THE I toiled Neftona every year observe n number of special days highlighting issues of global significance for a better tomorrow These are focused on Food. Human Rights etc Following this iradltton June 5th will be observed as the World Environment Day.

Last yr,ar the theme of the environment day was 'One world One family" and this year the slogan is "We are united to save our environment . The main purpose of these themes is to Increase our awareness on the signlfl . cance of the issue focusing the ' world today. Almost ail of us are more concerned about our • environment today than we were before After the UN-or-ganised world summit on environment in the year 1992 at Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil, a new awakening has taken place towards i he gradual degradation of our environment. As a major cause towards this degradation the third world countries’ booming increase of population , is being cited as the main cause of deterioration of the Global Environment. On the other hand Third World countries mention that not the population growth, but the unequal distribution of resource allocations and unregu-- lated industrialisation to be the main cause.s of destruction of the Global Environment. Amidst such controversies heads , of states and representatives of 158 countries throughout the world have signed the Agenda-'21 which laid out plans for saving the world from further > degradation of the pnvtron-- ment during the' coming } century.

Our life style also has contributed to the green house effect causing the cfepletlon of the ozone layer and thermal disorder. Rich and developed countries, are dumping waste within the trans-boundary limits of the poorer nations. In the name of exporting fertilizer the richer nations are dumping harmful chemicals at many countries of the third < world. ■ '

In Bangladesh remarkable , events have taken place since thejibservance of the last environment day. Of these, the • progress In activities of the NE MAP (National Environment , Management Action Plan! towards formulation of a national policy on environment is noteworthy. Yet practical problems of implementation continue to exist when we find that brick fields are still burning wpod. Our neighbouring country s obstruction of waterflow is causing desertification of land, lowering the under-. ground water level etc. All these are also causing low yield in our crop production & depletion of forest resources. In spite of all these we continue to dream for a brighter future.

The area of our country is 1.47.570 sq. km and the population Is 120 million (approx ).

rate of literacy is very low. Mil -lions are unemployed. Very few of our people have access to modern means of energy like oil and electricity. Hence wood is being substituted for energy while cattle manure Is serving the purposes of fuel instead of fertilizer.

The problems are enormous. With its limited resources the government alone cannot tackle such issues. Many non government organisations hence have come forward to compliment government's efforts. Rangpur Dlna-jpur Rural Services (RDRS) Is one such NOO. RDRS has been working for poverty alleviation In the 6 districts. 28 thanas and 248 unions in the northern part of Bangladesh for the past 23 years. Over 0.2 million families are Its beneficiaries. Side by side its efforts in eradication of poverty, the organisation is also working towards preservation of environment through creation of awareness among the masses. Last year, severe drought hit the entire working area of the organisation. With the British ODA grant RDRS became the pioneer IjGO In quickly moving into the area to tackle the situation and help the people.

46.250 devastated families were provided cash for work. 25.500 distressed men and women education. 6.897 families were assisted In home gardening, 50 ponds were re-excaVated for fish cultivation. 7,850 families were given .credits for multifarious productive purpose.

Drought combined with scarcity of fertilizer, seed and inadequate irrigation is deter-

mined to affect coming harvest resulting in shortage in overall foodgrain production. To cops with this Impending crisis RDRS lias undertaken a second phase of programmes for the coming three months. This is being implemented from 1st May to the 30th July 1995. The programme includes emergency help to 24.120 devastated families. Involving women of 18.520 affected families. The programme also includes healthcare & nutri-Uon assistance to 5.600 poor women and 16.800 children. On the other hand during the excessively harsh winter RDRS distributed winter clothing over 2 million takas

Over the years RDRS has been constantly working towards building an awareness among Its beneficiaries in the use of organic fertilizer'gradually reducing dependency on chemical fertilizer for agriculture farming

RDRS has been one of the leading NGOS in tackling afforestation in the northern Bangladesh and last year the organisation has planted 6.30.000 fruits and timber trees on the both sides of the road including 2.79.000 mulberry trees. Through its programme of ensuing maximum survival of the plantations. RDRS regularly employs 'caretakers' from amongst distressed women of the localities on a three-year period using wheat on a daily wage basis. Presently 3.577 number of poor women are engaged In this task.

As a result of this a number of village-based nurseries have also developed in and around

the entire RDRS working areas. These are not only serving as Income generating activities for our beneficiaries but also encouraging the general public in taking initiatives on tree plantation an essential element in global upliftment of environment.

More than hundred ponds have been re-excavated where the group or federation of the poor formed by the organisation are employed in flsh-cul-ture.

The organisation also extends its services to the poor mass of 98 sandbars (chars) areas of Kurtgram district which Is outside its normal operational area. These sandbars seem to be a different world. It Is hard for a person to conceive the living condition of the people In these ar eas and the environment who has never been there. Electric light is still a wonder to these people. The solar energy panel, provided by the organisation. is a blessing of science extended to the char people. The power generated by each solar energy panel is just enough for two fluorescent tube lights and to run one 14" black & white TV. The main purpose of installing this panel In this remote area is to acquaint the people with solar energy production system and its use thereby reducing dependency on electric power, which is rare or nort-exlstent in many rural areas. RDRS' objectivity in introducing the solar panel In this area will be fulfilled once other agencies take cognizance of the need and benefit that it brings to the remote areas people.

couraging the use of bio gas as a alternate fuel for cooking. Fl nancial and technical assis tance as required in this field Is extended This has generated Interest in the people for use of more bio-gas. It is noticeable in different areas, especially in Thakurgaon

The people are also being encouraged to use tubeweil wa ter. The organisation also extends the needed support for Installing tubewells They are being inspired to use slab latrines manufactured by the organisation s trained group members so the area people avoid defecating in the open spaces As a result, a trend and Interest to use latrines has Increased dramatically In the minds of the people within the working area

RDRS believes and assumes as a responsibility to aware the people about environment with the small collectton of resources In doing so. we all need to step forward to assist the government In all its efforts. Only then the celebration of Work! Environment Day will be more significant and meaningful The environment there by of our motherland will be clean and more Joyful place of living.