To combat the adverse impacts of climate change, mitigate natural disaster hazards, and foster environmental awareness, the Lama upazila unit of Bashundhara Shuvosangho organised a discussion in Bandarban on Wednesday afternoon.
Titled "Actionable Measures to Combat the Impacts of Climate Change", the meeting took place in Lama municipality, focusing on escalating challenges such as floods, landslides, droughts, heatwaves, and erratic rainfall.
Speakers observed that climate change is no longer a distant threat; it directly undermines everyday livelihoods, agriculture, and biodiversity.
They noted seasonal shifts, prolonged droughts, and flash floods across Bangladesh, while drawing parallels with neighbouring Nepal, where heavy rainfall triggers devastating landslides and glacial lake outburst floods due to deforestation, unplanned hill settlements, and poor drainage.
In hill tracts like Bandarban, speakers emphasised stopping illegal hill cutting, identifying vulnerable settlements on slopes, protecting natural forest canopies, and disseminating early warning alerts.
They urged rural communities to practise rainwater harvesting, curb plastic waste, protect waterbodies, and transition to renewable energy.
Participants also underscored that tree plantation campaigns must be coupled with regular post-care, while disaster response plans must prioritise children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The discussion placed strong emphasis on youth-led social movements to champion green practices, waste management, and volunteerism.
The session was attended by Bashundhara Shuvosangho Lama upazila unit Adviser Md Monirul Islam Tuhin, President Md Shahidul Islam, Vice-Presidents Md Iran and Yasin Mamun, Organising Secretary Md Elias Uddin, Social Welfare Secretary Imrul Kayes Robin, and members Md Nasir Uddin, Md Miskat, Md Hasan, Wahidul Islam, Aminur Rahman Rokon, and Usai Wang Marma.