Environmental activist and long-distance hiker Masfiqul Hasan Tony, 29, reached Pekua after walking about 301 kilometres as part of a campaign to raise awareness of climate justice, renewable energy, and access to safe drinking water in Bangladesh’s coastal communities.
Tony started his journey from Shyamnagar in Satkhira and is walking towards Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf under the campaign titled “Bangladesh Coastal Traverse.” He reached Pekua Upazila Press Club at around 10 am on Friday (October 2).
To mark his arrival, local environmental organisations organised a cycling rally, procession and human chain in Pekua.
The programmes called for an end to the occupation and pollution of rivers and canals, restoration of natural water flow, protection of aquatic biodiversity, measures to address the shortage of safe drinking water in coastal communities and greater protection of coastal livelihoods.
Dharitri Rakshay Amra (Dhara), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, the Salt-Fisheries and Agriculture Welfare Association, and the Coastal Free Rover Scouts Group jointly organised the programmes.
Separate programmes were held at Pekua Press Club and Ratnapur Haliapara sea beach in Banshkhali on Friday morning.
Participants called for a faster transition to renewable energy, reduced reliance on fossil fuels and gradual measures to move away from coal, oil and gas.
They also called for stronger action to protect rivers, canals, coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.
Speakers said fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are associated with air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while renewable sources such as solar and wind power generally have lower carbon emissions.
They stressed the need to expand renewable energy in the electricity and energy sectors while adopting long-term plans that account for environmental and social impacts.
Speakers also said climate change was affecting the lives and livelihoods of people in coastal areas through salinity, shortages of safe drinking water, reduced navigability of rivers and canals and other environmental changes.
They called for coordinated action at both local and national levels to address these challenges.
At the programme in front of Pekua Press Club, speakers included environmental activist Masfiqul Hasan Tony, Delwar Hossain, Pekua upazila coordinator of Dhara, Jihadul Islam, supervisor of Pekua Planters Club, M Amzad Hossain, president of Nur Ayesha Khan Foundation, and Sadequr Rahman, team leader of the Coastal Free Rover Scouts Group.
At the cycling rally and procession at Ratnapur Haliapara sea beach in Banshkhali, Shahabuddin Muniri Chowdhury, president of the Banshkhali Protection Foundation, addressed the participants.
Students from different educational institutions, local fishermen, environmental activists and Rover Scouts members, among others, took part in the programmes.
They expressed solidarity with calls to protect coastal ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and safeguard rivers and canals.
Tony’s campaign will continue to Shah Porir Dwip, highlighting the environmental challenges communities along Bangladesh’s coast face.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
