Vision 2021 Bangladesh Environment and Climate Resilient Sustainable Development - 25 February 2010 - UNDP Bangladesh
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Bangladesh Environment
and Climate Resilient
Sustainable Development
Vision 2021
25 February 2010
Bangladesh Environment
and Climate Resilient
Sustainable Development
Vision 2021
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment & Forests
25 February 2010
Contents Context and trends 1 The vision 3 General targets for 2021 3 Policy actions 4 Regional sustainable development visions 14 Priority enabling measures during 2010-2014 17 Priority actions for 2010 17 Targets and indicators 19 References 22
Context and Trends
Sustainable development aims to meet present human no urgent action to halt population growth, the farm land
needs while maintaining the environment such that the that would be left after accommodating increasing non-farm
ability of future generations to meet their needs is not needs would have to be some 2.5 times more productive
compromised. It recognises and addresses the interactions to maintain per capita food security. Thus to keep up with
over time between people (society and economy) and population growth and the need to reduce poverty in
environment. While this concept has drawn attention the short term, agriculture will have to grow at an annual
internationally since the early 1990s, now is the opportune rate of 4.0-4.5% (GOB 2008). Despite the proven ability
time to adopt this paradigm if we wish to be on the path to to raise productivity in the past, in the future this could
a healthy environment and economy by the 50th anniversary only be achieved through ever more intensive agriculture
of Bangladesh. dependent on biotechnology, genetic engineering and loss
of biodiversity in farm land and wetlands. Moreover, in the
Bangladesh has achieved notable development successes in longer term attempts to achieve these levels of sustained
recent decades, with average life expectancy increasing to production gains are unlikely to succeed considering the
65 years, economic growth sustained at about 6% a year, additional constraints imposed by declining ground water
GDP increased to US$ 433 per person, and the percentage levels and climate change.
of people living in poverty reduced to 40% by 2005. These
trends are likely to continue in the next decade, but are not Already the environment is under severe and increasing
sustainable. stresses:
The momentum of past global economic development Wetlands and rivers are dying, a considerable part of
has left a legacy of irreversible climate change which will floodplain wetlands including 4.5 million ha of floodplain
continue for decades and the consequences of which must have been drained and degraded, siltation and flooding
now be faced by present and future generations. In the same are growing problems, and native fishes are in decline with
way, without a significant shift in the national development 30% of freshwater fish species threatened (IUCN 2000).
path the environmental costs of this path will place
serious constraints on the future wellbeing of the citizens Ground water levels are falling by 0.5 to 1 m/year in parts
of Bangladesh. Despite reducing the population growth of the central and north-western regions (Shamsudduha
rate to 1.4% by 2006, present estimates and the National et al. 2009).
Population Policy expect only to achieve a stable population
About 25% of the population is exposed to arsenic levels
by about 2070 when there would be around 230 million
exceeding Bangladesh standards (0.05 mg/l) (WARPO,
people (about 1,600 per km2).
2000).
About 1% of crop land is lost each year to other land uses.
Although 17% of Bangladesh is considered forest land
Even without climate change, an annual rice deficit of 4.7
and 10% is controlled by Forest Department, natural tree
million tonnes is predicted by 2030 (Ministry of Environment
cover is much reduced, for example UNEP using 1992/3
and Forest 2005). If the present development path
satellite images found apparently non-degraded forest on
continues, the productivity of land that remains in cultivation
6.4% of land.
will need to increase by about 35% by 2021 to maintain
the current level of food security. But by 2070 if there is Most large fauna are threatened with extinction or
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 1
already nationally extinct: out of 120 mammal species biodiversity, and adverse air quality (indoors and outside)
27 are globally threatened and of these 7 are nationally that is injurious to health and the environment.
extirpated; out of 650 bird species 33 are globally
threatened and of these 9 are nationally extirpated; out Electrification, rapid industrial development, increasing
of 154 reptile species 22 are globally threatened; and car ownership, and conversion to natural gas all result
out of 402 fish species at least 6 are globally threatened in energy demand (including gas demand) rising faster
(Siddiqui et al. 2008; but status assessments for fish are than economic growth at about 10% a year. But national
incomplete). gas reserves are projected to be exhausted by 2021.
Although Bangladesh’s CO2 emissions are currently only
Poor coordination and planning of infrastructure results in 0.2% of global emissions (Ministry of Environment and
a very high density of rural roads and drainage congestion. Forest 2009) and per capita energy consumption and
CO2 emissions are very low, they are set to rise by about
Migration to towns and cities, driven by limited rural 4.5 times by 2021.
economic opportunities and hazards such as erosion
and pulled by industrialisation, has raised problems of Bangladesh is the most vulnerable nation to cyclones and
overcrowding and slum development. sixth most vulnerable to floods (UNDP 2004).
Unsustainable urbanisation results in traffic congestion, Climate change is predicted to raise average sea level
untreated effluent, poor sewerage provisions, 90% of by around 18-79 cm during this century (Ministry of
Dhaka’s waterbodies being filled in, waterlogging, and a Environment and Forest 2009), an increase in the middle
growing risk of widespread building collapse in earthquakes. of this range would subject to more regular inundation
Dhaka’s population grew tenfold between 1961 and 2001. 10.9% of the country and adversely impact the lives
Dhaka was recently rated by WWF the Asian mega-city and livelihoods of 5.5 million people who will become
most vulnerable to climate change impacts. environmental refugees.
By 2020 it is predicted that 85% of Dhaka’s roads will be In summary the costs of following the same “business
congested, with 60% of the road network having average as usual” path will be uninhabitable cities, environmental
speeds below 5 km/h, and emission levels of road traffic degradation and irreversible decisions which will
pollutants will be about five times their 2002 levels (Alam seriously constrain and harm the quality of life of future
and Habib 2003). generations. It has been estimated that just some of the
main environmental impacts and constraints already result
Railways account for only 4% of passenger and freight in economic losses of over 4% of GDP (World Bank
traffic, and water transport for 8-16% of traffic, despite 2006), and these losses are likely to grow at least as fast
resulting in lower pollution and land take than roads. as economic growth. If all of the negative environmental
impacts of business as usual growth were valued, it is
Pollution is having an increasing impact on human
likely that these would cancel out traditional measures of
and ecosystem health and livelihoods: 22% of disease
economic growth
(respiratory and diarrhoeal disease) is reported to be due
to environmental factors notably urban air pollution, and The issue addressed by this vision is how to ensure that
poor water quality (World Bank 2006). the nation can modify its economic growth path so that it
is environmentally sustainable and resilient to the trends
40-49% of total energy comes from renewable sources
resulting from global climate change. This vision is founded in
but this is largely biomass (fuelwood, crop residues,
the belief that there are opportunities to build sustainability
and dung) which is overexploited and has significant
into growth in the immediate future and that this is essential
opportunity costs in terms of loss of soil fertility and
in the face of external and internal driving pressures.
2 Sustainable Development Vision 2021The Vision
By 2021 the livelihoods of the nation’s population will be self-sustaining through
development that ensures a healthy environment and the welfare of future generations.
The livelihoods and wellbeing, in the widest senses, of all approaches required; examples of regional applications of
citizens will have improved, and the gap between rich and the vision; and a set of steps to be taken up in the next year
poor will have narrowed. This includes meeting the needs of to enable and fast track the changes necessary.
a growing population.
This vision is broadly consistent with existing key Bangladesh
To achieve this vision a set of general targets are proposed. policies, strategies and commitments, in particular to the
Each of these is overarching – its achievement will depend Millennium Development Goals (MDG). For example the
on cooperation among all citizens enabled by a series of poverty target 1 is in fact MDG 1, and Bangladesh is already
changes in policy and practice. Achievement will be assessed expected to meet this target as it has been made a major
through more specific sub-targets and priority steps. The overall policy objective. The challenge is to achieve all the
next section sets out the general targets, and is then MDGs including poverty eradication, and then maintain long-
followed by: a brief summary of the rationale and policy term those achievements, through sustainable development.
General Targets for 2021
1. Governance: sustainability is the first priority in all aquatic life; also dry season groundwater levels do not
development decisions. fall below 2005 levels.
2. Eradicate extreme poverty and with no more than 8. Pollution: national air and water quality standards are
29% of the population below the upper poverty line by met at point emission sources and throughout urban
2015, while achieving national food security. areas and water courses.
3. Minimise population growth, with replacement fertility 9. Forests: tree cover is achieved on 20% of the land
achieved by 2012. surface, and ecologically healthy native forests are
4. Cities are sustainable and more efficient, with restored and protected in all public forest lands (about
development following appropriate structure plans. 16% of land).
5. Villages: the quality of life for the bottom 50% of 10. Biodiversity: no new extinctions, and national
rural people of all regions has improved by their own populations of globally and nationally threatened species
definitions and assessments. are enhanced.
6. Agriculture: conversion of agricultural land is minimised 11. Energy demands of development are met through a
and production growth for food security achieved with low carbon strategy subject to availability of funds and
no increase in total irrigation water or agro-chemical use. appropriate technologies.
7. Water and wetlands: wetlands (including jalmohals and 12. Hazards: potential economic losses (particularly from
rivers) hold water throughout their official extent in the floods, drought and salinity) are reduced from current
dry season, have sufficient flows, and support diverse levels.
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 3Policy Actions
In this section the key policy actions needed to address general targets. The following table summarises existing
each general target are outlined, along with some more policies and highlights any need for change along with the
specific sub-targets that can be used by the many concerned main responsible ministries.
government agencies as a basis for operationalizing the 12
Theme Summary of policy status and needs Ministries/bodies to take action
Governance The framework should be set in the Constitution: sustainability Lead: Prime Minister’s Office
can be formally recognised by adding as a basic human right All Ministries for harmonising policies
the right to a safe, healthy environment. The priority need is
to ensure greater accountability in implementing policies.
Extreme poverty Appropriate policy (PRSP-II) being implemented, but when Lead: Ministry of Planning/ Planning
revised and extended needs to explicitly incorporate sustain- Commission
able development principles. All Ministries for incorporating sustain-
ability
Population Population policy 2004 needs revision to target a lower more Lead: Ministry of Health and Family
sustainable stable population through renewed emphasis on Welfare
immediately achieving replacement fertility.
Urban No specific policy although various plans for Dhaka. A new Lead: Ministry of Local Government and
Villages land use and planning policy could cover urban and rural areas, Rural Development (with revised/new
including decentralising urban growth, under local government. agency for Dhaka)
Agriculture National Agriculture Policy 1999 promotes “environmentally Lead: Ministry of Agriculture
friendly sustainable agriculture” but implementation needs Ministry of Water Resources
strengthening. Emphasis on expanding irrigation needs revision
to optimising returns from scarce dry season water.
Water and wet- National Water Policy promotes sustainability of wetland No clear lead, jointly involves:
lands functions and community participation, implementation needs Ministry of Water Resources
strengthening. In fisheries gaps between current jalmohal Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
leasing policy and fisheries strategy need resolving in favour of Ministry of Land
environment.
Pollution No specific policy, covered partially in policies such as agricul- Lead: Ministry of Environment and
ture, water, and in instruments under Department of Environ- Forests
ment. Need to consolidate air and water quality assurance in a Ministry of Finance/Finance Division for
new policy and supporting instruments, such as a “clean water supporting taxes and subsidies
act”.
Forests National Forest Policy 1994 focuses on social forestry and Lead: Ministry of Environment and
20% of the nation being under tree cover by 2015, implemen- Forests
tation needs strengthening. Policy needs revising to enable co- Ministry of Hill Tracts Affairs
management and ecosystem sustainability in all reserve forests.
4 Sustainable Development Vision 2021Theme Summary of policy status and needs Ministries/bodies to take action
Biodiversity National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2004, generally Lead: Ministry of Environment and
consistent with vision, but implementation is limited. Forests
Energy Renewable Energy Policy 2008 already sets incentives for Joint leads: Power and Energy and Min-
expanding renewable sources of energy, needs to be comple- eral Resources Divisions
mented by wider policy that also promotes energy conserva-
tion.
Hazards Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009, implementa- No clear lead, crosscutting issue involv-
tion starting. Otherwise focus has been disaster management ing almost all ministries
which needs revision to link into wider development planning
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 51 Governance Suggested amendments to The Constitution of the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
The key to this vision is a fundamental change towards
good environmental governance. There are already a Part II
large number of policy initiatives and strategies that are
Amendment to clause 15 Provision of basic necessities.
supportive of sustainable development in Bangladesh. These
include sectoral policies such as the National Conservation It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State
Strategy 1992, National Water Plan 2000, and National to (new text) protect and improve the environment for
Fisheries Strategy 2006, and cross cutting strategies such as present and future generations, and to attain, through
the recent Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and planned economic growth, a constant increase of
National Sustainable Development Strategy. However, their productive forces and a steady improvement in the
implementation and adoption into practice has been at best material and cultural standard of living of the people,
piecemeal and often constrained by contradictory policies with a view to securing to its citizens-
for land management and revenue. The table at the start of
this section highlights where policy change and new policies a. the provision of the basic necessities of life,
are needed. including food, clothing, shelter, education and
medical care;
To give due weight to this major change towards
sustainability, and to enable necessary actions under the b. the right to work, that is the right to guaranteed
remaining 11 themes, two fundamental policy actions are employment at a reasonable wage having regard to
proposed: the quantity and quality of work;
1. Recognition of the right to a safe, healthy environment c. the right to reasonable rest, recreation and leisure;
as a basic human right under the Constitution. and
2. Making the national budget from the Financial Year d. the right to social security, that is to say to public
2010-11 environmentally responsible, with a separate assistance in cases of undeserved want arising from
heading for climate change, and explicitly using taxes, unemployment, illness or disablement, or suffered
duties and utility pricing to reflect the social and by widows or orphans or in old age, or in other
environmental costs of technologies and consumption. such cases.
The vision will be further achieved through a set of sub- Part III
targets and actions:
New clause: Environment
1. Activate in 2010 the National Environment Council to
meet regularly and oversee mainstreaming of sustainable Subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law
development. in the interests of the security of the State, every citizen
shall have:
2. Incorporation of environmental sustainability as a
fundamental objective and requirement at all levels of a. the right to a safe and healthy environment
development planning undertaken by all public agencies.
b. the right to information pertaining to the condition
3. Establish effective cooperation across ministries, line of the nation’s environment.
agencies and departments, new regional planning
bodies, and local government to achieve sustainable
development.
6 Sustainable Development Vision 20214. Harmonisation of policies under a framework of ensure that this target is achieved in a long term sustainable
sustainability across all relevant sectors, not just way requires that future updates explicitly incorporate
environment and forests; but including industry, water, sustainability principles by demonstrating that all the
agriculture, fisheries, land management, and taxation and sectoral components of the strategy will not lead to adverse
revenue. environmental impacts, conflict, or close future development
options by 2021. There are, therefore, no additional policy
5. Decentralised policy implementation, with primary
actions under this strategy beyond existing policies and the
responsibility at local government level (upazilas and
mainstreaming of sustainable development under target 3.
municipalities), but with stronger checks and balances
including rights to appeal and a public inquiry process to 3 Population
limit any potential abuses of power.
The Bangladesh population would need to stabilise earlier
6. Enactment of a land use zoning and planning control law with zero growth by 2021, when it is likely to be 185 million.
to enable decentralised land use planning and establish a One of the few assessments of Bangladesh carrying capacity
process to review and permit or deny land use changes by FAO estimated with high technology levels a sustainable
(see next sub-targets). population of 185 million, although other assessments based
on fuelwood and foodgrain availability give much lower
7. Openness and accountability in development planning
estimates. The concept of carrying capacity assumes that a
supported by strengthening monitoring of environmental
finite number of people can be supported long term in a
quality and making the data publicly available.
given area without reducing the ability of the environment
8. A change in policy emphasis to planning controls and to sustain the desired quality of life. However, there are
incentives – decisions on what forms of development trade-offs between higher population with more stress on
and land use change will and will not be allowed and resources and poverty, and vice versa, while technological
where. change increases land productivity. Poverty reduction by
improving health, education and incomes helps reduce
9. Establishing a cadre of well trained planning professionals population growth, but the rate of reduction will be too
directly answerable to the relevant level of elected slow. On present trends and policy the population would
government (and thereby the electorate they represent) only stabilise at 210-250 million between 2060 and 2085.
who will implement and enforce land use and This would undermine all other efforts to achieve sustainable
development controls. development. To reduce the existing population growth
2 Extreme poverty momentum requires placing a renewed high priority on
limiting population. The PRSPII recommends that limiting
Poverty reduction is already addressed extensively in population be reinstated as the nation’s top priority. An
national policies and strategy. This is currently embodied implication of a stable population is a higher proportion
in: “Moving ahead: national strategy for accelerated poverty of older people, up to 2021 this will see an increase in
reduction II (FY 2009-11)” or “PRSPII”. However, this is the proportion of working age, but numbers of elderly
short-medium term and has a largely economic focus. dependents will also rise. Policy actions and targets will
Moreover more attention has been paid to reducing the include:
overall incidence of people in poverty (upper poverty
bound), although by 2005 the proportion of people living 1. Immediately generate widespread public debate on
below the lower poverty line had fallen to 25%. Greater population pressure and its implications for sustainability
emphasis is now being placed in PRSPII and through various and create a social preference for families of up to two
projects on ending extreme poverty, for example in terms children.
of people living on less than the minimum necessary diet. To
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 72. Use national identity data bases and birth registration to plans through pedestrian and rickshaw zones, one
support incentives for later marriage and having no more way systems, and more efficient public transport using
than one child (such as education or health allowances). existing infrastructure.
3. Make recruitment and continued employment of new 3. Strict enforcement of existing water and air quality
recruits in all public sector and semi-public jobs (e.g. standards at sources of pollution (see target 8).
teachers), and holding of public office, conditional on
having no more than two children. 4. Restoration of urban storm drainage and encroached
urban waterways sufficient to avoid street flooding in a
4. Renew and reinvigorate promotion of measures to limit one in 20 year extreme rainfall event.
population growth and family size within a year, through
general education, health care and civil society opinion 5. Improved public sewerage systems co-financed by
leaders. requiring private developers (housing and industry) to
invest in facilities for treatment, and with users required
5. Establish a conditional safety net of pensions as an to pay service charges that cover the costs of meeting
incentive within five years: persons over 65 who fall quality standards.
below a means test and have no more than one child
would receive a modest pension. 6. Adoption in industry, transport, and housing of cleaner,
low carbon technologies, through public incentives –
4 Cities reduced duties for appropriate imported equipment,
and subsidies for retrofitting key installations.
Urban centres will have expanded, but this will be kept in
line with new city and municipal region structure and land 5 Villages
use plans that also invest in public space for flood/storm
drainage storage and parks. With the need to maintain Improvements in rural life will mainly be addressed by other
agricultural land and space for biodiversity, urbanisation targets – poverty reduction and sustainable use of natural
will involve dense housing, but with improved services resources (water and forests), and complemented in specific
and sufficient planed open space. Private developers and areas by pollution control and changes in energy policy. In
landowners will pay the full costs of maintaining drainage and addition to limit the loss of agricultural land, more efficient
sewerage treatment provisions to meet surface water quality use of village lands will be promoted through research and
standards. The polluter pays principle will be adopted to development, and use of public lands and infrastructure will
generate funds to mitigate pollution. As a special priority be rationalised. Actions to achieve this target will include:
a sustainable development plan for greater Dhaka will be
1. Enact a framework making rural land use planning
developed and implemented (see later box). But these
and zoning the responsibilities of upazilas and union
changes will be extended to all urban centres. Actions will
parishads. The main entry point for planning is expected
be taken to meet sub-targets:
to be the upazilas, and this will require building capacity,
1. Develop and implement overarching land use/structure accountability, and funds. The aim will be to maintain a
plans for each urban area based on zoning to maintain balance between agriculture, wetlands, other commons,
a healthy environment, maintenance of floodways and and growth of villages and towns.
drainage systems, and neighbourhood development with
2. Develop regional sustainable development plans to meet
a mix of housing, business and industry, services and
the special needs of each region of the country. Rules and
recreational areas to reduce travel.
powers will be set for defining and enforcing land use zones
2. In major cities adopt and enforce efficient transport and restrictions on uses in Environmentally Critical Areas.
8 Sustainable Development Vision 20213. Develop the role of planners in this process, which 6. Achieve zero organic content in urban waste used
should no longer be considered the province of for landfill by promoting public-private partnerships in
engineers and infrastructure development. recycling urban waste for use in maintaining soil fertility
for high value peri-urban agriculture.
4. Rationalise and reduce rural infrastructure – for example
where flood control and road embankments duplicate 7 Water and wetlands
purposes, consolidate them in one place and allocate
the freed land for settlement or cultivation by the poor. Water resources, wetlands and water security will be
ensured for environmental health, livelihoods based on
5. Support identification and promotion of building aquatic resources, and sufficient safe drinking water.
practices that enable more efficient use of land. Bangladesh already has considerable success in local
community management of wetlands, fisheries and water
6 Agriculture resources, and this will be expanded. Long term use rights
and responsibilities will be devolved to local community
Agricultural research and extension efforts will focus on
organisations which will be entrusted with conserving and
ensuring food security, environmental sustainability and
sustainably using wetlands and waterbodies. Wetland and
climate change adaptation, including salinity, drought and
fishery management will incorporate conservation measures
flood tolerance. While efforts will need to continue to
such as designating and protecting wetland and fish
increase yields, returns from water will be maximised and
sanctuaries. Development will recognise and maintain the
irrigation of rice optimised. Diversification of crops on higher
interconnectivity of water, including surface water flows, fish
land will be promoted in favour of high value crops and
migration routes, and surface-groundwater links. Minimum
horticulture suited to drier conditions, thereby reducing
flows in cross-border rivers should be sufficient to meet
groundwater and surface water depletion. Measures to
environmental needs in the dry season. In general existing
improve soil conservation and soil fertility will be promoted,
policies, particularly the National Water Policy, already
including composting and greater recycling, as will integrated
support these aims but implementation and enforcement
pest management. Relevant sub-targets include:
have been patchy and need strengthening. Sub-targets
1. Significantly reduce use of harmful agro-chemicals (and include:
end use of persistent organic pollutants).
1. Determine and then negotiate for minimum dry season
2. Halt loss of agricultural land to infrastructure, towns and flows that will maintain ecological functions of cross-
cities through zoning and its enforcement. border rivers.
3. Reduce consumption of irrigation water relative to the 2. Reorient the water sector, from drainage and flood
yield of dry season boro rice. protection for crops, to maintaining wetland areas,
functions, and services; and enabling optimal productivity
4. Achieve reduced soil loss and sedimentation of khals of floodplains.
through extension of improved land management
practices and soil conservation. 3. Revise the current leasing policy so that the majority of
jalmohals move from traditional leasing to sustainable
5. Reduce the area of higher drought prone land under community management by ensuring long term rights
irrigated dry season rice which depletes ground and responsibilities at minimal lease costs for community
and surface water, by developing market chains and organisations that adopt conservation measures for
providing subsidies to promote adoption of lower water aquatic resources through good governance.
demand high value crops and horticulture.
4. In 50% of jalmohals wetland habitat is restored and
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 9sanctuaries established by 2021 through NGO- 8 Pollution
government facilitation to establish effective community
organisations of poor wetland users and fishers that plan Healthy water and air will be ensured through a carrot
and implement sustainable management. and stick approach. To consolidate measures addressing this
major cross-cutting issue, a new policy will be developed,
5. Laws and rules will be modified to preserve supported by appropriate instruments based on the polluter
interconnectedness and functioning of wetlands pays principle and using these funds to mitigate pollution.
and floodplains. The spread of public and private This will phase in strict enforcement of existing water and air
infrastructure blocking waterways and enclosing quality standards, enable installation and enforce operation of
floodplains for aquaculture will be limited to areas zoned effluent treatment plants by industries and adoption of cleaner
as not part of significant natural floodplain fishery- technologies and vehicles. Monitoring of effluent, emissions,
wetland systems and not affecting agricultural drainage. surface and ground water quality and air quality will all be
strengthened and the results made publicly available. In the
6. The efficiency of use of irrigation water in agriculture will
short term a move to an environmentally responsible national
be increased in terms of yields and returns to volume of
budget will start by making pollution a leading factor in setting
water used.
taxes and subsidies. Taxes and duties will be enhanced on
7. More efficient use of urban water supplies will be items and technologies that result in pollution problems.
promoted and the full costs of urban water supply Import taxes will be reduced on technologies that treat
passed on to consumers. pollutants and/or minimise emissions. Restoring urban storm
drainage and improving public sewerage systems will require
8. Retention of surface water will be promoted for use investments by private developers and higher service charges.
in the dry season both for irrigation and to maintain Incentives will encourage links with use of cleaner technologies
fisheries and wetlands, for this re-excavation of silted up rather than short term cost considerations which can result in
waterbodies will be promoted. adoption of older less efficient processes and equipment. Sub-
targets to achieve this vision include:
9. Dry season ground water levels will be stabilised
(presently falling by 1 m per year in places). 1. By 2021 90% of urban air quality tests and dry season
surface water tests will show that national quality
10. Ensure that 95% of households have access to drinking
standards are met.
water of acceptable standards (including arsenic
contamination). 2. Establish effective monitoring and licensing systems
operated by government regulated private sector
11. Rationalise and reduce the total land take from
operations covering mechanised point sources of
embankments and infrastructure, by making them multi
pollution (motor vehicle and boat licensing based on
purpose (flood control, transport, settlement of poor,
testing safety for both movement and emissions by
afforestation).
authorised mechanics against payments that cover the
12. Revise existing surface water management arrangements costs of the process) and general ambient air quality
so that larger systems are owned by consortia of local testing and spot checks on certified vehicles.
user organisations and government (co-management),
3. Strict enforcement of existing standards, including vehicle
responsible for operating and maintaining infrastructure
emissions and water quality standards.
from locally generated funds.
4. Enhance public transport, particularly rail services, to
reduce emissions per passenger kilometre travelled.
10 Sustainable Development Vision 20215. Raise annual taxes and duties on vehicles and engines to 9 Forests
include an emissions tax component based on the level
of emissions from the engine. In keeping with the National Forest Policy 1994, 20% of all
lands will have forest cover, but the quality of forest in both
6. Allow duty free import of equipment and supplies public and private lands will be assured. On public lands
needed specifically to operate Effluent Treatment Plants. all reserve forest will be protected and managed to have
high biodiversity conservation value, maintain ecosystem
7. Ensure that all ships imported for breaking are
functions, and so far as possible under those aims meet the
decontaminated prior to entering Bangladesh waters and
livelihood needs of local communities involved in their co-
that breaking only takes place in authorized zones after
management. Substantial forest restoration and protection
passing environmental checks.
will be achieved by accessing global climate change
8. Revise rules so that the fines for failure to comply with mitigation funds, such as carbon credits and REDD, from
standards are a real deterrent. For example, vehicles not both private and public sectors. Active co-management will
meeting standards cannot be driven, factories without ensure that the biodiversity value of existing protected forest
effluent treatment plants that they were required to areas and reserve forests is restored and maximised while
have or persistently failing to discharge water within ensuring better livelihoods for those dependent on non-
target standards would face fines equivalent to the cost timber forest products. Community-owned afforestation
of a treatment plant. with native trees will be encouraged in deforested
environments including wetlands, coastal areas, and the
9. The conditions set in all industrial development southeastern hills. Partnerships between public sector,
approvals through Environmental Impact Assessments communities, private sector, and civil society will expand
will be checked and enforced during construction. On provision for responsible tourism in forests. Sub-targets to
commissioning of the development if effluent treatment achieve this vision include:
provisions required in the assessment have not been
met the industry will not be authorised to operate. 1. By 2021 90% of those lands designated for forests (16%
of land) will comprise of full canopy or regenerating
10. Establish a system for integrated waste management in native trees, this will require a large programme of forest
all urban areas based on separation of solid waste at restoration.
source into organic compostable, other recyclable and
non-recyclable components. 2. Forest land boundaries will be surveyed and delineated
in the field and forest cover will be monitored at five
11. Maximise recycling of solid waste and ensure that year intervals making use of ground-truthed remote
disposal of residual unusable waste is non-polluting. sensing.
12. Enforce zero production and stocks of Persistent 3. All forest protected areas will have conservation based
Organic Pollutants (POPs), including clean up and safe management plans prepared by and endorsed by co-
disposal of remaining POPs and their replacement with management bodies comprising of local resource users
safe alternatives in all industries. and Forest Department within two years, these will
cover participation, habitat restoration and protection,
13. Support research and development during the next
biodiversity and species protection, funding, and
three years to find ways of making brick production low
sustainable eco-tourism.
carbon and low emission, for example using renewable
energy sources such as solar power, and enforce 4. Changes in use of forest lands will be subject to the
conversion if this is successful. same planning controls as other land uses covered in
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 11land use planning and ECAs. Loss of and leasing out protected areas. Most are indicator species for the health
of other forest lands – reserved forest and unclassified of the ecosystems they belong to. To protect and restore
state forest to other (non forest-based) uses will end populations of threatened species will require species
immediately except where after a public inquiry loss is recovery or action plans, similar to that already prepared
found to be in an overriding national interest. for the tiger. Priority will be placed on early actions for
species for which Bangladesh holds significant proportions
5. The targets for reserve forest and unclassified state of the global population or of other special significance to
forest management will be changed within three years Bangladesh. Sub-targets include:
to comprise multiple objectives: generating a sustainable
income for local user communities and the national 1. Prepare (within two years) and implement during the
exchequer from sustainable harvest of native trees and remaining period species recovery plans for all globally
other forest products while maintaining forest cover and threatened species regularly occurring in Bangladesh.
high biodiversity value. Conduct a review and revision of these plans at five year
intervals.
6. The mechanisms for certifying and approving re-
forestation and forest protection under carbon credit 2. Establish additional protected areas as necessary
and REDD mechanisms will be rationalised and within five years that will enable conservation of these
streamlined within a year and used to enable substantial threatened species as well as significant eco-systems that
forest restoration and coastal afforestation through are not covered or are under-represented in the existing
partnerships with civil society, local communities and protected areas and ECAs, particularly in non-forest
private sector. habitats.
10 Biodiversity 3. Update national threat assessments for vertebrate taxa
within four years.
Ecosystem based biodiversity conservation is already
covered by targets 7 (wetlands) and 9 (forests). However, 11 Energy
the following totals of species globally threatened with
extinction have been found in Bangladesh: 27 (7 extirpated) The energy demands of economic growth for a larger and
out of 120 mammal species, 33 (9 extirpated) out of 650 more urban population will be met through a low carbon
strategy, subject to availability of funds and technology.
Government support will be coordinated across relevant
Over 99% of three species of vultures disappeared industry, power, and revenue sectors with the aim of
across South Asia since the mid-1990s after promoting innovation and joint ventures that bring in
feeding on cattle carcasses treated with diclofenac cost-effective technologies based on high energy efficiency,
(an anti-inflammatory drug lethal to vultures). India, use of renewable sources, and low emissions that are
Nepal and Pakistan outlawed its manufacture in suitable to rural and urban Bangladesh. Inefficiency taxes
2006, but it continues to be produced and used will be introduced as surcharges on imports of equipment
in Bangladesh. An alternative, meloxicam, is just as that does not qualify as “low carbon”. The full economic
good a treatment and causes no harm to vultures. costs of energy will be charged to consumers and industry.
Mechanisms will be developed for the private sector,
including local communities, to sell surplus electricity
bird species, 22 out of 154 reptile species, one out of 34 generation into the national grid if it comes from certified
amphibian species, and 6 out of 402 marine fish species. renewable sources. The following sub-targets will enable this
Several are not dependent on existing forest or wetland vision:
12 Sustainable Development Vision 20211. Expansion of dispersed electricity generation from protected areas and ECAs, species recovery plans, and
renewable sources (notably solar power) through as appropriate identify how to maintain those habitats
subsidies and enterprise development in small scale by 2021, if necessary in new areas.
solar power, so that all stationary rural power needs
(including irrigation, rice processing, lighting) are met 2. Ensure that land use zoning and controls, and associated
within 2021 from renewable sources. development and building permitted under this system,
take into account likely hazards, including increases
2. Achieve significantly more efficient use of biomass in in extreme flood and cyclonic storm frequency and
domestic cooking. earthquake risks.
3. End subsidies for use of fossil fuels.
4. Reduce emissions per megawatt of electricity generated,
by adopting cleaner technologies in use of fossil fuels.
12 Hazards
Resilience of the livelihoods of all, but particularly the poor,
and of the nation as a whole, will be strengthened to face
the challenge of external pressures and natural hazards.
In particular better adaptation and coping with the threats
posed by climate change such as increased severity of
floods, drought and salinity intrusion, will be ensured. But
development will also address reducing vulnerability to
earthquakes and hazardous development. Climate change
adaptation will include strengthening flood mitigation and
protection works, but this will not be simply “business
as usual”. The opportunity will be taken, through local
participation in planning, to correct negative impacts from
the past by ensuring a better balance between agriculture,
drainage, fisheries and wetlands. A precautionary approach
to uncertainty means that in some coastal areas alternatives
will be tested. For example, the option of enabling siltation
coupled with flood-proofed homes and less intensive
livelihoods based on livestock, fisheries and mangrove
afforestation, instead of raising embankments with associated
costs and risks of failure. There are already detailed
strategies to address climate change adaptation, and the
other targets set in this vision mainstream climate change
adaptation within sustainable development. Additional sub-
targets are therefore limited to:
1. Assess the likely impacts of climate change on critical
ecosystems in Bangladesh within two years, and feed
this information into the management of existing
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 13Regional Sustainable Developement Vision In this section brief sub-national visions are presented as flagships to publicise and demonstrate the policy change “boxes” for some key environments. To achieve the national to sustainable development, for example the large coastal vision real changes need to happen on the ground and this zone highly vulnerable to climate change, the ecologically should start in some priority pilot areas. In particular Dhaka and culturally fragile southeastern hilltracts, and the globally as a “region” is of such high national significance that an significant Sundarban home to a national symbol the “Royal outline is of key principles and steps needed for a sustainable Bengal tiger”. city. Other regions face special issues or are important as A sustainable coastal zone Bangladesh already has a well developed plan for “Integrated Coastal Zone Management” but this is yet to be implemented, it will be updated and revised in line with national sustainability planning. The overall vision is to promote economic growth that builds in resilience to the expected increasing intensity and frequency of natural hazards (including storm surges, sea level rise, salinity intrusion). Key ecosystems will be maintained and protected. Future options will be kept open by limiting intensification and urbanisation to focus sites that are less vulnerable and considered worthwhile to invest in protecting. The Chittagong region will be favoured for industrial and port development rather than areas of greater ecological significance and vulnerability to pollution. While this will aim for economic growth based on transhipment and business development similar to that of Singapore, it will also replicate the same standards for environmental and urban health found there by requiring that businesses adopt green investment. Moreover properly regulated energy efficient onward water-borne and rail transport of a high standard will be encouraged for bulk goods and people to Dhaka and the north-west region, and for international travel and transhipment. Existing environmental initiatives and laws will be implemented and enforced, including improving the environmental and human health and safety of the ship-breaking industry and limiting its area. In the offshore zone care will be taken to balance exploitation of resources such as gas and fisheries, with ecology to ensure sustainable harvests. Globally important and productive ecosystems will be maintained, notably mangroves and estuarine mudflats. These key ecosystems and their components will be protected by expanding and improving management of Environmentally Critical Areas to include coastal and marine protected areas for cetaceans, mudflats that are globally important for wintering shorebirds, and St. Martin’s Island. Land use zoning and management will continue successful promotion of mangrove and coastal afforestation to support land stabilisation and shelter during storms. It will be supported by agricultural research and extension to promote climate change resilient crops and practices in appropriate zones, including zones for responsible shrimp and fish farming. Land use zoning and planning will also identify and make provision for difficult choices of where to enhance protection against storm surges and floods and where to allow nature to take its course to erode and accrete. In the latter cases, this will include support for relocating settlements when necessary from the most vulnerable areas to designated urban growth zones at locations that are less vulnerable and where investments in higher levels of protection from floods and storm surges will be made. In addition disaster preparedness services including information, forecast and warning systems, communications, cyclone shelters, and evacuation provisions will be strengthened for vulnerable populations. 14 Sustainable Development Vision 2021
A vision for environmentally sustainable development of Dhaka
By 2021 with business as usual the population of the greater Dhaka conurbation is expected to be exceed 22
million people, with a third living in slums. Traffic speeds would grind almost to a standstill. There would be
growing inequality not only in wealth but also in health between better off and poor. Those who can afford
better housing, cars and air conditioning will add to energy consumption and pollution levels. Surface water
and air quality will pose significant health hazards. Open space and recreation facilities for the majority will be
an unattainable dream. Drainage congestion and storm water flooding will continue to worsen. Environmental
damage will increasingly result in economic costs and impediments to a third of our GDP which is based in this
region.
An environmentally sustainable greater Dhaka will be founded on coordinated planning and enforcement of
plans. The needs and quality of life of the majority of inhabitants will be enhanced by developing a structure
plan for the Dhaka region as a whole (the districts of Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj). This will maintain
environmental services, define land use zones (residential, industrial, peri-urban food production, open space
including floodways, wetlands and forests), and devolve detailed local planning and enforcement to local
authorities. Dhaka region planning and local planning within the region will be consolidated under agencies
headed by elected councils. While enforcement of building regulations will remain a priority, the focus will
be firstly on strict enforcement of the structure plan and its zones, which will extend to relocating unsuitable
landuses such as inner city industries and conversion of resulting “brown-field” sites to public open space.
These plans will adopt sustainable development principles, by implementing and enabling:
1. Neighbourhood development to reduce travel time and energy wastage and improve quality of life (for
example, zones in new and old developments will include relatively dense housing for a range of income
levels, services including schools within walking distance, and sufficient open space).
2. Integrated water management by re-opening and maintaining surface drainage, creating and preserving
wetlands for sufficient flood storage within the region as a whole and linked with new developments,
protecting wetlands for environmental health and recreational opportunities, and on-site rainwater
harvesting and storm drainage retention within new developments.
3. Efficient and environmentally healthy waste management by consolidating polluting industries to where
they treat effluent on-site, ensuring sewage treatment to maintain surface water quality, and maximising
use of solid waste for recycling, energy generation and soil nutrient replenishment.
4. Mitigation of communications congestion (for example, strict enforcement of existing rules, incentives
for electric vehicles, enhanced public transport, pedestrian only and rickshaw only zones/roads, improved
pavements, congestion taxes, and charges for use of public parking spaces).
5. Increased use of cleaner energy and greater efficiency to minimise air pollution. Research and
development will be expedited to minimise construction pollution and produce “low-carbon” buildings
(e.g. this might result in solar powered brick kilns and alternative construction methods).
Sustainable Development Vision 2021 15Renewal of community livelihoods in the Chittagong Hilltracts
The vision in this unique region is of a more harmonious development where the basic needs of all
communities are met, through development of service provisions that meet the desires of communities and
are directly responsible to regional authorities. Existing natural forest will be protected through local co-
management. Forest cover will be restored by devolving responsibilities and rights to local communities and
then providing access to grants, expertise and enabling access to external climate change mitigation funds.
Land management support will extend soil conservation measures including village based horticultural and
agro-forestry systems. It will also recognise traditional land rights on condition of adopting sustainable land
uses and taking up subsidies offered for community reforestation. By 2021 these approaches will have been
demonstrated in selected watersheds.
Sustainable development will be enabled by facilitating villages to promote and benefit from their individuality.
For example, by adapting the “one tambon one product” [one village one product] approach of Thailand
to specialise in adding value and enhancing livelihoods based on products using local raw materials and
expertise for external markets. This will be coordinated and facilitated through a regionally based livelihood
development authority. Small scale eco-tourism will be facilitated through advice and capacity building for the
local communities that will control it, appropriate trekking routes and local guiding, and enhanced facilities in
rejuvenated protected areas.
To encourage administration by local people and self reliance, and to minimise external influence, extra
allowances made for armed services and public servants posted in the region will be ended
Tigers and the Sundarbans
A high priority will be placed on strengthening the successful protection of a national emblem – the Royal
Bengal Tiger – and key indicator for the health of the Sundarbans World Heritage Site. The Bangladesh Tiger
Action Plan 2009 will be implemented, conservation capacity of the Forest Department strengthened, and
responsible boat-based eco-tourism promoted. Public-private partnerships will be encouraged to support
and invest in these initiatives. To minimise irreversible changes and pollution hazards, and considering climate
change and higher sedimentation, trade and port expansion at Mongla will be limited.
16 Sustainable Development Vision 2021Priority Enabling environmental clean up around their sites and adopt
nearby communities.
Measures During 2. Establish awards to encourage “green” industries,
innovations and interventions for sustainable
2010-14
development in categories to cover individuals,
communities, small and large business enterprises, local
government, and public agencies.
3. Develop incentives for investment by expatriate
Government policies Bangladeshis and joint ventures in renewable energy,
1. Strengthen the capacity of local government (Upazilas environment friendly smaller scale rural industries,
and Union Parishads) to develop structure plans, industries that add value to rural production.
enforce a simple planning process for development
and change in land use, and to take as stronger role in
coordinating water management. The latter will be a Priority Actions
for 2010
priority since seasonal excesses and shortfalls of water
are a major force shaping rural development.
2. Taxation, duties and subsidies reviewed and revised
to complement and enable sustainable development Public consultations
principles: polluter pays, adoption of green technologies
A cross-cutting need is to hold public hearings to foster
and development, wise and efficient use of renewable
debate and obtain broad support from civil society for
and non-renewable resources.
the highest priority areas where major policy changes are
proposed:
Supportive collaboration in research
and development 1. Hearings on this vision and the main policy changes and
steps required to refine the steps needed and develop
1. Establish transparent competitive mechanisms to award
broad based ownership.
grants from public funds and to attract matching funds
from diverse sources. 2. Hearings on the need to end population growth by
2021 if the aims of poverty eradication and sustainable
2. Give priority to research and development for
development are to be achieved and how best to
adaptation to climate change in agriculture, renewable
achieve this.
energy, and improving efficiency in use of water and
energy. 3. Hearings on land use planning controls, sustainable
development of greater Dhaka, and institutional
3. Demonstrate implementing the suite of sustainable
reorganisations needed for Dhaka.
development principles and practices in an integrated
way in at least one pilot area for each key environment.
Governance
Public-private partnerships 1. In conjunction with implementation of the Climate
Change Action Plan, activate the National Environment
1. Encourage larger companies of Bangladesh to adopt
Council to meet regularly, recognise sustainability as a
voluntary environmental codes and to sponsor
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