Every year, high tides, river erosion, and tidal surges wreak havoc on the lives and livelihoods of people in Maheshkhali, an island upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Homes are submerged, roads washed away, and croplands ruined, leaving the local population struggling.
Amid these longstanding challenges, a local representative named Yamin met with the Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Rezwana Hasan, to present the region’s dire situation. During their meeting, Yamin submitted a written petition detailing coastal residents’ environmental vulnerability and repeated displacement.
Moved by the appeal, Advisor Rezwana Hasan promptly forwarded the petition to the ministry’s secretary and directed immediate action. The secretary responded by ordering an on-site investigation and emphasized the matter’s inclusion on the ministry’s priority list, with a directive to prepare a comprehensive report without delay.
“We want such problems to be brought to us from the grassroots level so that we can act swiftly,” said Rezwana Hasan. Her remarks have sparked hope among residents, who have long felt unheard by authorities.
“We believe implementation will come — if not today, then tomorrow,” Yamin said optimistically. “We’ll stay in regular contact with the secretary to ensure progress.”
For years, the people of Maheshkhali have been demanding sustainable embankments, river governance initiatives, and climate adaptation projects to safeguard their vulnerable coastline. With this recent high-level engagement, many now see a renewed possibility for lasting change.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Courtesy
