Transcript Framework for Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

FRAMEWORK FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
IN BANGLADESH
Mohiuddin Ahmad
INTRODUCTION
Increasing population, competing use of
resources, vulnerabilities, lack of
opportunities, important ecological
hotspots, etc, call for sustainable
management of natural resources
PRINCIPLES
Sustainability is often perceived as a
governance issue. The main principles
include:
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integration through harmonization and
coordination;
adoption of a process approach;
co-management and participatory decision;
participatory monitoring and evaluation; and
interventions based on the best available
knowledge
GOAL
The goal of sustainable development is to
create conditions, where the reduction of
poverty and development of livelihoods
can take place on a continuous basis.
POLICY FRAMEWORK
NATIONAL POLICIES
The government has announced, over
the years, policies for carrying out
mandates in different sectors that
contribute to sustainable development.
Major policies are:
NATIONAL POLICIES
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Environment Policy and Implementation Plan (1992)
National Forestry Policy (1994)
National Fish Policy (1998)
National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation
(1998)
National Rural Development Policy (2001)
The National Policy for the Advancement of Women
(1998)
National Water Policy (1999)
National Agricultural Policy (1999)
National Land Use Policy (2001)
Draft Coastal Zone Policy (2004)
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
Several development objects are mentioned
explicitly or implicitly in various policy
documents and are invariably linked with
the goal of sustainable development:
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
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economic growth
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meeting basic needs and creating
livelihood opportunities
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reduction of vulnerabilities and
enhancement of coping capacities
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
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equitable distribution of resources and
economic benefits
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empowerment of communities
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women’s development and gender
equity
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conservation and enhancement of
ecologically critical areas
STRATEGIES
ADAPTATION TO DECLINING
NATURAL RESOURCES
The natural resource base is shrinking fast.
The challenge is to sustain the natural
resource base for the future by reducing
dependency on natural resources.
The challenge will be to create alternatives,
wise use of resources, restoration and
regeneration of declining resources and to
apply a control mechanism.
ADAPTATION TO DECLINING
NATURAL RESOURCES
Value addition to natural resources will be
emphasized. This will give higher return.
Continued economic growth is required for
poverty reduction. While utilization of natural
resources will continue, a shift has to be
made to non-farm sectors.
Economic growth is often in conflict with
sustainable development. The challenge is to
ensure rapid economic growth adhering to
conservation laws and regulations.
GROWING POPULATION
There is a need for allocating space for a
growing population, including the needs for
services in the direct environment.
Investment in human development has
higher rate of return. The challenge is to
create an enabling environment for
favorable social attitude and genderfriendly job opportunities.
DECENTRALIZATION
The need for local government involvement
is urgent because of its diverse
vulnerabilities. The challenge is to press
for higher allocation of resource
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
EDUCATION CURRICULUM
In the national curriculum for secondary
and
higher
secondary
education,
environmental science has been introduced
as a separate subject.
Separate departments/ faculties have been
established in almost all public and many
private universities on environmental
science and natural resources management.
AREA-BASED MANAGEMENT
Institute of Marine Sciences of Chittagong
University runs a course on Integrated
Coastal Zone Management, which contains
lessons on sustainable utilization of coastal
resources.
The Department of Geography of Chittagong
University introduced a Coastal Environment
Research Unit for research on sea level
changes and other coastal issues.
PUBLIC AWARENESS BY
NGOS
BRAC, Caritas Bangladesh, Proshika, etc.
have training program for grassroots
activists.
CDP, YPSA, CODEC, CNRS and BCAS run
resource centers and work on sustainable
development issues with focus on ecological
management.
PUBLIC AWARENESS BY
NGOS
Community Development Library (CDL) runs
27 documentation and resource centers in
the country. It also publishes books and
makes video documentaries for public
awareness.
THANKS