Mirsarai (Chittagong) Correspondent

Two batches of residential training on climate change adaptation have been successfully completed for teachers, youth representatives and students of Mirsarai and Sitakunda upazilas of Chittagong under the initiative of the "Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Sustainable Development Pathways of Bangladesh" project implemented by the Department of Environment with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and technical assistance from UNDP Bangladesh.

A total of 80 teachers, youth representatives, and students in two batches participated in the training organized at the YPSA-HRDC campus in Sitakunda from July 27 to 28 and July 29 to 30.

The training includes participatory and practical sessions on basic concepts of climate change and adaptation, local adaptation planning (LAPA), climate-smart agriculture, nature-based solutions, inclusive climate action, youth leadership and advocacy, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilient development at the local level.

The opening ceremony of the training was attended by the Director General of the Department of Environment and Additional Secretary to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman, as the chief guest. The Director of the Department of Environment, Chittagong Region, Jamir Uddin and the Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Fakhrul Islam were the special guests. The program was presided over by the Director of the Department of Environment and Project Director of the SD Pathways Project Md. Khaled Hasan.

Project Manager Pankaj Pal, Admin and Finance Associate Rabeya Akhter, and Training Consultants Amir Hamza and Zubair Islam conducted various technical sessions during the training. The overall coordination, organization, and communication of the program was handled by the project's District Coordinator Md. Wahid Hossain.

Chief guest Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman said, "Today's students will be the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, our main goal is to make them aware and skilled in reducing carbon emissions, preserving the environment, and climate adaptation."

Jamir Uddin, Director of the Chittagong Region, said, "It is very important to develop an aware and skilled young generation to deal with the effects of climate change. Students and the youth must play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and preserving the environment."

UNO Md. Fakhrul Islam said, "The participation of local people in climate adaptation is the most important. The upazila administration is working in coordination with all relevant organizations to implement disaster risk reduction, environmental conservation and sustainable development activities.

As the president, Project Director Md. Khaled Hasan said, "Building the capacity of teachers, youth, and students to address the challenges of climate change is one of our priorities. Such training will play an important role in building a climate-resilient society at the local level."