Sea level rise may be higher in Bangladesh than prediction
BSS, Dhaka

With the current level of continuation of human effects on climate, coasts of Bangladesh and India might experience higher sea level rise compared to mean level predicted for the planet.
Researchers from the University of Colorado of the United States found this in their new study, published in Nature Geoscience this week, leading science and development network SciDev Net said.
The same rise may occur in the mid Indian Ocean islands Mascarenhas archipelago, Indonesian and Sumatran coasts, but not in Maldives, east coast of Kenya and African Tanzania.
According to the fourth assessment report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) sea level on an average would rise by between 190 mm and 590 mm by the end of this century.
The study found that global sea level has risen during the past decades as a result of thermal expansion of the ocean and freshwater addition from melting continental ice.
However, the level of rise is not globally uniform as regional sea levels can be affected by changes in atmospheric circulation and oceanic circulation.
The study revealed that sea level has decreased substantially in the south tropical Indian Ocean whereas it has increased elsewhere because of the atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
On the basis of all-season records, there is no significant sea-level rise around the Maldives which might only experience substantial sea-rises during the winter monsoon, which might have significant impact on the country because of its low elevation, the study report said.
The study revealed that Zanzibar, a small African country in the Indian Ocean, could experience fall in sea rise, while Seychelles and the east coasts of Kenya and African Tanzania may see little or no rise.
The variations in sea-level rises at different parts of the world were known using observational and satellite data combined with climatic and ocean circulation models, including the results from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report, said Prof. Weiqing Han of Colorado 's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and lead author of the study.
He said the sea-level rise occurs in the south subtropical- mid-latitude basin, the eastern equatorial region, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Conversely, the Seychelles, east coasts of Kenya and Tanzania see little or no sea-level rise.
Prof. Han said mapping variations in regional sea level changes in different parts of the Indian Ocean could help developing countries better adapt to the effects of climate change.
The information will be crucial for effective risk assessments in future and help to inform adaptation and response options for human society, he said.
However, the extent of the variations has not been known till now, Han said adding along the coasts of the north Indian Ocean, tide-gauge data show an average rise of 12.9cm per century.

  DAE takes programme to popularize Ribbon Retting Method

BSS, Gaibandha

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken up a programme to popularize the Ribbon Retting Method in farmers' level to separate ribbon from the jute sticks and to rot those in the holes properly to get desired golden fiber.
Office sources said a total of 75,000 jute cultivators would be brought under this programme and they would be provided with 7500 ribbon retting machines; need base training, equipments, financial help and technological support from the department.
Under this method, the raw ribbon will be separated from the sticks through ribbon retting machines. Then, the separated ribbon will be kept under the water of polythene scattered big hole to decompose those properly, said an official of DAE.
In this process, there is no necessary of water body like pond, canal, and ditch and seasonal rain to rot the ribbon and to separate it from the sticks. Some decomposed water and a little urea fertilizer are used in the hole to rot the ribbon quickly, sources said.
On Tuesday afternoon, a motivational meeting organized by Fulchhari Upazila Agriculture Office on this method was held on the premises of Udakhali High School of the upazila in the district with farmer Sadrul Islam in the chair. Upazila Nirbahi Officer M. Jahidul Islam attended the function and addressed it as the chief guest.
Upazila Agriculture Officer M. Yousuf Rana Mondal in his speech elaborately briefed the farmers about the method and said a total of 8,025 jute growers of the upazila would be provided with need base training and Tk 200 each side by side with giving them ribbon machines from the department free of cost.
Later, the farmers curiously witnessed how to separate the raw ribbon from the jute sticks through ribbon machines and to keep those under the water of a big hole for decomposing.

  Certificate award
ceremony of BAF flight safety officers’ course held

BSS, Dhaka

The certificate award ceremony of 45 flight safety officers' course of Bangladesh Air Force was held at Flight Safety Institute (FSI) at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday.
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman attended the ceremony as chief guest and handed over certificates among the student officers, an ISPR press release said. Four officers from Bangladesh Air Force, one each from Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Indian Air Force and Turkish Air Force attended the course.
Squadron Leader Samrath Dhankar of Indian Air Force was awarded the "Chief of Air Staffs' Trophy" for his best performance in the course.
Speaking to the graduating officers on the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff said that their experience and sincere contribution to the field of safety would be tested by the incidents that would have happened but could be avoided by the timely anticipation and prompt action.
Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman advised them to share knowledge that they have acquired and exploit it further to refine their talent through dedication and innovative ideas in promoting safety.
Referring to the overseas student office's participation, he expressed his firm conviction that the mutual sense of solidarity and friendship would further be cemented in future through such participation. Earlier in his address of welcome, Officer Commanding of Flight Safety Institute Group Captain Muhammad Belal gave a brief resume on different courses conducted by FSI.

   BRTA realizes Tk 18.20 cr as revenue in Sylhet
BSS, Sylhet

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has realized Taka 18.20 crore as revenue during 2009-10 financial year in the district.
A source in the BRTA said the amount was realized from different sources including registration, ownership, fitness certificates, licence fees, taxes and road permits.
Abdus Sattar, assistant director of BRTA, said mobile courts under the BRTA, filed 102 cases against rundown vehicles and vehicles without fitness certificates. Of the cases, 65 were filed till June this year.
The BRTA also realized Taka 30,000 in fines from vehicles, he said.
As part of smooth traffic management, the BRTA decided to stop giving registration for autorickshaw from now on, as the number of such vehicles is higher than the required roads, said the source.

   10 injured in a factional clash of Jubo League over tender
UNB, Sirajganj

Two factions of Jubo League clashed over the submission of tender of Water Development Board, leaving at least 10 people injured on Tuesday.
Tuesday was the last date for submission of tender for supplying Geotex of Water Development Board involving Tk 65 lakh. A group of activists led by district Jubo League organizing secretary Selim Ahmed, submitted tender schedule at noon.
Another group, led by district Jubo League general secretary Advocate Abdul Hakim, locked in alternation with the rival faction at that time and at one stage a clash between two factions took place.
The half an hour clash later spread to other areas. On information, police rushed in, fired two rubber bullets and two rounds of canister shells and quelled the situation.
Of the injured, Swechchhasebok League leader Emdadul Haque Emdad was sent to Dhaka for treatment. Police held three people - Mamun Chowdhury, Hasan alias Mim and Mamunur-following the clash.
Meanwhile, the two groups in separate press conferences on Wednesday blamed each other for the clash.

   RAKUB disburses Tk 45.30cr agricultural loans
UNB, Chapainawabganj

Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) disbursed a Tk 45.31 crore as agricultural loans in the district in last fiscal year.
Abdus Samad, Zonal Manager of Chapainawabganj said RAKUB disbursed the loans among small and marginal farmers for cultivation of crops and vegetables, buying cows and buffaloes for tilling land, purchasing agricultural inputs, fish cultivation, setting up dairy farms and agriculture based industries and for implementing poverty alleviation projects.
He said, in the last year the bank disbursed Tk 45.31 crore among the 10,787 farmers in the district exceeding the target of Tk 44.90 crore. On the other hand, the bank realized outstanding loans worth Tk 45.34 crore exceeding the target of Tk 29 crore and it earned a profit of Tk 69.95 lakh, said the Zonal Manager.