Archive for July, 2008
Turning to Jatropha for Fuel
That fuel and food prices are rising is not good news for anyone. The world is looking for a scapegoat and right now they have turned on entrepreneurs who have replaced food crops with fuel crops. Here in Bangladesh many only associate biofuel options with edible oil based crops.
Is that the only way to generate biofuel? No.
Is there a solution to the rising cost of fuel? Yes.
Will it impact food security? No.
Yet, between the plethora of editorials that berate biofuel as a threat to food security and the effects of slanted news articles, we wait.
Taking into account the negative environmental impact of our current fuel resources, why are we waiting and until when will we wait?
Countless neighboring countries already have projects underway that are generating fuel. For instance, 20% of India’s fuel comes from biofuel. When will Bangladesh start? When will the debating end and when will we begin to take positive action?
Turning to Jatropha for Fuel
Jatropha, growing wild all over the country under various local names, is a potential source for fuel and can gradually replace costly diesel, petrol and even octane
by Shafiq Rahman
Fuel from the fruit jatropha is not only capable of making wheel turn, but has the potential to galvanize the entire economy of the nation. In today’s world this is known as bio-fuel. It can be used as an alternative to diesel. If refined, it can substitute petrol, even octane. However, due to lack of awareness on the part of the country’s policymakers, ignorance of bureaucrats about jatropha and no initiative from entrepreneurs in this regard, this prospective sector lies dormant. Yet jatropha is being cultivated widely in many countries, even in neighbouring countries of Bangladesh.
The Bio-Fuel Development Company has been working in Bangladesh over the past two years, raising awareness among policymakers and farmers alike about jatropha cultivation and producing fuel from this fruit. This company has opened the Jatropha Cultivation and Research Development Centre at Mymensingh. Ehsan Imdad, President and Chief Visionary Officer of the Bio-Fuel Development Company, says, “Considering the present gas reserves of Bangladesh, and in the event that no further reserves are discovered, then in a matter of years the gas will be exhausted. Diesel will be the only fuel to rely on. It will be a daunting challenge for Bangladesh to depend on diesel import. So the government must look towards jatropha as an alternative source of fuel. Unfortunately, our policymakers remain indecisive on the issue.”
“The government will have to put a ‘buy back system’ in place for the farmers,” says Ehsan Imdad, talking about possible government cooperation regarding cultivation of jatropha and producing its oil. He says, “All over the world, jatropha cultivation and production of its oil is being done on the basis of public-private partnership.”
According to records, Bangladesh’s annual requirement of energy fuel is 37 lac metric tonnes. Of this 24 lac metric tonnes is diesel and the remaining is petrol and octane. Annually, 21 thousand crore taka is spent for this. However, if Bangladesh would produce fuel from jatropha, dependence of imported fuel would fall. In fact, experts maintain that if jatropha was cultivated properly, it could meet the entire country’s requirements. Each litre of jatropha fuel would cost 34 taka.
Cropland or arable land is not required to cultivate jatropha. Wasteland is good enough to grow this plant. It can be grown alongside the railway lines, by the roads and highways, by LGED roads, on river embankments, coastal lines and hilly areas. It can also be grown by homesteads, on the aisles of crop fields and other available land. Jatropha does not even need extra care.
It is estimated that there is about 37 lac hectares of wasteland in Bangladesh. Says Ehsan Imdad, “It is possible to grow 1300 plants per hectare. So even if jatropha is planted on seven lac hectares of land, a total of 37 lac metric tonnes of fuel could be produced annually.”
Interestingly, jatropha grows almost everywhere is Bangladesh. However, it is known commonly known in the country as jatropha. In various places it is called beron, berenda, aronda and behaya plants. These grow wild in forests, fields and shrubberies. It is generally considered as a wild plant and people are unaware of its use. While small, it is often uprooted and thrown away as unwanted weeds. Yet each of these plants can live up till 45 years and can become full grown trees if allowed to survive. Each tree produces huge amounts of jatropha fruit every year. However, the people are ignorant about its economic value. Ehsan Imdad says, “These trees produce fruit when two years old and live for 45 years. So as fuel demands increase each year, the trees grow too and produce more and more fruit. This meets the increasing demand for fuel. This is not possible from any other source.”
For long now, the cover of the fruit has been used in the making of ayurvedic medicines. In the forties, an Indian ayurvedic institute first made oil from jatropha. The institute’s present name is Nandan Biometrics. After that, jatropha has been cultivated in 32 countries of the world, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia, China and Egypt. In India, 20% of the fuel demand is met by jatropha oil. They plan of 100% dependence on jatropha in near future. Germany meets 30% of its fuel needs with jatropha.
Despite all this, Bangladesh has failed to exploit this potential fuel plant. Ignorance of the policymakers has limited this to a pilot project. Dr. Kamal Hossain spoke against jatropha being confined to a pilot project, saying at a conference, “It’s been 37 years since independence and we are still confined to pilot projects. When will we go for implementation? The country wasn’t made independent as a pilot project.”
Another plus point about jatropha is that it is above the current global debate about bio-fuel. Jatropha is not a food item. It needn’t be grown on cropland. Ehsan Imdad says, “Not only will fuel be produced from jatropha, it will have by-products too. This includes vegetable fat, oil cakes and glycerin. Its cultivation will promote afforestation and environmental protection as well as generate employment. All this will be possible if the government extends its cooperation.”
Advantages of Jatropha
l Jatropha can be grown in less productive areas, shallow fields, rocky terrains and areas with scanty or excess rainfall.
l Animals do not consume jatropha, hence it could be used on mass level to improvise barren land.
l Jatropha could be easily grown from stem and seeds.
l It grows extremely fast.
l Within 2 years of plantation, it starts to produce seeds and keeps on producing until the age of 50 years.
l For one hectare of plantation, depending on density and quantity, 3-10 tonnes of Jatropha seed could be obtained.
l Jatropha is a plant with many uses, its skin produces tannin, and various parts have different medicinal properties. The oil produced by jatropha seeds has various medicinal properties.
l The latex of jatropha contains an element jatrophene which is ’Anti-Cancerous’. The extract from the leaves is used to cure piles and raw leaves help in cleaning teeth and other dental problems.
l Jatropha oil is strongest substitute for diesel. Apart from this it is used for producing soap, candles and cosmetics.
l While burning, jatropha does not emit fumes, hence in rural areas it is used for lighting purposes.
l In China jatropha oil is used for making varnish.
l The skin and leaves of jatropha are used in making dye.
Add comment July 30, 2008
Fuel Price Hike – Impact and Implications
Fuel Price Hike – Impact and Implications
The government has recently raised the price of fuel: diesel and kerosene prices have been increased by 37.5 per cent to 55 taka a litre (0.26 gallon) and petrol prices by 34 per cent to 87 taka a litre; furnace oil jumped by 50 percent, while a cylinder of gas used for cooking went up by 66 percent. The government view is that it is not affordable to sell petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas at subsidized rates fixed at the time when oil cost 60 dollars a barrel against the present oil price at over 140 dollars a barrel.
However, the move is contested by some quarters, especially given that it is seen as already having a negative impact on many aspects of life. To know more about the implications ET contacted the following experts and trade bodies.
Economist Abul Barakat takes the long view that the fuel price hike will affect all sectors of the economy. We usually import 38 lakh metric tons of crude oil, out of which 27 lakh metric tons are used for making diesel, 5-6 lakh metric tons for making octane and the rest for making furnace oil and other types. Moreover we are using 100% of what we import, which means our High Price Vulnerability Index rate is 100%. As a result, the industries that are mostly dependent on fuel will be affected more. Raw material transportation cost will increase production cost and ultimately product price will go up. On the other hand consumers’ income levels remain stable.
Barakat further points out that within the total transportation network 8.5 lakh vehicles are running on diesel. So eventually transportation costs will increase leading to a fall in the standard of living. Before, we needed to count Tk.800 to get goods transported from Savar to Dhaka by using a truck. After the fuel price was increased, according to the govt. estimation the rent rate should have been Tk.820 per truck, but in reality it is Tk.1200. “Usually govt. makes judgement on the basis of academic study,” he observes.
The agriculture sector will also be affected and very alarmingly so, he cautions. Approx. 30% diesel is used for irrigation, 50% for fertilizer production and the rest for small power generation. So, agricultural production costs will rise, directly impacting on the consumers, especially fixed income groups.
K.A.S. Murshid, Research Director, BIDS, says we are already suffering for rolling food prices, the price of rice having nearly doubled over the past year. Now because of the increase in fuel price agricultural and industrial product price will go up, transportation cost will increase and so will our living cost. In fact, we will see a ripple effect on our life. He thinks the worst to suffer will be the middle income group, who will find it hard to adjust to the rocketing inflation.
As an example of the effect of the rise in fuel price, Murshid says for transporting rice from Dinajpur or Rajshahi to Dhaka an extra amount of approx. Tk.1.30 per kg will have to be paid. However he observes globally fuel price has increased so it is logical to increase the price of fuel in our country. But then he emphasizes that the government should control inflation in a sustainable manner. There have always been anomalies in government estimates. “To save our economy from harm government needs to take some balancing strategy. But it is difficult for a non-political government to manage economy.”
Dr. Mahabub Hossain, Executive Director, BRAC, warns that the increased fuel price will have an adverse effect on Amon crop production cost, since 80% of the total irrigation process is dependent on diesel. He urges the government to provide subsidy on diesel for agriculture. And to ensure that farmers get the full benefit of the subsidy subsidized fuel should be provided on time.
Mahabub also points out urban people’s transportation cost will increase, both for road and river transport. Government needs to monitor bus operators to ascertain whether they charging more than the state-set fares (Government raised bus fares by 20 percent to Taka 1.08 per kilometre). Although initially there will be problem, he hopes people will eventually get used to the situation.
BGMEA
BGMEA fears the garment industry and its subsidiaries will be directly affected by the hike in fuel price. At present BGMEA members (2,800 garment factories) need 400 litres of diesel a day on average. For this and transportation, production cost will increase by 15%-17%, Tk.50 crore extra every month.
DCCI
According to the Chamber, increase in the price of diesel, kerosene, petrol and octane will affect the economy directly or indirectly, especially the agriculture and industrial sector. The cost of living will increase and the living standard of fixed earner groups (lower and middle class) will go down. Increase in production costs and decline in living standards will have an adverse effect on the relationship between labourers and factory owners. The Chamber urges the government to discuss measures with businessmen and entrepreneurs to keep the fuel price within a reasonable range. Moreover it suggests building two strong taskforce teams for ensuring fuel and food security.
ET Report by Kazi Rokon Uddin
Add comment July 30, 2008
Government of Bangladesh’s Energy Division’s Feasibility Study has Recommended Cultivation of Jatropha Trees in Bangladesh
This study was published over a year ago, why is the government waiting? Especially with the rising prices of Crude Oil and the fact is Bangladesh’s needs increase continually. Currently Bangladesh’s need is costing the country large amounts of foreign currency. The decision time is here, studies have been done and a project is being run successfully in Mymensingh by BioFuel Development Company. The question remains when the GoB will decide to help its people by giving them another way to increase their means which will probably bring lower fuel prices to the country as well.
Jatropha curcas biodiesel
It can be poor people’s
good source of income
M. Abdus Salam
Jatropha curcas is a plant grown in central America that produces oil-bearing nuts which can be pressed to produce fuel oil similar to diesel. Jatropha is an important feedstock for the production of biofuels. Its widespread use in India and Egypt is gaining popularity as a quick growing source of oil-bearing nuts that can be pressed to produce biodiesel products.
Jatropha has also been a crop of choice in development programmes in Africa where local villages have grown Jatropha on small plots of land and have hand-pressed the oil for use in generators, sewing machines, flour mills and diesel engines. Bio-diesel can be blended with 20 per cent normal diesel. As a result the dependence on imported fuel can be reduced by quite a wide margin.
Good fuel
It is also a good fuel for household lamps and stoves. These facts indicate that landless hard core poor people of Bangladesh who lives in the rural areas or char areas has a chance now to enhance their livelihoods. They can cultivate Jatropha in khas lands and extract oil from its seeds. This oil will save their cost of household fuel for lamps and stoves. They can also make soap at home and earn by selling them to the local market. They can also sell the Jatropha oil in the local market as a biofuel for diesel engines. Barren khas land, which is available in vast amount in the char areas of Bangladesh, can be used to eradicate poverty by Jatropha cultivation.
Glycerin, a byproduct of Jatropha oil, can also be used to produce soap. Jatropha has also been proven to have strong anti-erosion qualities which make it suited for use in Haiti. A recent study on watershed preservation commissioned by USAID this year reinforced this fact, adding that it was more effective than the tree-planning efforts that have been used to help reforest Haiti.
We know that energy is a matter of national security as the volatile Middle East affects the world supply with most developing countries struggling with heavy oil import costs. For many countries, the question of trying to achieve greater energy independence one day through the development of biofuels has become one of when rather than if, and, now almost every day a biofuel programme is being launched somewhere in the developing world.
Jatropha curcas originates from Central America and was distributed by Portuguese seafarers via the Cape Verde Islands to countries in Africa and Asia. It is a drought-resistant plant which is widely cultivated in the tropics as a living fence. The seeds are toxic to humans and many animals. Since it is not consumed by animals and it is not tasty to human, it is safe. The Jatropha plant is a small tree or large shrub which can reach a height of up to 5 m. Pollination is by insects. A non-toxic variety exists in Mexico which is used for human consumption after roasting. The life-span of the Jatropha curcas plant is more than 50 years.
The most interesting and economically viable use of the Jatropha oil is soap production. Jatropha gives a very good foaming white soap with positive effects on the skin, partly due to the glycerin content of the soap. Jatropha oil is used for soap production on an industrial scale in India. Soap production from oil is a very simple process. It is an appropriate technology for villages, where the entire value added then benefits the village community. Selling the soap for the same price as industrially manufactured soap brings a high profit for seed harvesting, oil extraction and soap production.
Caustic soda is a limiting factor for soap production in rural areas. All other necessary tools or material can be found at village level. Caustic soda should thus be available in all district towns and in the shops of the bigger villages. A list with the addresses of shops where caustic soda is available should be prepared and distributed in the districts.
The biodiesel association in Malawi has been contracted to implement a Jatropha curcas planting programme by D1 Oils Africa (Pty) Limited, headquartered in the United Kingdom. We are currently on a nationwide campaign sensitizing rural communities through district commissioners, senior chiefs, and right now we have already conducted meeting with over 600 chiefs, said the Biodiesel Agriculture Association Director of Operations Osman Ibrahim in an exclusive interview with ENS in the commercial industrial hub of Kanengo in Lilongwe.
Ibrahim is a former Emergency Operations Coordinator for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Mozambique where he initiated the food for work program. Ibrahim said, The program has secured substantial land rights through contract farming amounting to 13,000 hectares to plant Jatropha.
Notable points
Here are some points to be noted on this crop:
* After the first five years, the typical annual yield of a jatropha tree is 3.5kg of beans.
* Jatropha trees are productive for up to 30-40 years.
* 2,200 trees can be planted per hectare (approx 1,000 per acre).
* 1 hectare should yield around 7 tonnes of seeds per year.
* The oil pressed from 4kg of seeds is needed to make 1 litre of biodiesel.
* 91%+ of the oil can be extracted with cold pressing.
* 1 hectare should yield around 2.2-2.7 tonnes of oil.
* Press cake (seedcake) is left after the oil is pressed from the seeds. This can be composted and used as a high grade nitrogen rich organic fertilizer (green manure). The remaining oil can be used to make skin friendly soap.
* Bio-diesel can be blended with 20 per cent normal diesel. As a result the dependence on imported fuel can be reduced by quite a wide margin.
According to a news item published in Dhaka on 22 March, the Energy Division’s feasibility study has recommended cultivation of Jatropha trees in Bangladesh.
Add comment July 21, 2008
Tourism and the Economy
While the author here does make some valid points in his article found in this month’s Executive Times pointedly titled, “Tourism: The Next Driving Sector of Bangladesh Economy“, questions remain unaddressed. Is Bangladesh ready by and large to receive international tourists? Are our tourist attractions ready? Most assuredly, I don’t think so. Many areas lack accommodations. Even the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation website needs a great deal of work. Hotels for many areas are not listed. The ones that are give no indication of the amenities available there. I mean there is a big difference in the quality of service from Hotel Sheraton Dhaka and say, Hotel Fortune Garden in Sylhet (which isn’t even mentioned on their site, but is a great place to stay in Sylhet). Then you click on their link for non BPC Hotels Bangladesh Online Hotel Directory and in most areas it is blank. So, where is the incentive?
Secondly, to build this tourism economy he speaks of, Bangladesh needs a new image. I know I’ve said it before, but here it comes again. The world over, Bangladesh is seen as a country of poverty, flood, famine, and micro credit. This the image that comes to most people when you mention Bangladesh. So the tourism industry needs a new image for Bangladesh. Many Asian countries are doing this, “India, Incredible India”, “Malaysia, Truly Asia” and their are many more. Bangladesh could easily become, “Bangladesh: the Heart of Asia!”
So, while it could be that the author, Mr. Shahid Hamid has the right idea, we have work to do, yet. Congratulations, on a great article, Mr. Hamid.
The last decade has seen Bangladesh go through some major revolutions in all aspects: economic, social, cultural are just some of the first few areas. Be it the modernization of our education system, the trend in the job market composition, the infrastructural development or whatnot — we, Bangladeshis, adapted to these changes with superb aplomb. And the end result has been most productive. The bad news is that we have a tendency of waiting for the next person to take the first step or for disaster to strike us before struggling through the repercussions. Even worse so, we tend to fall into a stagnant pattern when someone hands us a boon with a sigh of relief that we did not have to seek a better alternative. In other words, we are a society of languid people who make the pretence of being preoccupied with “more important” things.
This has to change. Forums, agencies, associations, the numerous talks and meetings and round tables, the large organizations and the ministry all profess their devotions to the change for a better future, but where is the proof of their work? With the turn of the new millennium, the nation saw the creation of the National Tourism Council (NTC) headed by the Prime Minister and advised by the Committee of Tourism under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, in cooperation with Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC). So many impressive organizational bodies after one goal. The group held its first meeting in May 2000 to plan the development process of implementing sustainable tourism in the country. What was the result of all this? In 1998, Cambodia received 96,000 tourists; that year Bangladesh received 150,000 tourists. In 2006, Cambodia received about 2,000,000 tourists and Bangladesh, 200,000. Cambodia earned a whopping US $1 billion that year in comparison to Bangladesh earning a mere US $89 million. It goes to show that we failed miserably to learn from our surrounding nations.
The problem is that no one is producing goal oriented implementations. Our nation has all the attractions to be a formidable competitor to other Asian countries who earn a high percentage of export revenue from tourism. We are no less “incredible” than India and no less “truly Asia” than Malaysia. Yet, whereas the tourism receipt as a percentage of export earning for India in 2005 was 7.1% and Malaysia 19.8%, for Bangladesh it was only 2.1%. The secret behind India and Malaysia’s much higher revenue is their active campaign in the past few years promoting their national wonders abroad. The fact that Bangladesh has been left behind in this aspect is that our nation’s lack of tourism campaign is no secret. But from the hill tracts of Rangamati to the long sandy beaches of Cox’s Bazaar, from the Royal Bengal Tiger of our piece of the Rain Forest Sundarban to the Terracotta Temples of Bogra, we have a nation that is rich in all its natural glory and social culture alike.
At the moment, our main focus towards foreign earning is the textile, RMG, and leather sector, whereby we are mostly dependent on FDI capital to support these industries. Yes, granted that these industries generate high employment and contribute 72% to our GNP, but is it not time for us to move out of the shell of being a developing country and become self sufficient for the well being of our nation as a whole and as individuals? And while the manufacturing industry has done a lot to benefit our economy in the last decade, if there is one sector that can generate economic growth from all facets, it is TOURISM.
There are 10 million Non-Residential Bangladeshis throughout the world, and yet their remittance can easily be arranged right here on our home ground. The Tourism & Hospitality industry involves many branches of operations under its umbrella, from the lodging and traveling of visitors to the manufacturing of local handicraft products and providing of communication facilities. It gives birth to making room for many foreign organizations that would not have previously bothered opening up shop in our country, such as the sudden surge of the airlines agencies in Bangladesh like Etihad and Best Air Aviation. In recent years, huge orders for aircraft have been placed internationally and now we may partake in the scoop as well.
Because tourism is such a vastly diverse industry linked to many other industries, it generates increase in the GDP without even batting an eye. It brings in foreign currency through the export of services in the forms of hospitality and travel, and through the selling of commodities when foreign visitors purchase local products to take back home as souvenirs. It generates employment for the local populace as it instigates the mushrooming of many new trades and their respective organizations. It puts the country in the international limelight when visitors take back the good word of mouth with them to their home nations. All this without sending out our labor force abroad to spend our national income there. And it is perfect for Bangladesh because ours is also a country of amiable folks and because labor force is a resource we have in abundance.
Now that we have discussed thoroughly the benefits tourism can reap for us, we should back our qualitative statements with some relevant statistics, though accurate statistics is rare in our culture. If we take the recent rise of hotels in the country into account, we have a potential hospitality turnover that can be estimated to be more than some US $450 million. Simply the outbound ticketing revenue in 2006 for Bangladesh was over US $356 million, and in an average scenario that makes only 25% of the travel industry revenue. If we take into Lodging and Conveyance, Food Consumption, Shopping, and Miscellaneous into revenue account, we have a potential industry of tourism and hospitality that is worth over US $1.5 billion. Last year, Bangladesh incurred its highest ever outbound travelers at 289,000 heads counted, and United Nations World Trade Organization estimated there to be over 8 billion travelers to be incurred in 2008. The potential GDP that this estimation can serve us if we are able to slice into this pie boggles the mind. With such potentials awaiting us, it is a crime simply to remain a poor nation.
The expectation from the neutral government when it showed an initial assertiveness to stamp out corruption and hurl the nation into an upsurge of economic activity was that perhaps this would be the time when growth of the nation would be instigated with renewed vigor. That hope was dashed when the neutral government became obsessed with bringing justice to political lawbreakers and let the economy tilt to woe. Yet, it would not have been hard to stimulate the economy out of deficit with some minor tinkering on behalf of our tourism sector. We do not need a big wish list to bring about changes and bring in foreign guests. Basic infrastructure to provide physical communication to all parts of the nation, hygienic rest stops and guest houses, transport and civil security should be there simply to support the growing trend of local travelers. And one other thing that might be needed is vocational institutes to provide educated unemployed youths with the technical knowledge to provide them occupancy and keep them out of hardship and more negative alternatives, such as done to organize hospitality support in the Middle East, Europe and Australia or simply in our neighboring India and Malaysia.
The fact of the matter is that Tourism can open up many doors for our nation. It is not about generating more employment or for bringing home more foreign currencies or for higher GDP; it is for the economy as a whole that we need to shift the lion share of our concentration to Tourism. It is simply because this is one avenue that allows us to make a pot load of money and feed a truck load of mouths on international income without reaching out for aid or even leaving our national premises.
Shahid Hamid is the Managing Director and CEO of a newly established company, Hospitality Management Consultants (HMC). He is also the General Manager of Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort.
1 comment July 16, 2008
Global Warming: Light Dinner Party Banter Only?
This article in ICE Today Magazine intrigued me and troubled me,too! Are people really not that concerned about the serious plight Bangladesh will be in if we continue “Status Quo”?
The writer informs us that Global Warming is a brief two liner at cocktail parties here in Bangladesh. True that while many experts have published articles in the dailies and weekenders, we do not see the government coming out with any plans as to what preventive measures they are planning. That in itself should concern all of us. Comments are always welcome here.
ICE Today: http://www.ice-today.com/green_b.php
While global warming and its consequent rise in sea levels and floods heat up dinner conversations, the word ’sustainable cities’ still prompts responses like ‘Yes, right. So how was your party last night?’ In other words, we have only come to know global warming as a fashionable topic that is best saved for two-liners during dinner; in reality we may still have no clue about its prevention. Yes, switching off the air-conditioner or the computer during off-peak hours can prevent global warming. And thank you for not announcing loudly that CFC aerosols are banned in your house.
However, in the daze of making global warming a stylish issue during dinner conversations, we have probably failed to grasp the gravity of this phenomenon.
The fact that Dhaka is still advertised as the golden pot, shows the lack of interest and willingness on the part of city planners who have managed to mar the city’s resources in the name of promoting decent housing facilities. With city population increasing at an alarming rate, planners, developers and the government have to understand the dire consequences that increased migration can result in. Increased load-shedding, lack of water supply even in sub-urban areas like Gulshan and Uttara, endless traffic congestions and sixty-degrees tilting public buses are some of the signals of poor urban management. Scientists have already warned that if the city growth continues at such an alarming rate, our ecological balance will be adversely affected leading to further climate change issues.
SO WHAT’S ‘THE ANSWER’?
Simply stated, city planners have to be more holistic and careful in their approach. They have to realize that like all other cities, Dhaka also has a point of saturation. At this point in time, the city requires either a well thought out extension or a decentralization policy so that other major cities around Dhaka can share some of its burdens?
‘People have to realize that we have to move Dhaka out of Dhaka,’ Sadat Salim, the Managing Director of Rupayan Housing Estates told me. In fact, Sadat’s firm, Rupayan has become a pioneer in leading the city’s development. Their latest satellite town project is primarily targeted to reduce the pressures on the city’s resources.
Add comment July 14, 2008
Bangladesh: The Heart of Asia – - Step 1
How do we go about building a Bangladesh tourists will want to visit?
One of our closer neighbors and tourism hub is Dubai, Dubai Tourism Website Here is what it says about Dubai:
From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors.
The emirate embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area. In a single day, the tourist can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with windtowers to ultra-modern shopping malls.
The emirate is both a dynamic international business centre and a laid-back tourist escape; a city where the sophistication of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era.
But these contrasts give Dubai its unique flavour and personality; a cosmopolitan society with an international lifestyle, yet with a culture deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia.
Since earliest times, Dubai has been a meeting place, bringing together the Bedouin of the desert interior with the pearl-diver, the merchant of the city with the sea-going fisherman.
When you go to Bangladesh’s Tourism website, while it is informative http://www.bangladeshtourism.gov.bd when you click on tourist attractions all you get is beaches. Are beaches all that tourists want to know about?
Attractions could include:
* Village of Sonargaon (the historic capital of Banglaesh)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonargaon
* Mainamati (the Buddhist Temple ruins at Comilla)
http://tourist-in-bdesh.blogspot.com/2006/05/mainamati.html
* Tea Gardens of Moulvibazaar and Sylhet
http://www.grandazadhotel.com/Tourism-Bangladesh/tourism_sylhet.htm
* Acient Ruins of historic moguls in Barisal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barisal_District#Culture_and_Places_of_interest
* Sundarbans
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans
* The Island of St. Martin
* Ancient Architecture in Old Dhaka
Blog on Old Dhaka
On top of these is the network of villages across Bangladesh, all full of smiling children waiting to welcome any visitor. Bangladesh Tourism Organization must begin to promote the friendly, warm, and happy image of Bangladesh. Truly Bangladesh is the Heart of Asia. We just need to tell and show the world.
Smiling Village Children
Add comment July 7, 2008
The Rising Cost of Fuel
This morning we are all awaking to the rising cost of fuel, where is the solution? There is only one, Bangladesh must become a petroleum producing country and the only way for that to happen is by going green. Utilize the wasteland that is unable to support food crops and plant Jatropha Curcas and within two years Bangladesh can begin to supplement its imported oil with bio fuel. We already have company ready to lead the way, BioFuel Development Company Bangladesh has begun a project in Uttara, Valuka and within a year’s time the plants there will begin to bear oil filled fruit. That project is only a demonstration model. Bangladesh only needs 2.5 hectares to become a petroleum producing nation that would not only free us from the cost of imported petroleum, but also make us an exporter. The path is clear. What are we waiting for?
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Add comment July 1, 2008
