Environmentalists and rights activists at a discussion here on Sunday stressed proper utilisation of the allocation made in the national budget to implement the Haor Development Master Plan.
Urging the government to form a ‘monitoring cell’ to bring transparency and accountability in the development works under the Haor Development Master Plan, they said since the public money has been allocated for implementing the plan, marginal people of the haor region have the right to know where the allocation is being spent on.
The government has made an allocation of Tk 50 crore in the current fiscal year to implement the Haor Development Master Plan.
Haor Advocacy Platform organanised the discussion, tilted ‘Financing in implementing the Haor Development Master Plan’, at the Bangladesh Economics Association in the capital.
Chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Prof Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, director general of Haor and Wetland Development Board Engineer Saidur Rahman, former director general of Haor and Wetland Development Board Engineer Enamul Haque, Oxfam assistant country director Kabita Bose, UNDP senior consultant M Aminul Islam, and agriculturists Dr Halimdud Khan and Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the programme held with Haor Advocacy Platform convener M Anwar Hossain in the chair.
Speaking as the chief guest, Prof Kholiquzzaman said although the haor area has immense potential, it is neglected.
“The environment, biodiversity, ecosystem and culture in the haor region are different than that of other regions. So, its problems are also different… we’ve to take a plan and to implement it to resolve the existing problems,” he said.
Saidur Rahman said the government has given emphasis on developing the haor region and it has made a specific allocation in the national budget in this regard.
Engr Enamul Haque said as the haor has a plenty of natural resources, transparency, accountability and condensation are needed in implementing the plan in the region.
The Haor Development Master Plan and database have been formulated involving Tk79.36 crore to ensure sustainable development of 2 crore inhabitants of the haor areas covering seven northeastern districts.
Under the master plan, 17 special areas have been identified for development, which will be implemented over a period of 20 years.
Source: UNBConnect
