The Sundarbans, a sanctuary for animals, is more affected by climate change than by human pollution. As the altitude is lower than the sea level, whenever the sea level rises, it directly affects the Sundarbans. The flow of fresh water in the forest is decreasing. Excess of silt and salt water in rivers is increasing. As a result biodiversity is facing severe loss. due to severe floods every year, the areas of Sundarbans are losing land due to erosion. land erosion has increased in the southern region. especially Cutka and Mandar Bari areas are being eroded and disappearing into the sea. By this, the habitat of the animals is shrinking. In addition to climate change, the rivers, canals and streams flowing through the beautiful forest are being polluted by humans in various ways. Due to the construction of infrastructure, pollution from ships, the amount of oil is increasing along with salinity in the river water which is a threat to life and nature.

According to a study, around 2010, the amount of oil per liter of water in Pashur River was the maximum of 10.8 milligrams. And now it has increased almost sixfold, to 68 mg. In addition, on December 9, 2014, the Sundarbans suffered massive damage due to the sinking of a tank carrying three and a half lakh liters of furnace oil. Later there were several incidents of shipwrecks of potash, coal and clinker in rivers flowing through the forest.

Excess salinity in water, storm surges are making it unsafe for animals to drink water inside the forest, the number and intensity of storms has increased compared to before, and animal reproduction is also being disrupted.

Professor of Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University. Monirul H Khan said, the Sundarbans environment is being irreparably damaged by humans.

An average of 3 to 5 tigers are killed by poachers every year. Poachers hunt tigers primarily for their skins and bones, which are sold for millions of rupees. In China and East Asian countries, the huge demand for tiger organs is increasing, and the world's endangered animals, the tigers, are dying. According to environmentalists, after 1975 the Sundarbans did not have any more tigers.

In 1999, up to 10 km around the forest was declared an 'Environmentally Critical Area' or ECA. And according to the Environment Protection Act, any type of factory is prohibited in ECA. Whereas in a document presented to the court by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change itself, it is said that 190 factories have valid permission to set up within 10 kilometers of the Sundarbans. The actual situation is more delicate. In the last eight to ten years, more than half a hundred heavy industrial companies have been established. These include hazardous factories like cement factories, LP gas plants, oil refineries, bitumen, sea food processing. And their liquid waste is dumped into the POSHUR river, which then flows into the Sundarbans, polluting the water and soil.

According to local fishermen, the reproductive capacity of fish has decreased compared to earlier. Many fish are almost extinct. Among them Pangos, Chakkhoda, Bangas, kaine, Medamash, Chakul/shapla pata, Armash, Gongune, Payra, Tade, Rayna, Bashpata fish, Gulemash, Chamogulo, Feshafish, Kharkull, Kaibol fish are notable.

Environmental activis Ram krishna claim that aquatic animals are disappearing due to illegal use of pesticides, poisoning and fishing in current nets.

The number of crocodiles has decreased. Birds are not seen in the forest like before. For example - Tarkael, Vulture, Fox, Crow, Darkak, Pecha, Snake, Dhade, Bugdasha, Tortoise, Madantak, Pankauri, Shankal, Pakch, Tia, Fye, Dharibak, Kuchbak Kolrob are no more. And all this is happening due to climate change and environmental pollution, said local environmentalists.

Meanwhile, in 2010, the St. Petersburg World Tiger Conference in Russia announced the doubling of the number of tigers, but Bangladesh has not been able to achieve that goal yet.

In this regard, Professor Monir H Khan said, the impact on the living environment of forest animals is damaging their foodchain, and thus the animals are becoming extinct. Which is an auspicious sign for animal diversity. If this continues, the country's economy will suffer along with the eco system and therefore the government must take necessary steps now.

Monir H Khan recommends taking adaptive measures to maintain the lifestyle of biodiversity. Along with that, he also talked about regular monitoring to prevent environmental pollution in the forest.

Mihir Kumar Do, forest conservator of Khulna region, said that they do not have any exact information regarding the biodiversity inside the forest. However, police personnel patrol the forest to prevent illegal activities.

Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Its area is 6 thousand 17 square kilometers. On February 4, 1999, an area of about one lakh 43 thousand hectares of forest was declared as a sanctuary for wildlife. However, due to natural calamities such as floods, landslides, river erosion, most of the local residents of the area are making a living by cutting trees in the forest, illegally fishing and damaging the nature of the forest in various ways. Therefore, the environmentalists also urges to government to make alternative arrangements for their livelihood.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Private Industries and Investment Salman F Rahman said the US visa restrictions against those responsible for obstructing Bangladesh's democratic election process will not have any impact on bilateral trade.

He said this while talking to reporters on current affairs after attending a conference on development planning in the capital on Saturday (September 23).

Referring to US visa restrictions as very good, Salman F Rahman said, I think it is very good. Action will be taken against those who obstruct the election. On behalf of the government, we have always said, yesterday the Prime Minister also said this in her speech at the United Nations. They are talking about fair elections. We want the same. We don't want to interrupt. There will be visa sanctions against those who obstruct fair and impartial elections.

He told reporters that they (the United States) have spoken not only of obstruction, but also of violence. You know, the main opposition party, they are openly saying that 'we will not allow the election'. They also said yesterday that they will not allow the election to be held under Sheikh Hasina. How not to let it happen? There is only one way to prevent it by violence. I think there will be sanctions against those who obstruct. It is very good. Donald Lu said in an interview that members of the opposition party, the ruling party and law enforcement agencies will take action against those who stand in the way.

He said that the US State Department has said that the sanctions are coming, that there are opposition parties, government parties and members of the law enforcement agencies. So everyone is on the list. Let's see, whose name comes!

In response to the question whether the credibility of the election will be questioned if the European Union does not send observers, he said, not at all. Whether to send observers is up to them. I will conduct my election according to the constitution.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned that if anyone from outside Bangladesh tries to disrupt the election, the people will counter-sanction them.

She gave this warning at the ``Meet the Press'' event at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Friday night (September 22) local time.

The head of government said that the opposition has also been mentioned in the announcement of the implementation of the US visa policy. Now they (BNP) will not be able to do arson. It will save people's lives.

Sheikh Hasina said, it doesn't matter who gave the ban and who didn't. My son is also here. He is doing business, he is married, he has a daughter, he has property, he has a house. If canceled, will. It doesn't matter. We have Bangladesh.

She said, there is also a question about the election of those who have banned. There is nothing to say if Awami League is targeted through visa policy. I did not come to power by believing in anyone's power. I came to power and am dependent on the people.

Addressing the United States, she said, have they forgotten the illegal elections of 2001, the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975, the illegal seizure of power, the yes-no vote? Where was their awareness of this election?

The Prime Minister said that Awami League has given the right to vote and rice. 'I will give my vote to whomever I want' is my slogan.

Note that on December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and its former officials in Bangladesh. Then on May 27 this year, the country announced a new visa policy for Bangladesh. About five months later, on Friday (September 22), US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the United States has begun enforcing visa restrictions against those who obstruct the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

The ban includes law enforcement agencies, members of the ruling party and members of opposition political parties, the statement said. Family members of persons covered by the visa ban may also be included.

In this regard, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told the media that the names of those who will be subject to visa restrictions will not be disclosed. This is confidential information under US law.

He said the visa ban was imposed only after a thorough review of the evidence. This visa policy applies not only to Election Day, but to the entire democratic election process.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on the world leaders to work together for the welfare and economic prosperity of mankind by avoiding the path of war and conflict.

She made this call in her address to the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations on Friday (September 22).

The Prime Minister said, appeal to world leaders to avoid war, sanctions and conflict. Work for lasting peace, human welfare and economic prosperity for our people and future generations. Being oppressed me and a witness to the brutality of war and killing, I can feel the pain and suffering that people endure due to the horrors of war, killing, insurgency and conflict.

She said, we must make a collective effort to face common challenges to build a safe, peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all. For this, we must choose unity, solidarity and multilateralism over division, parochialism and isolation. To achieve peace and sustainable prosperity, we must pursue principles of justice, equity and fairness, based on the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda.

Sheikh Hasina said, after the formation of the government in 2009, we have invested heavily in the establishment of inclusive and modern democracy for the welfare of people to make the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a reality. We have been able to transform Bangladesh from a lower middle income country to an upper middle income country through practical policy making, far reaching thinking and investment. We have reduced the poverty rate from 41.5 percent in 2006 to 18.7 percent in 2022 and the extreme poverty rate from 25.1 percent to 5.6 percent. We have made steady progress towards achieving the SDGs, continuing Bangladesh's success in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, like other countries in the world, Bangladesh has also faced serious challenges in this regard. The coronavirus, various man-made crises and natural disasters have compounded the challenges manifold. For that reason, we welcome the successful hosting of the UN SDG Conference this year and the political declaration adopted at it. Despite some limitations, we believe this political declaration will accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda.

Referring to the issue of SDGs, the Prime Minister said that financing is an important regulator in achieving the SDGs within the stipulated time. But it is not very unfortunate that the existing international financial infrastructure is not compatible with the goals, nor is it capable of meeting the financial needs of developing countries in times of crisis. Today we urgently need an international financial infrastructure that will help developing countries raise money at special concessions, at low costs, at low interest and with minimum conditions. In addition, developing countries should have equitable access to the IMF's SDR funds during emergencies and disasters. All loan arrangements should include special provisions regarding natural calamities. We sincerely thank the UN Secretary-General for proposing a 500 billion stimulus package. We demand speedy implementation of this proposal.

She said, in achieving the SDGs, we have given serious consideration to ending discrimination against women. Bangladesh is committed to ensuring women's empowerment and gender equality and fulfilling expectations within the stipulated time. We have given special importance to overall education including women's education. Free textbooks are being distributed to students from 2010 to secondary level. Stipends, scholarships and one-time grants are being given to about 2 crore 53 lakh students from primary to higher education level. More than half of them are women. A total of 30 percent of our national budget is allocated for social and economic empowerment of women. In politics, we have ensured women's representation at all levels of government, from the highest to the lowest. We aim to ensure 50 percent participation of women in every sector by 2030. To achieve this goal, we are working to eliminate child marriage, violence against women, trafficking in women and other crimes through the formulation of appropriate laws and their proper implementation. We support all international initiatives for the advancement of women through the UN General Assembly's 'Platform for Women Leaders'.

The Prime Minister also said that this year we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this occasion, we must reaffirm our commitment to global humanity and take collective initiatives to ensure equality, justice and freedom for all. Also, it must be ensured that the protection of human rights is not used to create political pressure on developing countries. The constitution of Bangladesh guarantees fundamental human rights to all. Bangladesh's legal system has undergone significant reforms in the last decade to provide legal protection and justice to all. As a responsible state, we are fully committed to protecting people's human rights. As an elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, we work with other members to protect the human rights of countless people around the world. Today in this session I want to unequivocally declare that Bangladesh will ensure democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression in the light of the constitution.

Throwing light on the Rohingya crisis, Sheikh Hasina said, qne million Rohingya forcibly displaced from MyanmarI I am drawing your attention to the community. Last month marked six years since the Rohingya were displaced. We have temporarily sheltered them for purely humanitarian reasons. But the situation has become really unbearable for us now. The prolonged presence of Rohingyas in Bangladesh has had a serious impact on Bangladesh's economy, environment, security and socio-political stability. Uncertainty over repatriation has led to widespread frustration among the Rohingya population. This situation can fuel potential radicalization. If this situation continues, it may affect our regional and international security and stability. The displaced Rohingyas want to return to their home country of Myanmar and live a peaceful life there. Let us ensure the return of these destitute people to their own country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started her speech at 11:22 pm Bangladesh time on Friday. Sheikh Hasina addressed the UNGA session for the seventeenth time in Bengali, following in the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech on September 25, 1974. The theme of this year's UNGA is 'Rebuilding Trust and Rebuilding Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals for Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All.'

Incidentally, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New York on September 17 to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and other high-level events. She will leave New York for Washington on September 23 and stay there until September 29. She will leave for London on September 29 after completing her visit to Washington. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will stay there till October 3 and will return home on October 4.

Bangladesh Awami League presidium member and re-elected mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation AHM Khairuzzaman Liton commented that BNP will not be able to topple the AL government with this movement.

He said this while addressing as the chief guest at the first session of Jatiya Sramik League, Rajshahi District and Metropolitan Tri-Annual Conference-2023 at Rajshahi Medical College Auditorium on Friday (September 22) afternoon.

Khairuzzaman Liton said that domestic and foreign conspiracies are underway to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to resign. But Bangabandhu's daughter has a father's determination. We notice that she is overcoming one obstacle after another. No matter how much BNP says they will continue non-stop agitation after fifteen days, which they have been doing for the last 7 years, it is never going to succeed. But why are they still saying this, are they not ashamed? They should have understood that the government cannot be overthrown in this movement; at least the Awami League government cannot be overthrown. For that reason, do not hesitate in anyone, everyone will be awake, what should be done at the call of Sheikh Hasina.

He said that the government is trying to create a field to export more than 10 items instead of depending only on the export of the garment industry. At present, Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to the developed world. Bangladesh is building ships, maybe this sector is not big now, but Bangladesh will build many more big ships in the future. The Prime Minister has also given importance to the freelancing sector. Many freelancers have already been created in the country. Many people are earning dollars by freelancing in Rajshahi. Bangladesh has now become the 35th largest economy in the world. In this way, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's dream is being realized by his most capable daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The inaugural president of the conference, Md Alauddin Mia, said that 70 percent of the people of the country think that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a popular person; people want to see her in power again. To continue the trend of development, we express our determination to build a smart Bangladesh by winning the ‘boat’ symbol candidates of Awami League. All those who will come to the leadership in Rajshahi district and metropolis will work unitedly to bring Awami League to power. I want to tell Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir of BNP that there is no use in scaring Awami League. People of Bengal are now very aware. People of Bengal think that Sheikh Hasina government is needed again and again.

Before this, the conference was inaugurated by releasing pigeons. Jatiya Sramik League, Acting President of Rajshahi Metropolitan Alhaj Md. Wali Khan presided over the conference and the executive president of Jatiya Sramik League Md. Alauddin Mia opened the conference. Bangladesh Awami League health and population sub-committee member and Jubo Mahila League member Anika Fariha Zaman Arna spoke as the main speaker at the conference.

After the first session of the conference, the second session of Jatiya Sramik League, Rajshahi District and Metropolitan Committee announced the dissolution of the existing committee and formed a new committee.

In the second session, Mahabub Alam (GPO) was elected as the President of Jatiya Sramik League, Rajshahi Metropolis and General Secretary Akhtar Ali (Railway) was elected as General Secretary. Besides, Zahurul Islam and Salim Reza Bayrun, Rasheduzzaman Rashed as Joint General Secretary and Afzal Hossain as Organizing Secretary were announced in the conference. Khairuzzaman Liton announced the names of newly elected leaders.