Memo submitted deeking dpecial budget allocation for coastal region
Staff Correspondent
A memorandum has been submitted to Finance and Planning Adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, demanding a special budget allocation for Bangladesh’s coastal region and the implementation of a 21-point proposal in the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
The memorandum was handed over at the adviser’s office at the Secretariat on Thursday by the research organisation Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF) and the citizens’ platform Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo and other relevant ministries.
Signed by DRDF President and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University teacher and researcher Mir Mohammad Ali, and Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Coordinator Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, the memorandum stated that coastal communities are facing recurring natural disasters, increasing salinity, shortages of safe drinking water and food, and a deteriorating agriculture and healthcare system.
It said the worsening crisis is leading to rising unemployment, livelihood insecurity and displacement across the coastal belt.
According to the memorandum, the 21-point recommendations were prepared based on consultations with local residents, representatives of government and non-government organisations, civil society leaders and experts to address the growing challenges facing coastal communities.
The organisations said several of the proposals, including a special budget allocation for coastal areas, were not reflected in the proposed budget despite previous commitments from the government. They urged the authorities to incorporate the recommendations before the budget is approved.
The proposals include declaring coastal areas as climate- and disaster-vulnerable zones, establishing a Coastal Development Board to implement integrated development plans, creating environmentally sustainable economic zones, constructing and repairing embankments.
A memorandum has been submitted to Finance and Planning Adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, demanding a special budget allocation for Bangladesh’s coastal region and the implementation of a 21-point proposal in the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
The memorandum was handed over at the adviser’s office at the Secretariat on Thursday by the research organisation Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF) and the citizens’ platform Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo and other relevant ministries.
Signed by DRDF President and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University teacher and researcher Mir Mohammad Ali, and Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Coordinator Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, the memorandum stated that coastal communities are facing recurring natural disasters, increasing salinity, shortages of safe drinking water and food, and a deteriorating agriculture and healthcare system.
It said the worsening crisis is leading to rising unemployment, livelihood insecurity and displacement across the coastal belt.
According to the memorandum, the 21-point recommendations were prepared based on consultations with local residents, representatives of government and non-government organisations, civil society leaders and experts to address the growing challenges facing coastal communities.
The organisations said several of the proposals, including a special budget allocation for coastal areas, were not reflected in the proposed budget despite previous commitments from the government. They urged the authorities to incorporate the recommendations before the budget is approved.
The proposals include declaring coastal areas as climate- and disaster-vulnerable zones, establishing a Coastal Development Board to implement integrated development plans, creating environmentally sustainable economic zones, constructing and repairing embankments.
