans

5. Poster Aila and Sidrs are becoming frequent in Sundarbans

Danger of cyclonic storms

6. Poster Migration becomes routine in Sundarbans

Rising human migration

7. Poster Losing shelters to rising rivers is part of the daily life in Sundarbans

Dangers of rising sea level and tidal waves

8. Poster Mangroves destruction spells disaster

Man-made destruction of mangroves maximises vulnerability for people living in Sundarbans and its influence zone

9. Poster Livelihood challenges with climate change

Livelihood challenges intensify with climate change inflicted weather extremes

10. Poster Iconic Royal Bengal tigers have turned prey to changing climate

Impact of changing climate on tigers

11. Photograph Embankment breach Breach of embankment is a major issue in Sundarbans

12. Photograph Crop damage Crops damaged due to ingress of saline water from sea

13. Photograph Tiger - 1 A tiger standing among vegetation in Sundarbans

14. Photograph Tiger - 2 Tiger walking away in Sundarbans

15. Photograph Tiger - 3 Tiger entering the estuary waters

16. Photograph Tiger - 4 Tiger standing among thick vegetation of Sundarbans

17. Photograph Lives at risk Extreme weather event putting lives and livelihoods in risk

18. Photograph Families at risk due to climate change

Impact of climate change and families being displaced

19. Photograph Deteriorating embankments

Poor quality of embankment is a cause of concern

20. Photograph Rising sea level Rising sea level and communities in risk

21. Photograph Tidal inundation Poor quality embankments being overtopped during high tide

22. Collage of visuals

Sundarbans Biodiversity A collage of visuals showcasing the different types of biodiversity found in Sundarbans; the resultant collage depicts a tiger’s face.

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5.2 FINAL PROGRAM

COP-21 Side Event Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Areas& Other Sectors

Experiences from the Sundarban December 09, 2015 (11 AM to 1 PM)

India Pavilion, Le Bourget, Paris

Program

1-10th Min Statement by Chief Guest Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India

10-20th Min Statement by Special Guest Mr Anwar Hossain Manju, Minister, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of Bangladesh

PANEL DISCUSSION ON ADAPTATION IN THE SUNDARBAN

20-23rd Min Welcome Remarks by Moderator Amb Pinak R Chakravarty, Distinguished Fellow, ORF

23-28th Min Ecological, Heritage and Ecosystem Wealth of the Sundarban Region

Dr Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India

28-33th Min

Scale and Challenges of Adaptation Needs in the Sundarban Region:

Assessing Loss and Damages

Prof Ainun Nishat, former VC, BRAC University, Bangladesh

33-38th Min Developing proposal for Seeking Means of Implementation Support towards

Adaptation

Dr Ganesh Pangare, Regional Director (Asia-Pacific), International Water Association

38-43th Min

Observations on Adaptation Funding Shri J M Mauskar, Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change, Government of India

43-48th Min Observations on Cooperation in Eco-system Management

Dr Uttam K Sinha, Fellow, Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses, India

48-49th Min Summary Remarks Amb Pinak R Chakravarty, Distinguished Fellow, ORF

49-50th Min Vote of thanks Mr Neelesh P Kulkarni, Dialogue Advisor, International Water Association

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5.3 PRESENTATION BY DR RAVI SINGH, WWF-INDIA

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20

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5.4 MEDIA COVERAGE

Sundarban steals

the show at Paris

COP 21 meet

The Daily Observer, 10th

December 2015

BD, India move to protect the mangrove forest

It is the humans who make boundaries,

but tigers know no boundaries, both

environment ministers from Indian and

Bangladeshi made this statement at COP

21 meeting on Wednesday.

"The subcontinent, especially Sundarban,

shares tigers as well as impact of climate

change. We human make so many

divides, but it is the tigers who know no

boundaries," he said at a meeting jointly

organized by Bangladesh and India for

the survival of Sundarban at the UN

climate summit in Paris.

Within two months we will sit along with

my colleague, chief minister of West

Bengal to work out the joint management

plan on Sundarban - Prakash Javadekar,

India's Environment Minister said while

talking to the journalists.

Talking to the Daily Observer Prakash

Javadekar said "Sundarbans may be in

two countries but tigers know no

boundary ? this hotspot has to be

preserved together. We have already

agreed that we will have a joint

management plan to preserve

Sundarbans. Within two months we will

sit along with my colleague, chief

minister of West Bengal, to work out the

joint management plan on Sundarbans".

Apart from official meet the global civil

society organizations have also raised

the issue of Sundarbans's climate

vulnerability in Paris in context to issue

of loss and damage.

See More

1

http://www.observerbd.com/2015/12/10/125354.php

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India and Bangladesh today used the UN

climate change conference here to pitch

for joint action to protect the Sunderbans,

a natural heritage site shared by the two

nations and considered highly vulnerable

to the impact of global warming.

This is the first time the two countries

have joined to discuss the survival of the

region, home to 13 million people and the

Royal Bengal Tiger, among other species

of wildlife. Scientists believe the

occupants of the region are among

populations under imminent threat from

the impacts of climate change.

India and Bangladesh's environment

ministers and Bengal chief minister

Mamata Banerjee are expected to meet

within two months to discuss the

Sunderbans.

"The Sunderbans may be in two countries

but tigers know no boundary. This

hotspot has to be preserved together,"

said India's environment minister Prakash

Javadekar.

"We have already agreed to have a joint

management plan to preserve the

Sundarbans. In two months, we will sit

along with my colleague, the chief

minister of Bengal, to work out the joint

management plan."

The India pavilion at the climate change

conference hosted a meeting on the

Sunderbans, supported by a consortium

of civil society organisations from India

and Bangladesh.

"The joint plan to protect the Sunderbans

from climate change is an important

initiative," said Anwar Hossain Manju, the

Bangladesh environment minister.

See more

Joint fight for Sunderbans

The Telegraph, 9th December 2015

A joint push for the Sunderbans is also likely to create a high degree of climate adaptation strategies

2

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151210/jsp/nation/story_57652.jsp#.VnU3D7Z97s2

23

Bangladesh, India to

jointly conserve

Sundarbans

Dhaka Tribune, 10 December 2015

Sundarbans in Bangladesh and India, are among the populations most vulnerable to changing climate.

India and Bangladesh today used the UN

climate change conference here to pitch

for joint action to protect the

Sunderbans, a natural heritage site

shared by the two nations and

considered highly vulnerable to the

impact of global warming.

This is the first time the two countries

have joined to discuss the survival of

the region, home to 13 million people

and the Royal Bengal Tiger, among

other species of wildlife. Scientists

believe the occupants of the region are

among populations under imminent

threat from the impacts of climate

change.

India and Bangladesh's environment

ministers and Bengal chief minister

Mamata Banerjee are expected to meet

within two months to discuss the

Sunderbans.

"The Sunderbans may be in two

countries but tigers know no boundary.

This hotspot has to be preserved

together," said India's environment

minister Prakash Javadekar.

"We have already agreed to have a joint

management plan to preserve the

Sundarbans. In two months, we will sit

along with my colleague, the chief

minister of Bengal, to work out the joint

management plan."

The India pavilion at the climate change

conference hosted a meeting on the

Sunderbans, supported by a consortium

of civil society organisations from India

and Bangladesh.

"The joint plan to protect the

Sunderbans from climate change is an

important initiative," said Anwar Hossain

Manju, the Bangladesh environment

minister.

See more

3

http://www.dhakatribune.com/environment/2015/dec/10/bangladesh-india-jointly-conserve-sundarbans

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প্যারিসে বাাংলাসেশ ও ভািসেি প্রিসবশমন্ত্রীি ঘ াষণা

েুই ঘেশ রমসল বা বাাঁচাই

4 েুন্দিবসেি ঘবঙ্গল টাইগাি িক্ষায় ঘ ৌথ অঙ্গীকাি কসিসে বাাংলাসেশ ও ভািে। প্যারিসেি রবশ্ব জলবায় ুেসেলসেি েভায় গেকাল বধুবাি এই অঙ্গীকাি কিা হয়। কপ্-২১ েসেলেসকসে ভািেীয় প্যারভরলয়সে অেুরিে ওই েভায় বাাংলাসেসশি প্রিসবশ ও বেমন্ত্রী আসোয়াি ঘহাসেে এবাং ভািসেি ঘকেীয় প্রিসবশমন্ত্রী প্রকাশ জাসবেকাি এক েুসি বা িক্ষাি ঘ ৌথ ঘ াষণা ঘেে। ভািে ও বাাংলাসেসশি উপ্কূলীয় অঞ্চল বযবস্থাপ্ো রেসয় েভাটি অেুরিে হসলও এি প্ুসিা অাংশজসুেই রেল েুন্দিবে ও ঘবঙ্গল টাইগাি িক্ষাি রবষয়টি। জলবায়ু প্রিবেত সেি কািসণ রবপ্ন্ন এ েইু ঘেসশি উপ্কূসলি মােুসষি জীবে-জীরবকাি মসো বাস ি জীবে িক্ষায়ও েইু ঘেসশি রবসশষজ্ঞ ও োগরিক োংগঠেগুসলাি প্ক্ষ ঘথসক োরব জাোসো হয় েভায়। রবশ্ববযাাংসকি অথতায়সে প্রিচারলে ভািে-বাাংলাসেশ েুন্দিবে িক্ষা প্রকসেি আওোয় েভাটি অেুরিে হয়। েভায় ভািসেি প্রিসবশমন্ত্রী জাসবেকাি বসলে, ‘েুন্দিবে ভািে ও বাাংলাসেশ েইু ঘেসশই িসয়সে। মােুসষি মসো বসেও েীমাো িসয়সে, রকন্তু বাস ি জেয ঘকাসো েীমাো ঘবাঁসধ ঘেওয়া ঘেই। এই বা াসে েইু ঘেসশই ভাসলামসো রবচিণ কিসে প্াসি, ঘে জেয আমিা েইু ঘেশ একসে কাজ কিব।’ ভািেীয় প্রিসবশমন্ত্রী আিও বসলে, ‘আরম ঘেসশ রিসি রগসয় প্রিমবসঙ্গি মখু্যমন্ত্রী মমো বযাোরজত ি েসঙ্গ কথা বলব। াসে বাাংলাসেসশি মন্ত্রী ও বে রবভাসগি েসঙ্গ রেরে েুন্দিবে ও বা িক্ষায় দ্রুে ববঠক কসিে, উসেযাগ ঘেে।’ েভায় বাাংলাসেসশি প্রিসবশ ও বেমন্ত্রী আসোয়াি ঘহাসেে মঞ্জ ুবসলে, ‘আমিা েইু ঘেশ েুন্দিবে ও বা িক্ষায় ঘ উসেযাগ শুরু কসিরে, ো অবযাহে থাকসব। োমসেি রেেগুসলাসে বা িক্ষায় েইু ঘেশ আিও েেুে েেুে উসেযাগ ঘেসব।’

See more

http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/708334/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%98-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87

25

5 Joint Sunderbans tiger

census aims at accuracy

The Times of India 13 December 2015

The Indo-Bangla bilateral

effort to conserve the

Sunderbans, one of the

most backward regions in

the state.

The Indo-Bangla bilateral effort to

conserve the Sunderbans, one of the most

backward regions in the state, has

received a shot in the arm. The ball started

rolling on Thursday after Union

environment minister Prakash Javdekar

and Bangladesh's environment minister

Mansoor Anwar held a joint press

conference at Paris climate summit.

According to souces, the initial steps are

likely to be centered around issues like

joint tiger census, tiger habitat and

tourism. While both the countries took up

a joint tiger census project earlier this

year, experts claimed that different time

period and separate methodology for tiger

census have resulted in inaccurate figures.

Once the initial blueprint is in place, both

the countries are likely to approach the

World Bank for funds.

World Bank funded civil society

consortium 'Bangadesh-India Sundarbans

Region Cooperation Initiative' (BISRCI),

which comprises organisations like WWF,

ORF and IUCN Bangladesh, has already

placed initial roadmaps before the

authorities. There are proposals to

reconstitute the Sundarban Biosphere

Reserve (SBR) as a 'Biosphere District' with

'scheduled area' status. The 'Biosphere

District' should impose restriction on

outsiders from acquiring land and

obtaining permanent residences in the

area. This would promote control over

population growth through immigration,

constrict the land market as well as

provide impetus on improving community facilities and infrastructures.

See more

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Joint-Sunderbans-tiger-census-aims-at-accuracy/articleshow/50156697.cms

26

আর ত ো ত োথোও

যোওয়োর তেই ১ রিসেম্বি, ২০১৫, ০০:৫৫:১৮

প্যারিসে শুরু হসয়সে জলবায়ু প্রিবেত ে রেসয় আন্তজত ারেক েসেলে। েুন্দিবসেি কথা ঘকউ ভাবসবে রক? অথচ, ‘েবসচসয় রবপ্ন্ন দ্বীপ্গুরল’ি ঘথসকও ঘবরশ রবপ্ন্ন ঘেখ্ােকাি প্রায় ঘেে ঘকাটি মােুষ।

6 প্যা রিে রক রবশ্বসক জলবায় ুপ্রিবেত সেি হাে ঘথসক বাাঁচাি প্থ ঘেখ্াসব? ো রক, রবপ্লু অথত এবাং আিও রবপ্লু েময় বযয় কসি প্রৃথবীি ভরবষযত্ঘক আিও অরেিয়োি গ্রাসে ঘঠসল রেসয় মহােসেলে ঘেসি ঘেসশ রিসি াসবে মন্ত্রী-োরন্ত্রিা? েকত রবেসকত উত্তাল প্ৃরথবী। রকন্তু এই েব েসকত ি আোসল রকাংবা োি গভীসি আসে েরুেয়াি োো অঞ্চসলি বহু অেহায় মােুসষি রবপ্সেি রবিাট আশঙ্কা, ঘ রবপ্ে এসকবাসি াসে রেশ্বাে ঘিলসে। ঘ মে আমাসেি সিি প্াসশি েুন্দিবে, বাাংলাসেশ ও প্রিমবঙ্গ রমসল প্রায় ২৬০০০ বগত রকসলারমটাি জসুে অেেয জীবববরচসেি প্াশাপ্ারশ ঘ খ্াসে প্রায় এক ঘকাটি রেশ লক্ষ মােুসষি বাে, জলবায়ু প্রিবেত সেি রবপ্জ্জেক প্রিণাম ঘথসক বাাঁচাি জেয াাঁিা অেম লোই কসি চসলসেে। ঘচাসখ্ ভােসে ঘগাোবা ব্লসকি ঘোোগা গ্রাসমি ঘোট্ট রশশুটিি েরব, াসক প্ররে রেে ঘজায়াসিি েময় োাঁোি ঘকসট গ্রাসমি আলপ্সথ উঠসে হয়। ২০০৯ োসল আয়লায় েেীবাাঁধ ভাঙাি প্ি রশশুটিি প্রিবাি আিও অসেসকি েসঙ্গ প্াসয়ি েলাি জরম আি মাথাি উপ্সি োে হারিসয়রেসলে। প্সি েেুে বাাঁধ হসয়সে, রকন্তু চিম োরিদ্র ঘবশ রকেু প্রিবািসক ঠাাঁইবেল কিসে ঘেয়রে, োই োাঁসেি বাে এখ্ে েেীবাাঁসধি বাইসি, আক্ষরিক অসথতই েেীি ঘকাসল। ‘ভয় কসি ো? মসে হয় ো, বে ঘকােও ঝে বা ঘজায়াি এসল ঘভসে ঘ সে প্ারি?’ প্রসেি উত্তসি এক গাল ঘহসে েরুণী বধ ূবলসলে, ‘ভয় কসি কী কিব? আমাসেি ঘো আি ঘকাথাও াওয়াি উপ্ায় ঘেই।’ এটা ঠিক ঘ জলবায়ু প্রিবেত সেি ধাক্কায় ক্রমশ কঠিেেি হসয় ওঠা জীরবকাি লোই

27

7 BD, India vow to save

Sundarbans

UNB, 10 December 2015

Bangladesh also pressed demands for easy access to climate funds and royalty-free technology transfer.

Bangladesh and India have agreed to work

together in saving the Sundarbans, the

world’s largest mangrove forest and the

main habitat for endangered Royal Bengal

Tigers, from climate change.

The two neighbouring nations came to the

agreement during the bilateral minister-

level talks on the sidelines of COP-21

conference in Paris on Wednesday

morning.

Environment and Forests Minister Anwar

Hossain Manju and Indian Minister of State

for Environment, Forest and Climate

Change Prakash Javadekar vowed to help

each other in protecting biodiversity of the

Sundarbans.

The mangrove forest spread out between

both Bangladesh and India with its

majority belonging to Bangladesh.

During the talks, the ministers said the

Sundarbans is highly vulnerable to the

climate change. The forest, its flora and

fauna, and other resources must be

protected through bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh parliamentary

delegation held talks with the

representatives of the European Union and

Nordic countries.

See more

http://www.unb.com.bd/paris-cop-21

28

8 India, Bangladesh jointly

working to preserve

Sunderbans: Prakash

Javadekar

Business Standard, 9 December

2015

India and Bangladesh are working

together to come out with a plan

for the joint management of

ecosystems to preserve Sunderbans, the world's largest

mangrove forest which is facing

threat from rising sea level and

climate change.

India and Bangladesh are working together

to come out with a plan for the joint

management of ecosystems to preserve

Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove

forest which is facing threat from rising

sea level and climate change. ”Bangladesh

and India are working on a joint

management of the ecosystem in

Sundarbans to preserve it and make it a

better place. A joint management plan will

soon be operationalised,” Environment

Minister Prakash Javadekar today said

during one of the sessions at the Indian

pavilion which was also attended by

Bangladesh Environment Minister Mansoor

Anwar.

Anwar also appreciated the bilateral

cooperation between India and Bangladesh

especially with respect to the shared

mangroves of Sundarbans.

Javaekar also released ‘India State of

Forest Report 2015 and a booklet on ‘Low

Carbon Lifestyle’. ”The increase in the

carbon stock is an assurance to the

negotiators at COP 21 that India remains

committed to increase the carbon sink.

This is also in line with our INDC targets

that envisages creation of additional

carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of

CO2,” he said. The Report which was

earlier released in India is the 14th in the

series and is based on interpretation of

LISS III sensor data of indigenous Resource

satellite.

See more

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-b-desh-jointly-working-to-preserve-sunderbans-javadekar-115121000067_1.html

29

9 India and Bangladesh are working together

to come out with a plan for the joint

management of ecosystems to preserve

Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove

forest which is facing threat from rising

sea level and climate change. ”Bangladesh

and India are working on a joint

management of the ecosystem in

Sundarbans to preserve it and make it a

better place. A joint management plan will

soon be operationalised,” Environment

Minister Prakash Javadekar today said

during one of the sessions at the Indian

pavilion which was also attended by

Bangladesh Environment Minister Mansoor

Anwar.

Anwar also appreciated the bilateral

cooperation between India and Bangladesh

especially with respect to the shared

mangroves of Sundarbans.

Javaekar also released ‘India State of

Forest Report 2015 and a booklet on ‘Low

Carbon Lifestyle’. ”The increase in the

carbon stock is an assurance to the

negotiators at COP 21 that India remains

committed to increase the carbon sink.

This is also in line with our INDC targets

that envisages creation of additional

carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of

CO2,” he said. The Report which was

earlier released in India is the 14th in the

series and is based on interpretation of

LISS III sensor data of indigenous Resource

satellite.

See more

India, B’desh jointly

working to preserve

Sunderbans: Javadekar

India Today, December 9, 2015

India and Bangladesh are

working together to come out

with a plan for the joint

management of ecosystems to

preserve Sunderbans, the worlds

largest mangrove forest which is

facing threat from rising sea level

and climate change.

"Bangladesh and India are

working on a joint management of

the ecosystem in Sundarbans to

preserve it and make it a better

place. A joint management plan will

soon be operationalised,"

Environment Minister Prakash

Javadekar today said during one of

the sessions at the Indian pavilion

which was also attended by

Bangladesh Environment Minister

Mansoor Anwar.

Ads by ZINC

Anwar also appreciated the bilateral

cooperation between India and

Bangladesh especially with respect

to the shared mangroves of

Sundarbans.

http://www.india.com/news/india/india-bangladesh-jointly-working-to-preserve-sunderbans-prakash-javadekar-772762/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/people/prakash-javadekar/19461.htmlhttp://indiatoday.intoday.in/people/prakash-javadekar/19461.html

30

10 On the sidelines of the Paris Climate

Summit, Bangladesh and Indian

delegations held a meeting to take

forward a joint initiative to protect the

Sundarbans.

The meeting was held on Wednesday, at

the COP21 venue, Indian pavilion. The

delegations were led by Bangladesh

Minister of Forests and Environmental

Affairs Anwar Hossain Manju, and his

Indian counterpart Prakash Javadekar.

While the world scrambles for an

environment deal to reduce emissions and

hold global temperature rise to below 2

degrees, Bangladesh and Indian ministers

sat together to further the Sundrban

regional cooperation initiative.

The largest mangroves in the world

straddling both the South Asian neighbors

is a diverse and delicate ecosystem that

the SRCI envisions will be managed jointly

in the basis of research and evidence.

Besides national organizations, the

initiative will also call upon the

cooperation of international bodies.

According to highest body on environment

and climate change, the world would have

to agree to reduce carbon dioxide

emissions by 90% of 1990 levels within

2050 to prevent irreversible climate

change and hold global warming within 2

degrees Centigrade.

It is said that global temperature has risen

by 0.8 degrees Centigrade since the

industrial revolution.

According to numerous assessments

Bangladesh risks losing up to a fifth of its

coastal areas with a one-metre rise in sea

level which is considered likely due to one

degree rise in temperature.

This would trigger between 20 and 30

million climate refugees from those low

lying areas.

See more

COP21: Bangladesh-India

holds joint talks on

Sundarbans

The Daily Ittefaq, December 9, 2015

On the sidelines of the Paris

Climate Summit, Bangladesh and

Indian delegations held a meeting

to take forward a joint initiative to

protect the Sundarbans.

http://www.clickittefaq.com/sci-tech/cop21-bangladesh-india-holds-joint-talks-on-sundarbans/https://facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-bdesh-jointly-working-to-preserve-sunderbansjavadekar/1/543095.htmlhttps://facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-bdesh-jointly-working-to-preserve-sunderbansjavadekar/1/543095.html

31

On the sidelines of the Paris Climate

Summit, Bangladesh and Indian

delegations held a meeting to take

forward a joint initiative to protect the

Sundarbans.

The meeting was held on Wednesday, at

the COP21 venue, Indian pavilion. The

delegations were led by Bangladesh

Minister of Forests and Environmental

Affairs Anwar Hossain Manju, and his

Indian counterpart Prakash Javadekar.

While the world scrambles for an

environment deal to reduce emissions and

hold global temperature rise to below 2

degrees, Bangladesh and Indian ministers

sat together to further the Sundrban

regional cooperation initiative.

The largest mangroves in the world

straddling both the South Asian neighbors

is a diverse and delicate ecosystem that

the SRCI envisions will be managed jointly

in the basis of research and evidence.

Besides national organizations, the

initiative will also call upon the

cooperation of international bodies.

According to highest body on environment

and climate change, the world would have

to agree to reduce carbon dioxide

emissions by 90% of 1990 levels within

2050 to prevent irreversible climate

change and hold global warming within 2

degrees Centigrade.

It is said that global temperature has risen

by 0.8 degrees Centigrade since the

industrial revolution.

According to numerous assessments

Bangladesh risks losing up to a fifth of its

coastal areas with a one-metre rise in sea

level which is considered likely due to one

degree rise in temperature.

This would trigger between 20 and 30

million climate refugees from those low

lying areas.

See more

COP21: Bangladesh-India

holds joint talks on

Sundarbans

newsbangladesh.com

December10, 2015

On the sidelines of the Paris

Climate Summit, Bangladesh and

Indian delegations held a meeting

to take forward a joint initiative to

protect the Sundarbans.

"Bangladesh and India are working

on a joint management of the

ecosystem in Sundarbans to preserve

it and make it a better place. A joint

management plan will soon be

operationalised," Environment

Minister Prakash Javadekar today said

during one of the sessions at the

Indian pavilion which was also

attended by Bangladesh Environment

Minister Mansoor Anwar.

Ads by ZINC

Anwar also appreciated the bilateral

cooperation between India and

Bangladesh especially with respect to

the shared mangroves of Sundarbans.

Javaekar also released India State of

11

http://www.newsbangladesh.com/english/Bangladesh-India-holds-joint-talks-on-Sundarbans/9559http://indiatoday.intoday.in/people/prakash-javadekar/19461.html