Unplanned embankment poses threat to river
The ongoing construction of an embankment on the Sandhya river in Barishal has sparked outrage among locals who believe the structure will damage the river crucial to their livelihoods. Locals in Banaripara
Daily Star (Bangladesh)
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CNG bus fare refixed
The government has refixed the fare of CNG-run passenger buses and minibuses at Tk 1.20 and Tk 1.10 per kilometre respectively for Dhaka and Chittagong cities. It also set the minimum fare of the CNG-run buses at Tk 5 and directed diesel-run bus operators to convert their vehicles into CNG within next three months, said a press release of the Road and Railway Division yesterday. A nine-member committee formed on May 21 refixed the fare in the wake of price hike of CNG to Tk 16.75 from Tk 8.5 per cubic metre as the CNG bus operators were demanding an increase in bus fare.
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Tigers kill two in Sundarbans
A fisherman and a honey collector were killed by tigers in the Sundarbans yesterday. Fisherman Abdul Mannan along with others was catching fish in Duner canal in the Sundarbans. A Royal Bengal Tiger swooped on him and dragged him into the deep forest. Abdur Rouf Tarafdar also met the same fate while collecting honey near Khalsibunia area. Local people later recovered their bodies.
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On death and survival of tigers
Re-darting of the collared tiger: the tranquilizer dart on right rear leg and the collar on the neck are visible.
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Kicking carbon habit and greening our events
On Thursday, June 5 World Environment Day (WED) was observed in countries across the globe including Bangladesh.
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The importance of agriculture census
THIS year's agriculture census 2008-09 is in progress in the country, and the time fixed for sample surveys at field level was May 11-29. The survey report will be released in June 2009. It will be good if the report can be publicly available in time. The last report of the agriculture census, 1996, was released in July 1999. An agriculture census is essential to obtain the detailed data/statistics/information necessary to keep the nation informed of the changes in the country's agriculture.
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5 lakh children suffer from rickets
The number of children suffering from rickets has been increasing day by day since the last three decades, which is estimated over 5 lakh in different upazilas across the country. The prevalence of patients suffering from rickets is more in coastal belt areas. The cases of rickets are also found in six divisions with Sylhet and Chittagong predominantly.
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City fathers sit on Tk 1cr fund as environmental disaster looms
The Sylhet city Corporation (SCC) could not make any progress in recovering the grabbed natural streams in the city though six months have already passed after allocation of Tk one crore by the LGRD ministry for the purpose. As monsoon approaches, the city dwellers brace for sufferings from severe water-logging as most of the outlets are clogged by encroachers. SCC Chief Executive Officer Kazi Abdul Nur however told The Daily Star yesterday that they have started clearing the streams and drains. But this will help a little to drain out rain water.
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UN for urgent steps to tackle food crisis
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for a huge rise in food production Tuesday as world leaders started a summit on the food price crisis that threatens to plunge millions more people into poverty. The UN secretary general said food output had to rise 50 percent by 2030 to meet rising demand, increased finance for agriculture and the elimination of "trade and taxation policies that distort markets."
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Moulvibazar bamboo forests face destruction
With a massive flowering of bamboos in Moulvibazar, uncertainty looms large about employment of 50 thousand labourers as the unusual phenomenon is destroying bamboo clusters. As the monsoon sets in, the bamboo plants will be totally destroyed, forest officials said, adding that the situation will cause the government lose Tk 1 crore yearly revenue. Local people consider appearance of flower in bamboo plants as a bad omen that results in food crisis. As bamboo plants have been covered with golden-colour flowers, usual scene of the groves has changed.
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50pc under 5 children underweight
World Food Programme (WFP) Bangladesh organises a walk in the city yesterday. Photo: STAR Hundreds of children, UN officials and their partners yesterday walked the streets of the major cities, including the capital of the country calling for national and global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition of children. Holding colourful festoons and banners and wearing T-shirts that carried slogans 'End Hunger- Walk the World', they walked to raise awareness and funds for WFP to provide school meals to the millions of children who attend schools hungry everyday.