Civil Society Urges Special Steps for Climate Victims

Staff Correspondent: Climate 2025-08-22, 2:08pm

Reception and sapling distribution meeting organised in honour of Upakulbandhu Mostafa Nuruzzaman on behalf of forest-dependent people living along the Sundarbans coast at Harinagar Bonoshree Shikkha Niketan auditorium in Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira on Thursday

Civil society representatives have urged for taking special initiatives to support marginalised communities affected by climate change. The call was made at a reception and sapling distribution event organised in honour of Upakulbandhu Mostafa Nuruzzaman on behalf of forest-dependent people living along the Sundarbans coast.
The event held at Harinagar Bonoshree Shikkha Niketan auditorium in Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira on Thursday highlighted the need for awareness, self-employment opportunities for the poor, and conservation of the Sundarbans. The function was presided over by Mahamuda Begum, president of the CMC executive committee, and conducted by Shahina Parvin, deputy director of NGO Shushilan.
Among others, the function was also addressed by Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Runi Khatun, Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Coordinator Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, Bonoshree School headteacher Md Abdul Karim, Shushilan deputy chief Md Nasiruddin Faruk, Satkhira People’s Forum president Md Abdur Rashid, and forest dwellers including Juli Begum, Ponchi Rani, Kalpana Rani Bishwas, and Abu Farid.
Speaking at the function, UNO Runi Khatun stressed that marginalised people must be made partners in development through adaptation. “Together under Upakulbandhu’s leadership, we pledged to protect our soil, water, and forests. This initiative has shown how women’s leadership, youth participation, and community unity can bring major change,” she said.
Receiving the honour, Mostafa Nuruzzaman expressed gratitude to the forest people and said Shushilan has been working for their rights and socio-economic uplift. The NGO has so far created mangrove plantations on 1,000 hectares of land and carried out afforestation along 100 km of roads, winning three national awards.
Journalist Nikhil Chandra Bhadra urged the government and NGOs to take joint action to address climate-induced disasters. He warned that adverse effects of climate change are devastating the Sundarbans and coastal ecosystems, forcing many traditional forest-dependent communities to abandon their livelihoods. He called for alternative employment opportunities, public awareness, and efforts to keep rivers, canals, and wetlands free from encroachment and pollution.