Mongla, Sept 18 (V7N) – Bangladesh must prioritise the expansion of renewable energy to build a greener and more sustainable future, speakers said at a campaign event in Mongla on Thursday, warning that fossil fuels, including coal, are harmful to the environment, climate and biodiversity.

They also said the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels is economically unsustainable and called for the development of solar energy parks and solar power plants on suitable public land and alongside schools, colleges, hospitals and railway lines.

The remarks were made at a human chain and solidarity rally held on the bank of the Pashur River in South Kainmari, Mongla, as part of the “Renewables Now” campaign. The event was organised to express solidarity with environmental campaigner Masfikul Hasan Tony, who is undertaking a solo coastal walk from Shyamnagar to Teknaf.

The event was jointly organised by Dhara (We, for the Protection of Earth), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Pashur River Waterkeeper and Sundarbans Protection Movement.

The human chain and solidarity rally began at around 7am and was chaired by Md Nur Alam Sheikh, a central leader of Dhara, coordinator of the Sundarbans Protection Movement and Pashur River Waterkeeper.

Among those who spoke were coastal trekker Masfikul Hasan Tony, Dhara leader Kamala Sarkar, Pashur River Waterkeeper volunteer Ratna Sheikh, Climate Action Forum representative Abu Hasan, Sundarbans Protection Movement representative Mehedi Hasan and labour leader Mizanur Rahman.

In his address, Nur Alam Sheikh said the government must immediately place greater emphasis on renewable energy to address the country’s energy challenges.

He called for the withdrawal of all duties and taxes on imported renewable-energy equipment and products, saying renewable energy should be prioritised in the country’s transition towards cleaner energy to help prevent environmental degradation and climate-related disasters.

“Renewable energy must be given priority in the transition to green energy,” he said.

Masfikul Hasan Tony said fossil fuels, including coal, pose serious risks to the environment and called for increased government investment in renewable energy.

Tony began his “Bangladesh Coastal Traverse” on Sept 14 under the message “Renewables Now”, walking along Bangladesh’s coastal belt to raise awareness about energy security, renewable energy, access to safe drinking water and climate justice.

The approximately 19-day journey began at the confluence of five rivers in Shyamnagar and is scheduled to end at Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

The campaign is being carried out as part of the “Renewables Now” initiative through a joint effort of 37 civic and social organisations led by Dhara and Waterkeepers Bangladesh.

According to the campaign organisers, Tony reached Mongla on the afternoon of Sept 16 after walking through Bedkashi, Koyra, Nalian, Dacope and Banishanta. Upon his arrival in Mongla, local forest-dependent communities, fishermen, bawalis and mawalis, along with environmental activists, welcomed him with flowers and garlands.

After spending the night in Mongla, Tony resumed his solo coastal walk from Chila Bazar on Thursday morning.

According to Dhara representatives, the journey will pass through Morelganj, Sarankhola, Pirojpur, Patharghata in Barguna, Kuakata, Char Fasson, Noakhali, Chattogram, Banshkhali, Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf before concluding at Shah Porir Dwip.

The organisers said the campaign aims to draw public attention to the need for renewable energy, safe drinking water and climate justice along Bangladesh’s vulnerable coastal belt.

END/AHS/SMA/