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Coastal Zone Policy Bangladesh

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Date

January, 2024

Author(s)

Ministry of Water Resources,

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Abstract

The coast of Bangladesh is known as a zone of vulnerabilities and opportunities. It is prone to natural disasters like cyclones, storm surges, and floods. The combination of natural and man-made hazards, such as erosion, high arsenic content in groundwater, water logging, earthquake, water and soil salinity, various forms of pollution, risks from climate change, etc., have adversely affected lives and livelihoods in the coastal zone and slowed down the pace of social and economic developments in this region. The coastal zone differs from the rest of the country in several ways. A participatory and integrated approach promises to reduce conflicts by utilizing coastal resources and the optimum exploitation of opportunities. The Government, therefore, has formulated this coastal zone policy (CZPo) that would provide general guidance to all concerned for the management and development of the coastal zone in a manner so that the coastal people can pursue their lives and livelihoods within a secure and conducive environment. This CZPo may be revised if and when it becomes necessary. The coastal zone policy is unique in the sense that it is a harmonized policy that transcends beyond sectoral perspectives. The CZPo initiates a process that commits different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to agree to harmonize and coordinate their activities in the coastal zone and elaborates the basis for a firm coordination mechanism. The coastal development process aims to meet, on an overall basis, National Goal for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction & Social Development; Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Code of Conduct for Responsible Mangrove Management and other international conventions and treaties including to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goal of integrated coastal zone management is: to create conditions, in which the reduction of poverty, development of sustainable livelihoods and the integration of the coastal zone into national processes can take place.

Citation

CZP, 2005. Coastal Zone Policy, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Publisher

Ministry of Water Resources

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