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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Stop hill cutting, settlement in foothills to avoid disaster
The technical and expert committee in its report has suggested introduction of a separate and complete rule for preservation and development of hills in Chittagong to avert casualties and damages of properties during landslides. The committee sent the report to cabinet division on April 21 suggesting measures to stop hill cutting and not to allow housing in foothills, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md Zafar Alam, also member secretary of the committee.
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Hatirjheel Project 'Cancel design to save 500 families'
Residents of Boro Maghbazar, Siddeshwari and Ulon moujas yesterday demanded cancellation of the current design of the Hatirjheel project, as about 400-500 families of these moujas will be homeless if the project is implemented with the current design. They urged the government to implement the much-awaited project with the previous design for the sake of their lives.
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Disaster management act soon
Law Secretary Habibul Awal yesterday said that the government is formulating a disaster management act with a view to giving the country's disaster management programme an institutional shape. He said a draft of the proposed act is now at the final stage while the views have already been taken from all stakeholders including the Ministry of Law, said a press release. The law secretary was addressing the 2nd day of a three-day workshop, organised by Disaster Management Bureau at the Relief Bhaban.
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Cyclone could spark fresh protests in Myanmar
The junta's slow response to the death and destruction wrought by Cyclone Nargis and soaring prices for food and fuel could foment fresh unrest in military-run Myanmar, analysts say. At least 22,000 people are dead and nearly twice as many missing, and aid workers are struggling to get visas to bring life-saving supplies into the country. Food, water and fuel are scarce in storm-ravaged areas including the economic hub and former capital Yangon. Where they are available, prices are beyond the reach of most people in the impoverished country.
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Tk 100 crore forest industry equipment remain unused, getting damaged in Bagaihat
Huge machinery including heavy vehicles worth about Tk 100 crore are being damaged on the premises of Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Corporation (BFIDC) office at Bagaihat Bazar under Bagaichhari upazila in hill district Rangamati due to negligence of BFIDC officials. The industry started its operation in 1963 based on a total of 3,59,140 acres of reserved forests in Bagaihat, Machalong , Shisok, Laxmichhari West, Laxmichhari East, Pablakhali and Naraichhari under Bagaichhari upazila in Rangamati hill district, BFIDC sources said.
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CA for diversified use of potato for food security
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday underscored the need for diversifying the use of potato through changing food habit to help ensure food security of the country. In a statement, he said it is equally important to create awareness in all tiers of the society alongside carrying out a massive campaign about various recipes of potato to popularise it. The CA appreciated the initiative of organising a three-day potato campaign marking 'International Potato Year 2008', declared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
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Flood in Dakop in Khulna turns serious
With three more cracks that developed yesterday in an embankment on Shibsha River at Bajua union under Dakop upazila in Khulna district, flood situation has worsened further. Over 3,000 houses of 15 villages under Dakop upazila in Khulna district were inundated as an embankment developed two breaches on Sunday and three more early Monday due to pressure of cross current triggered by high tide.
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'Form nat'l body for emergency diarrhoea preparedness'
Speakers at a seminar yesterday stressed the need for forming a national planning and policy committee for emergency diarrhoea preparedness with the support of the government and the NGOs. With the outbreak of diarrhoea worsening in the last few weeks, the speakers called for establishing satellite treatment centers with ICDDR,B-trained staff. They also suggested appropriate functional plans in collaboration with the government, increased behavioral change communication and awareness programme for the general population.
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$40m US food aid for primary children
The United States will donate $10 million in emergency food aid and another $30 million in food aid through a three-year school feeding programme in the country. "The primary beneficiaries of the new $10 million emergency food aid will be those still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of cyclone Sidr,' said US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty at a press conference at the American Recreation Association in the city yesterday.
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Diarrhoeal Diseases Number of patients on rise
Diarrhoeal Diseases Number of patients on rise The number of the patients undergoing treatment for diarrhoeal diseases shows sharp rise this week. Around 1319 people sought treatment at different hospitals across the country from Saturday morning to yesterday morning, according to the control room of Directorate General of Health Services. International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), the lone specialised hospital for diarrhoeal diseases in the country, experienced 650 patients yesterday, which was 699 on Saturday and 656 on Friday.