Bangladesh is weighing the option on whether to express solidarity with the pledge 124 countries have made at Glasgow climate change summit to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, several delegates indicated on Thursday.
Bangladesh stayed away from the deforestation deal signed at COP26 summit arguing that the country's constitution already provides clear and specific guidelines on the preservation of forests, several delegates said.
On the third day of climate conference the topic of discussion focused on protecting the forest of the planet, reports UNB.
It has received commitments from leaders representing more than 85 per cent of the world's forests to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. Among them are several countries with huge swathe of forests, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Congo, Indonesia, Russia and the United States.
Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources said Bangladesh representatives have raised the points on industrialization without harming the environment at the discussion.
"In Bangladesh industrialization is going on without harming the environment. Rampal power plant is being built far away from the Sundarbans. In future projects Bangladesh will maintain the practice," he said.
"As this is a declaration of agreement, we have time to consider about Bangladesh's involvement, "said Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Forest, Environment and Climate change.
Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Mazumder told the UNB reporter it is disappointing that Bangladesh did not express solidarity with such a declaration, even though the country is in the forefront of global fight against climate change.
"For this the country will be deprived of the compensation the signing countries will receive from the deal. It also indicates Bangladesh will not take stricter steps to end deforestation in the country, "he said.
The deal on ending deforestation also pledges to create a US dollar 19.2-billion public and private fund.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over Bangladesh's failure to show solidarity with the joint declaration of world leaders on forest and land use at the COP-26 conference.
Executive Director of TIB Dr Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh not showing solidarity with the declaration is extremely disappointing.
Being one of the most damaged country by climate change Bangladesh not responding to the pledge is unbelievable, he said
"Even the Sundarbans, known as a natural sanctuary for various unscrupulous public and private activities, is now under threat. In such a difficult reality, Bangladesh must immediately be involved in this global declaration, "said Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
