Different non-government and volunteer organizations in Bhola and Satkhira districts Tuesday formed separate human chains, demanding declaration of 12 November as “Coast Day”
They made the demand for the progress and protection of climate-threatened people in coastal areas as well as commemoration of the victims of the catastrophic floods and cyclones of 1970s.
In Bhola, Youth Power in Bangladesh and Coast Foundation jointly formed human chain in the morning on Bhola Press Club premises and organized a discussion meeting in support of their demand.
With Alhaj Shawkat Hossain, editor of Daily Ajker Bhola, in the chair, journalist Shahriar Jhelan conducted the meeting.
The speakers demanded declaration of November 12 as ‘Coast Day’ for ensuring climate justice and protection of the interests of coastal people.
They said the population of the coastal area is making a big contribution to the national economy. Despite this, nearly 50 million coastal people are at extreme risk, which is increasing day by day due to adverse climate change, they added.
“If the coast day is announced, the importance of the coast will increase in various areas including the government, development aid organizations and the media.”
In Satkhira, human chain was formed at 11am in front of Shyamnagar Press Club here in the district by voluntary organization Sundarbans Students’ Solidarity Team, Sabuj Saghati, Upazila Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee and private research institute Barsik in Shyamnagar of the district demanding declaration of Coast Day on November 12.
The speakers said importance of the coastal area is very high in the country’s economic development, safe food, biodiversity and environmental protection, but it is not given importance accordingly.
They also said ‘November 12’ should be recognized as ‘Coast Day’ to ensure the justice for the coastal people as one third of the country is surrounded by the coast.
