Shahriar Shams

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management System in a Developing Country

This study represents a few basic steps of municipal solid waste management practiced in the six major cities of Bangladesh, namely, Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal, and Sylhet. A six-month field study was conducted to identify the solid wastes management steps such as storage at source, separation, on-site storage, collection, transportation, treatment, reuse, recycling, and ultimate disposal. This study addresses the role of the city authority to meet the demand of the city dwellers in solving this emerging socioenvironmental issue and the initiatives taken by some nongovernmental organizations and community based organizations. The problems and constraints of the solid wastes management system are also identified to find a sustainable management concept for the urban areas of Bangladesh.

Housing Problems for Middle and Low Income People in Bangladesh Challenges of Dhaka Megacity

In Bangladesh, 30 per cent of its total population is living in urban areas and by 2030 the rate of urbanization will be more than 40 per cent. There is a tremendous pressure of influx of people in Dhaka city. Current trend of urban migration is driven by rural poverty, river erosion and natural calamities forcing them to migrate to Dhaka city in search of better livelihoods. These newcomers floating people in the city end up sleeping in public places such as street corners, railway and bus stations as well as other available places including abandoned buildings. The existing infrastructure facilities developed in Dhaka megacity cannot cope with the minimum living requirements of this poor working class floating population. The Dhaka city is exposed to an array of urban problems that could not be discussed in one paper. This article explores the nature and pattern of housing developed under public sector and the policies and strategies that the Government of Bangladesh is pursuing particularly for the middle and poor class who are living permanently in Dhaka city in temporary shelters or on floating basis.

Agriculture Adaptation to Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam A Step towards Food Security

Globally, climate change is a reality and adaptation to it is now a necessity. It is evident from the Brunei meteorological data analysis that over the last 27 years, the mean annual rainfall has increased by 675 mm during 1985–2012. The mean annual temperature has also increased by 0.794°C during the last 30 years from 1978 to 2008. The standard of living is increasing with the advancement of new technologies and thus increasing the lifespan of individuals. The demand for food production will also increase and Brunei Darussalam relies heavily on import of various food grains, particularly rice having a self-sufficiency rate of only 5.06 per cent. The impact of increased demand for food production will be felt significantly in the agricultural sector. The study looks at the existing agricultural practice, the impact of climate change on agriculture and identifies the training needed for the farmers or agricultural workers to cope with theadverse impact of climate change. A case study was carried out to find the challenges the farmers are likely to face because of the climate change. It has been observed from the field survey that 76 per cent of the respondents involved in farming lack farming skills and experience especially those who are below the age of 30 while only a handful (3 per cent) of them have farming experience. The study reveals that agriculture activities require modification in order to cope with the climate change. A capacity-building process for agricultural adaption for Brunei Darussalam is proposed.

Food Security and Livelihood in Coastal Area under Increased Salinity and Frequent Tidal Surge

Food availability is a crucial dimension of food security in an agrarian society. It is largely realized through own food production of a specific society. Seasonality plays an important role in food security. This article analyzes the existing threat to food security and livelihood in coastal areas of developing countries, particularly in Bangladesh, with a focus on climate change and seasonality. There is persistent food shortage during the sowing season and the pre-harvest period. Food deficit remains high during mid-August to end of October (68–95 per cent) while it is the lowest in December (21 per cent). During the pre-harvest period, farmers have to invest a lot of money at a time though they cannot afford it. Evidence suggests that food loans are common among the poor or small farmers during the food deficit period or in the event of flood. Over 78 per cent of the respondents had taken loans from microfinance institutions and local individual moneylenders. Problem remains as salinity and overfishing has drastically depleted open-water fisheries. Reviving livelihoods still remain a challenge for the vulnerable households especially in areas where agricultural diversity is very limited. Therefore, alternative livelihoods initiatives such as homestead or community-based cage fishing, cash grant and training on non-farm activities of women and men, generating employment through public work programmes need to be in place to ensure food security and livelihood of vulnerable people living in coastal areas.