Dhaka, Bangladesh, 12 May, 2008 (IUCN) – IUCN Bangladesh Country Office has organised a one-day workshop on Promotion of Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability: Case Studies from Noakhali on Sunday, May 11, 2008 at the Shimul Meeting Room of Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka. 

Researches in 10 areas have been conducted during December 2004 to April 2008 at Noakhali, specifically at Noakhali Sadar Upazila and newly declared Subarno Char Upazila to understand the impact of climate change and variability for making specific recommendations for adaptation in order to combat the future climatic scenarios.

A combination of the participatory approach as well as scientific tools and data were adopted in conducting the studies to attain maximum input and ensure the interaction of stakeholders. Analysis of climatic data of the study area shows signs of increasing temperature. Hottest years, wettest and driest monsoons have become more common in recent times indicating pattern of an extreme weather. Climate change may accentuate the problem of erosion, accretion, floods, water logging, cyclone and tidal surge in the coastal region. The study was, therefore, carried out in two upazilas of one of the most vulnerable coastal districts –Noakhali. 

As majority of the population of the selected area depends on fisheries and agriculture for their livelihoods, representatives of these two groups were chosen for the study over those representing other sectors. It has been attempted from the outset to obtain a first hand understanding and insights about how the livelihoods of the people have been affected by the impacts of climate change and how people devise indigenous coping strategies for survival within these disastrous situations.

The working sessions of the workshop include presentations on Risk Assessment and Evaluation of Probability of Extreme Hydrological Events and Recommendations on Subsequent Disaster Management for Noakhali Sadar and Subarno Char upazila, Risks on Coastal Fisheries Under Changed Climate Regime, Capacity of Local Institutions: A Case Study on Noakhali Sadar and Subarno Char upazila, Participatory Vulnerability Assessment through Local Level Consultations, Threats on Coastal Agricultural Production From Climate Change, Documentation of Local Level Coping Measures: An Experience from Central Coastal Belt, Agricultural Adaptation in the High Saline Coastal Areas: Case Study from Noakhali district, Study on Fishing Boats of Coastal Belt of Bangladesh, Improved Rural Housing using robust architectural design and Low Cost Construction Materials, and Policy Integration of Climate Change and Climate Variability to Reduce Climate Induced Variability.

Mr. A H M Rezaul Kabir, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest was present at the workshop as Chief Guest during the inaugural session, while Mr. Niels Veenis, First Secretary, Water Management, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh was present as Special Guest.

HE Ms. Bea ten Tusscher, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest during the Closing Session at the same venue.

Dr. Ainun Nishat, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh facilitated the workshop.

The project has been implemented with financial assistance from Netherlands Climate Change Assistance Program, Phase II (NCAP).

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Notes to editors

For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:

Mahbubur Rahman Masum
Communications Officer, IUCN Bangladesh Country Office
Tel: +880 2 9890395, Mobile: +88 01712 061502, masum@iucnbd.org;
Web: http://www.iucnbd.org

Photos (audio/video material) are available at/from: IUCN Bangladesh Country Office

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