By Gazi Mahida Mizan, from Satkhira
A rally was held in Satkhira demanding climate justice and the establishment of a specialized Coastal Development Board to address the ongoing climate crisis.
The rally was organized jointly by the Green Coalition, BARCIK, and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team. The rally started from the Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park on 19 November. Participants marched through several city roads before gathering again at the starting point for a discussion.
Speakers highlighted major challenges faced by the coastal region such as increasing salinity, freshwater scarcity, livelihood crises, and rising risks from cyclones and tidal surges.
They emphasized that despite being one of the most climate-vulnerable zones in Bangladesh, the region still lacks a dedicated institution for coastal development, climate adaptation, and rehabilitation of affected communities.
The participants and Speakers demanded fair compensation and rehabilitation for climate-affected people, increased access to international climate funds, salinity control and freshwater conservation, sustainable agriculture and fisheries support, adequate disaster-resilient infrastructure and ensured participation of youth, women, and marginalized communities in climate planning.
The program was chaired by Azad Hossain Belal, Convenor of Satkhira District Citizens’ Committee. Among others, journalist Kalyan Banerjee, environmental activist Madhab Chandra Dutta, BARCIK Program Officer Gazi Mahida Mizan, and youth leader Abdur Rahman Nirab spoke at the gathering.
