EDITORIAL : THE DAILY STAR, BANGLADESH

 

 

Transit deal with India

It must involve adequate homework from Bangladesh side

This paper has been consistently in favour of greater connectivity, regionally and inter-regionally. We are also for a wider scope for trade and commerce with India. As it is a vital and significant window of economic growth, we have all through remained a vocal supporter for a well thought out transit deal which will be win-win for both sides. We believe with adequate homework, transit can usher in a new era of bilateral relations between our two countries, serving as an example for others to emulate.

In view of the fact that transit is a highly complex, delicate and multi-faceted issue, Bangladesh must thoroughly prepare itself before signing any agreement. We must not jump into reaching a deal without properly examining its various aspects. Transit is an international phenomenon and there are many examples to learn from.

However those opposing any kind of transit agreement with India under any circumstances have, we feel, kept themselves in the dark about the advantages of economic linkage and in most cases they oppose it without understanding and thoroughly going into the subject at all.

The fundamental guiding principle in our negotiations on transit should be that the deal must bring maximum benefits to both sides with especial focus on Bangladesh as our economic challenges are enormous.

At this stage of the discussion we are forced to point out that public has been mostly kept in the dark on this issue. We must remember that in Bangladesh transit is as much, if not more, a political issue as it is an economic one. Therefore solid public support is a precondition for its durability, to gain which we must take the people into confidence and tell them about the advantages of transit. Keeping silent on the issues being negotiated, as we seem to be doing, is likely to be counter productive.

We want the whole discussion on transit to proceed expeditiously which must be backed by credible and in-depth examination of all the issues involved.

Saving coastal mangrove forests

Strong action needed

Despite the existence of a government ban on felling of trees until 2015, destruction of forests has been going on unabated. The Char Bestin mangrove forest in Patuakhali district did come under attack in broad daylight on Thursday. Villagers supported by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) were allegedly involved in cutting down some 5,000 trees from the mangrove forest.

Surprisingly, this has happened despite an instance of stopping a similar attempt at destroying a neighbouring mangrove forest on Char Kukrimukri by a High Court order. It appears, neither the existing government ban, nor the instance of the High Court's recent intervention could strike any fear in the hearts of the greedy loggers of the char in question.

One is surprised by the role of the Patuakhali district administration in this case. Its action to stop the said forest's destruction came rather late. It could also be learnt that the local administration had allocated a large swathe of the mangrove forest to some landless farmers. But were the settler beneficiaries also given the licence to plunder the forest with abandon? And how did the NGO, which has denied the allegation, as reported, got involved in the felling of trees in the first place? Was the entire incident of forest robbery going on without the knowledge of the administration? The administration owes an answer to all these question.

The forest department, too, cannot avoid its responsibilities. Apparently, they remained a passive observer when the country is being stripped off its precious green top cover relentlessly.

We hope the government would mount a prompt investigation into the Char Bestin case and bring the culprits to justice. In the same breath, we would also expect that strong action would follow in the future cases of forest robbery.