1743 sq km of Bay of Bengal declared as protected area to conserve biodiversity
The government has declared 1743 square kilometres of the Bay of Bengal, adjacent to St. Martin Island, as a protected area to prevent biodiversity loss. “1743 sq km of the Bay of Bengal area adjacent to St. Martin Island in addition to the previously declared 590 hectares of ecologically critical area, has been declared as St. Martin Marine Protected Area,” according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The decision was taken in order to prevent uncontrolled ships and motorboats, overfishing of fishery resources, dumping of waste and harmful chemicals in the sea, destruction of coral colonies, depletion of biodiversity, the ministry said in its decision on Wednesday. Under the Sections 13 (1) and 13 (2) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012, declared the area as ‘St. Martin Marine Protected Area’. This Marine Protected Area is by far the largest and second Marine Protected Area in the country, said the environment ministry. It aims to help in the conservation of the endangered pink dolphins, sharks, ray fish, sea turtles, seabirds, corals, marine grasses, and marine biodiversity and their habitats as a result of the declaration of St. Martin Marine Protected Area. The decision will also help improve the livelihoods of indigenous peoples through sustainable extraction of marine fisheries resources, enrich the national blue economy and achieve the international obligations and targets related to the special economic zone of Bangladesh, expect the ministry. The decision came amid the expert call for the conservation of the coral and marine aquatic life and marine biodiversity of St. Martin's Island. The ministry said it will facilitate the proper enforcement of the law and proper management of the protected area with the help of law enforcement agencies operating in and around the island. Moreover, limiting sustainable extraction of marine resources from this protected area will result in increased marine fish resources and aquatic animal breeding in the protected area.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.