Database - United Nations in Bangladesh

Preface
Environment today is recognized as an important element in development. One critical aspect in this link that is often
overlooked concerns the mainstreaming of people's perception and their role in the management of the environment.
The People's Report on Bangladesh Environment is an attempt at presenting people's perception about the
environment around them in a comprehensive manner.
The question can be raised as to why another report on the environment when scores of reports abound. We
acknowledge that there are reports, many reports. Our premise is that there is no report reflecting ordinary citizen's
perception of the environment. Although the issue of people's participation has almost become a cliche, this concept
has not been effectively implemented in many areas. We strongly feel that the issue of environment has become so
pervasive that it cannot be left only to scholars and policy makers. This is an issue which is intimately related to people's
living, livelihood and indeed their rights, their aspirations for quality governance and equity; their heroic struggle for
survival with dignity and creativity. We, therefore, felt that there should be an honest attempt at capturing people's
perception on environment and their views and suggestions for finding creative solutions for improving their livelihoods.
This report is a modest attempt at representing perceptions of common people regarding environmental and
ecological issues that impact their lives in a multitude of ways. We have done this in an effort to mainstream ordinary
citizens' inputs into the decision-making process on environmental management. We are convinced that without the
involvement of citizens at large any attempt at improving the environment around them will not be sustainable. They
are the users, beneficiaries, victims and saviours of the environment. So they deserve to be the primary stake holders
in any attempt at environmental regeneration.
Unnayan Shamannay has always emphasized the principle of "people first" and our mission is people-centred. As a
research organization, its endeavour however is to project the people's perspective, without compromising on scientific
accuracy or academic rigour. The People's Report on the Bangladesh environment is yet another attempt at fulfilling
our mission. The first People's Report (for the year 2001) was well received. Readers provided us useful feedback,
comments and observations to further improve the content and presentation of the Report. We have done our best in
incorporating their valued suggestions. The second People's Report, primarily for the year 2002, also uses 2003
sources and data because of its later publication date. This has made the Report more enriched and updated.
Hopefully, it will also be appreciated by our esteemed readers.
The main focus of this edition of the Report is on the state of the urban environment and spans the broad panorama
of the urbanization continuum. Issues covered include poverty and marginalization, population, health and nutrition,
industrialization, energy etc. It also covers related issues such as land and agriculture, forestry and bio-diversity, water
and climate. The Report consists of two volumes. Volume I presents people's perception, survey findings and experts'
views on environmental issues, development policies and directions. Volume II provides corresponding database on
different aspects of Bangladesh environment. We have used quotations (in English translation) from several distinguished
Bengali poets at the beginning of each chapter to introduce or embellish the theme. The poets quoted are: Jibananda
Das, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, Rafique Azad and Shamsur Rahman.
This report is the outcome of a team work. Many experts, ordinary citizens and, of course, our in-house team of
Unnayan Shamannay have been deeply involved in this challenging work. My sincerest gratitude to the ordinary
people who have shared their valuable insights with our research team on the environment around them. This report
could not have materialized without the tireless efforts of our local associates and research officers, especially Rahela
Rabbani, Tahmina Sultana, Novera Hossain, Hamim Kamrul Haque, M. Anowar Hossain and Riaz Uddin. I am
particularly grateful to Dr. M Ashraf Ali, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET and Farooque Chowdhury of Unnayan
Shamannay for their coordinating role in this enterprise. I am equally grateful to Mahboob Hassan for his excellent
technical editing. Last but not least I wish to thank the experts for their sterling contributions, which have provided a
comprehensive perspective on the issues. Iffat Mahmud and Ejaj Ahmad deserve special thanks for their editing skills.
Mijarul Quayes deserves my appreciation for his editorial contribution. Dr. Babar Kabir, Project Coordinator, and
Mr. Chinmoy Mutsuddi, Communication Specialist, PMU, SEMP have always been a source of encouragement and
support throughout the entire period of preparation of this Report.
I must thank the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) for their generous support for this work. In particular, I must thank Dr. Shoaib Ahmed,
Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest and National Project Director, SEMP, Mr. Jorgen Lissner, Resident
Representative, Ms. Shireen Kamal Sayeed, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP for their continued support.
Atiur Rahman
Chair, Unnayan Shamannay