Year 14: Issue 46 October-December 2015

theNEW CEGISLET TESR Quarterly Newsletter of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS)

Upcoming Events

 National Dissemination Workshop on Capital and Pilot Dredging of River Regional Workshop on South-South Cooperation System of in Flood Management, Guangdong, China  CEGIS’ Annual Picnic  Innovation Seminar

Inside  Regional Workshop on South-South Cooperation in Flood Management  Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on “Bangladesh: Revision and Alignment of National Action Program with UNCCD 10 Years Strategic Plan and Framework”  Workshop on Drinking Water Security Engr Md Waji Ullah, Executive Director, CEGIS attended the workshop from Bangladesh in Polder Areas The Regional Workshop on GWP like Bangladesh, Cambodia,  Rising Sea Level: Observations and “South-South Cooperation in Flood , China, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Trends Management” is one of the Nepal, Kazakhstan, Sweden, France,  Feasibility Study of “Patuakhali - constructive and proactive approach and Japan were present as keynote Gopalganj 400 kV Transmission Line of the Global Water Partnership presenters on different issues. & Gopalganj 400/132 kV (GWP) to address the importance of Sub-station” The entire event had eight different and to draw more attention on flood  EIA Study for Sirajganj 225 MW sessions, spread over four as water management of the partner consecutive days. Executive Director Combined Cycle Power Plant Project countries. The workshop, (Dual Fuel- 3rd Unit) of CEGIS, Engr Md Waji Ullah “South-South Cooperation in Flood participated in this regional  Impact of ICT on Groundwater in Management” was jointly organized Bangladesh cooperation workshop as the by the Global Water Partnership spokesperson from Bangladesh. He  Traffic Impact Assessment and Future China and Global Water Partnership, presented a keynote paper on a case Traffic Modelling Sweden. The event was supported by from Bangladesh - “Community  Tobacco Cultivated Fields the Research Center on Flood and Based Flood Early Warning and Identification from Satellite images Drought Disaster Reduction (CDR), Information Dissemination System” in  River Behavioural Analysis in the Kosi International Association for the second session which, was on River Basin Hydro-Environment Engineering and ‘Flood forecasting, monitoring, early  5-day Training Program on GIS Research (IAHR) and WMO/GWP warning and responses’. Group conducted by CEGIS Associated Programme on Flood discussions were conducted in a well Management (APFM). The aim of the  constructed, participatory manner. Contracts and Agreements Signed workshop was to set a platform for between Various Agencies and Problems which could be identified, CEGIS the planners to work more closely opportunities that lay behind them together in the areas of common and suitable solutions that adequately interest of the region, which, by addressed them came out very consensus, is the issue of flood. The efficiently through group workshop also promoted formulation presentations after every session. of a podium for sharing of experience There was a field visit to the Foshan and knowledge, and exchanging of City to observe the water other forms of development resources Center for Environmental and management situations and flood on flood. One of the major agenda of Geographic Information Services management project on the Pearl this workshop is to initiate a step in (A Public Trust under the Ministry of Water Resources) River. The participants were warmly House 6, Road 23/C, Gulshan 1, 1212 establishing a framework of received by the Director General of Bangladesh collaboration for enhancement of the Foshan Water Resources Bureau as Phone: 88 02 58817648-52; 9842581, 9842551 regional cooperation. Participants well as attained with imperative Fax: 880-2-9855935, 8823128 from different country, partners of Email: [email protected], Web: www.cegisbd.com (More on Page 2 ...) Year 14 Issue 46 Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on “Bangladesh: Revision and Alignment of National Action Program with UNCCD 10 Years Strategic Plan and Framework”

Participants at the workshop Bangladesh is a signatory to the United of Environment and Forests is finalize them. A number of Nations Convention to Combat implementing a project titled professionals from relevant Ministries, Desertification (UNCCD). As a Party to “Bangladesh: Revision and Alignment Government organizations, NGOs, the UNCCD, every country is obliged of National Action Program (NAP) with academicians and development to prepare a National Action Plan UNCCD 10 Years Strategic Plan and partners participated in the workshop. (NAP). The Government of Framework”. Engr Md Waji Ullah, Executive Bangladesh has drafted the first Participation of relevant stakeholders Director, CEGIS, graced the occasion National Action Programme (NAP) in was ensured in all the different steps of as the Special Guest and Mr QSI 2005 to address the land degradation, the process for preparation of the NAP. Hashmi, Additional Director General drought and desertification issues. Six regional workshops were arranged (ADG), DoE chaired the workshop. Dr Since the formulation of NAP, the at the divisional levels, and two S K Ghulam Hussain, Team Leader of socio-economic and environmental stakeholders’ consultation workshops the study presented the Draft Report of conditions of the country have been at the national level were organized NAP. The participants gave their changed while new issues have jointly by DoE and CEGIS. The valuable suggestions and comments evolved. Therefore, updating of NAP Second Stakeholders’ Consultation on the Draft Report in the interactive has become essential to address the Workshop of the Project was arranged feedback session. The report will be Desertification, Land Degradation and on September 21, 2015 at the finalized through incorporating the Drought (DLDD) issues under the Chameli Conference Room, DoE, comments and feedbacks received changing situation. Meanwhile, the Agargaon, Dhaka. The key objective from the participants. It is underscored Secretariat of UNCCD formulated the of the workshop was to share the Draft that NAP would be the key instrument 10-year strategic plan and framework Report on NAP new projects and in maintaining and restoring land and to enhance the implementation of the programs suggested to address land soil productivity and to mitigate the Convention for 2008-2018 around degradation and desertification in effects of drought and desertification in the globe in a consistent manner. Bangladesh and accordingly, receive Bangladesh following the guidelines of Therefore, the Department of feedback from the participants to UNCCD. Environment (DoE) under the Ministry Workshop on Drinking Water Security in Polder Areas CEGIS has successfully completed two workshops on drinking Director of CEGIS, along with the study team from CEGIS and water security with financial support from Bangladesh Water representatives from BWP were present in both the workshops. Partnership (BWP). The aims of these two workshops were to The participation of the affected local stakeholders - youth disseminate the understanding of the challenges of drinking and women from the selected polders and the representatives water security, and responsibilities of youth and women in the from different GOs and NGOs (UNO, Upazila Parishad selected coastal polders of south-west region of the country. Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, officials from UHFPO, BWDB, These workshops were held on 10 October 2015 and 15 DPHE and representatives from civil societies) made the October 2015 at Batiaghata Upazila Parishad Auditorium of workshops more significant and successful. As aimed, the day Khulna district and Amtali Upazila Parishad Auditorium of to day challenges of drinking water in both the selected areas Barguna district respectively. Engr. Md. Waji Ullah, Executive were delineated from the workshops.

Regional Workshop on South-South Cooperation... (Continued from page 1) information about the workability of the flood control only a platform for dissemination of flood management system of Foshan throughout the years. situations of the regional counterparts but also an initiative A draft MoU was presented to the participants to inform for development of proposals and agreement to work that an attempt has been undertaken to join four water further through achieving well structured fund for future partner regions – Causasus-Central Asia, China, South research execution. Through this successful workshop Asia, South-East Asia in order to come forward with event, the idea of South–South cooperation got an impetus common water related issues and face similar water to step forward with prior willingness among the resources related challenges in the coming years. counterparts with win-win principles. This was a platform for the GWP to unite the Partners and achieving its The regional cooperation in Flood Management was not objective with proper execution of the strategic stride. 2 Year 14 Issue 46 Rising Sea Level: Observations and Trends - Farhana Ahmed, Climate Change and Disaster Management Division Climate change induced accelerated sea level rise makes hydro-morphological characteristics, the coastal zone has Bangladesh one of the most vulnerable countries in the been delineated into three regions: the Ganges Tidal Plain world (UNEP, 1989). It has been predicted that there will be or the Western Coastal Region; the Meghna Deltaic Plain rise in sea level along with more frequent and severe or the Central Coastal Region, and the Chittagong Coastal floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts Plain or the Eastern Coastal Region. disrupting the life of the nation and its economy. The Physiographic unit wise the coastal region can further be coastal zone of Bangladesh is already experiencing adverse subdivided into six sub-regions: the Ganges Tidal impacts of climate change. Catastrophic tropical cyclones Floodplain (saline), the Ganges Tidal Floodplain with storm surges have taken place as recently as 2007 (non-saline), Meghna River Floodplain, Meghna Estuarine (SIDR) and 2009 (AILA) with huge economic and social loss Floodplain (Charland), Chittagong Coastal Plains and St. in most part of the coastal zone. Half of the area of the Martin’s Island. Water level stations for each of these coastal zone is under threat of cyclonic storm surge. sub-regions have been selected and analyzed. 38 BIWTA Around 45% of the area is threatened by storm surge of stations, 127 tidal water level stations and 18 non tidal more than 1 meter, while 4% of the area with less than 1 water level stations of BWDB are located in the coastal meter height (CEGIS estimate). zone. From these stations, 18 water level stations have The vulnerability of the coastal zone can be attributed to its been selected along the interior and exposed coasts geographic location, flat topography, high population covering the three major geo-morphological regions and density, high levels of poverty, and reliance of many six physiographic sub-regions. Finally, the results have been livelihoods on climate sensitive sectors, particularly summarized for the three deltaic zones in the coastal area agriculture, fisheries and water resources. The average namely, the Ganges Tidal Plain or the Western Coastal elevation of the southwest coastal zone ranges from 1-2 m Region; the Meghna Deltaic Plain or the Central Coastal and in the southeast coastal zone 4-5 m. The low elevation, Region; and the Chittagong Coastal Plain or the Eastern active delta, and dynamic morphology play significant role Coastal Region. in its vulnerability to sea level change. Sea level rise affects Analysis of tidal water of 30 years shows a rising trend of the coastal zone and its geometry in a number of ways 7-8 mm/year in the Ganges tidal floodplain. On the other including inundation, erosion and salt water intrusion into hand, the trend is 6-9 mm/year in the Meghna Estuarine the water table. flood plain and 11-20 mm/year in the Chittagong coastal The “Climate Change Cell” of the Department of plain areas. Hence, the overall trend in the coastal zone is Environment (DoE), therefore, has initiated a study titled 6-20 mm/year and the water level trend in the Chittagong “Assessment of Sea Level Rise and Vulnerability in the Coastal Zone of Bangladesh through Trend Analysis”. The study was conducted by CEGIS in association with Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) and Institute of Water Modeling (IWM). Based on the understanding of the project objectives, and activities a comprehensive methodology has been developed. The activities started with identification of knowledge gaps followed by literature review, evaluation of existing approaches on sea level change estimation, and finally, assessment of observed trend. At the end, the study findings were shared with the stakeholders, experts and media through a national level workshop for validation of the research. The results were well appreciated and accepted as a basis for conducting SLR related research in future. Water level trends for the Ganges, Meghna and Chittagong coastal sub zone of Sea level at a particular location Bangladesh based on the data of last 30 years changes regularly with tides and irregularly due to conditions such as wind and currents. coastal plain area is much higher than the Ganges and Other factors which contribute to such fluctuations - include Meghna subzones. water temperature and salinity, air pressure, seasonal changes, amount of stream runoff, and amount of water Installation of at least 10 high precision automatic tidal that is stored as ice or snow. The components of sea level gauge stations along the coast line of Bangladesh has been rise can be divided into global, regional and local sea level recommended. The location of these stations along the rise. This study focused on the trend analysis of the tidal coastal belt are Hiron point, Sundarban, Khepupara, Char water level to visualize the historical changes of sea level Changa, Sandwip, Moheshkhali, Noakhali, Chittagong rise along the coast of Bangladesh. Based on the Port, Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf.

3 Year 14 Issue 46 Feasibility Study of “Patuakhali - Gopalganj 400 kV Transmission Line & Gopalganj 400/132 kV Sub-station” - Bilkish Sultana, Socio-Economic and Institutional Division Power Grid Company Limited of Bangladesh (PGCB) has PGCB has planned to acquire around 60 acres of land in entrusted Center for Environmental and Geographic Muksudpur area for this project. A site selection team Information Services (CEGIS) to conducted a feasibility headed by the Chief Engineer (P&D), PGCB including study of the proposed “Patuakhali - Gopalganj 400 kV team member from CEGIS, has selected the sub-station Transmission Line & Gopalganj 400/132 kV Sub-station” site, out of three different possible sites at Muksudpur project. through consultation with local stakeholders, analyzing maps and satellite images. The final route (Map 1) of the The proposed project has two components, i. a 400 proposed transmission line has also been chosen from the kV/132kV, 3X350 MVA AIS type Grid Substation at three different options. Muksudpur Upazila under Gopalganj district, and ii. a Under this feasibility study, CEGIS is conducting in detail tentative 160 Km long 400kV transmission line from the the route selection, site selection, design of the towers and switch yard of North West Power Generation Company sub-station of the proposed project. The cost estimation, Limited of Bangladesh (NWPGCL) Power Plant at Paira to and the financial and economic analyses of the project are proposed sub-station site at Muksudpur in Gopalganj. The also been conducted by CEGIS in this feasibility study. main objective of the project is to evaluate power from CEGIS is also involving with the initial morphological Paira 1320 MW Power Plant. analysis of the river crossing sites. EIA Study for Sirajganj 225 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant Project (Dual Fuel- 3rd Unit) - Fatima Tuz Zohra, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Division In order to meet the current growing electricity demand of guidelines, including the IFC’s Environmental, Health and 12% per annum and to ensure sustainable power supply for Safety Guidelines. socio-economic development of Bangladesh, the North The proposed 3rd Unit will be established adjacent to the West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL), an existing 2nd Unit of the Sirajganj Power Plant Complex which Traffic Impact assessment (TIA) study is the subsidiary part assumed according to different traffic scenarios. GIS is the enterprise of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral is under construction. This Complex is located at Barashimul of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for tool of choice for representing these scenarios. Resources (MoPEMR) in line with the Government’s Power Mouza of Saydabad Union in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, residential area development projects. TIA was not usually Sector Master Plan of 2010, has planned to enhance the Basundhara Riverview Residential Project is representing a Sirajganj District. This Project is a dual fuel based Combined conducted in any development projects in Bangladesh. good example of TIA study and the site is located beside electricity generation. For this, NWPGCL has proposed to Cycle Power Plant (CCPP), will be operated predominantly Recently, Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (RAJUK) is asking construct a new Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) at the Dhaka-Mawa (200 ft) highway in the Keraniganj by Natural Gas (NG) but has also the provision of High for TIA reports from different housing projects for Upazila of Dhaka District. This highway is the major Sirajganj (3rd unit) with the financial assistance from Euler Speed Diesel (HSD) in case of emergency and integrated urban planning as it is mandatory under the Hermes and SINOSURE, China. Due to the CCPP nature, connecting road between central Dhaka and Southwest non-availability of NG. Beside the Gas Turbine (GT) with Private Residential Land Development Act 2004. For region of Bangladesh. Three secondary roads already exist this proposed project will have a net electricity generation built in fuel NOx control technology, a Heat Recovery Steam conducting this study, a number of policies and legal capacity of 225 MW with relatively less fuel consumption in the study area. They are: Dhaka-Munshiganj Link Road, Generator (HRSG) and a heavy duty Steam Turbine (ST) with aspects like a) Dhaka Structure Plan, RAJUK 2010; b) The M A Aziz road, and while in simple cycle the generation could only reach up to cooling tower technology will be installed in the Plant. This Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 147 MW or maximum to 150 MW. Pangaon Container-Port proposed 3rd Unit at Sirajganj has considered a number of 1983; c) Environmental road. Ten types of vehicles As per definition of the Environment Conservation Rules environmental friendly measures such as combined cycle Conservation Rules, 1997; are found to exist in these (ECR), 1997 of Bangladesh, the proposed Project falls under technology, close cooling system, and central effluent d) Road Sign Manual, roads. They are Rickshaw “Red” Category. Hence, for the fulfilment of the condition treatment plant (CETP). This project will also start the 2000; e) Private Housing (35%), Van (3%), Cycle required under this Category, an Environmental Impact regional development through rural electrification, industrial Land Development Act, (3%), Human Hawler (4%), Assessment (EIA) study has been carried out with the aim of (power loom) development; creating employment 2004; f) Bangladesh CNG (34%), Car/Micro opportunities, improving infrastructures and communication assessing the impacts of this Project, proposing mitigation National Building Code, (3%), Motorcycle (4%), network and reducing energy shortfall. However, the major measures and its implementation plan (EMP). NWPGCL 1993/2006; g) Dhaka Pickup (3%), Light truck negative impact of this project is the emission of air engaged CEGIS to carry out the EIA of the 3rd unit of the Megacity Building (1%) and Medium Truck pollutants, SOx, NOx, CO2,CO and SPM, due to the Sirajganj Power Station (SPS). The EIA took into Construction Rules, 2008 (10%). consideration the environmental rules and regulations of the burning of fossil fuel during power generation. A continuous have been followed and country as well as the Lender’s operational policies and emission monitoring plan has been proposed under the reviewed to explore if there According to “Private Project. any contradiction with the Residential Land existing laws. Development Policy, 2004”, Traffic Impact Assessment...... (Con’t from page 5) the standard density of The TIA study includes population per acre is 350 Total nine blocks (A to I in the figure) have been proposed figure. Every proposed road in the project area is showing description of the present persons. Therefore, after and constructed to design traffic impact in modeling. The with different Passenger Car Unit (PCU) values for different traffic status which is carried the project is completed, total number of inhabitants is projected as 2,30,000 and scenarios. The result represents that, Basundhara Riverview out by traffic count survey about 45,000, 110,000 total number of trips per day is projected as 19,55,000 approach road and Munshiganj link road will be highly and Origin-Destination (OD) survey. To identify the and 230,000 people will live in the said housing area by (195,500 trips in peak hour) in future after the project is in congested if it is used for emergency and business number, movements and classification of roadway vehicles 2025, 2035 and 2045 respectively. From the STP full operation. Additional trips would be from outside the purposes. The Level of Service (LoS) in these roads will be at different cross sections of the road under the study area, (Strategic Transport Plan) 2005 for Dhaka City developed project. To compute the traffic model, four scenarios have categorized as ‘E’ in future. On the other hand, the traffic traffic volume survey is mandatory. It helps to identify the by The Louis Berger Group Inc and Bangladesh been considered to show the future project traffic. The condition in the M A Aziz road will remain constant in all critical flow during the time periods, determine the Consultants Ltd, it is found that, about 7% households scenarios are a) Business as Usual, b) Motorized Scenario, scenarios and would fall under the ‘C’ category of service influence of large vehicles or document traffic volume either have or have access to car, 4% owns motorcycles, c) Economic Scenario, and d) Emergency Scenario. level. Dhaka-Mawa highway would not be congested in trends. Future traffic projection modeling is the vital part of 3% have rickshaws, 5% have bicycles and 2% have the TIA study where different traffic modal factors are The output from the traffic model results are shown in the future even after implementation of the project. auto-rickshaws.

4 Year 14 Issue 46

Impact of ICT on Groundwater in Bangladesh - Foyez Ahmed and Motaleb Hossain Sarker, Ecology, Forestry and Biodiversity Division

CEGIS is carrying out a study on “Impact of ICT in Groundwater Upazilas in Dinajpur district, fall in Level Barind Tract as Management in Bangladesh” funded by Food and Agriculture determined by their lithological characteristics. Organization of the United Nations (FAO), regional office Major activities of the study are to (i) Thailand. The main objective of the project identify the physical and policy context of is to understand the impact of ICT ICT application in GW management, (ii) application in groundwater resource assess the compatibility of ICT technology management in Bangladesh and for in GW management, (iii) analyze the cost assisting the policy makers in better and benefit of ICT-based technology understanding of the physical and policy application, (iv) assess the expected context of ICT based technologies and its change in water delivery service for using further expansion. ICT, (v) assess the ICT impact on WRM e.g. The study is going on in the drought prone net effect of water withdrawal and northwest region (Rajshahi and Rangpur application, and (vi) identify further scope Division) of Bangladesh in selected for adaptation and expansion of ICT upazilas. The study areas have been application in GW management in the selected on the basis of hydrogeological BMDA official and pump manager demonstrating ICT region. The final output of the study will be condition, groundwater irrigation system, (smart card based prepaid meter) in GW management a well structured case study report. Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ), existing ICT A reconnaissance field survey and initial consultation meeting application status as well as expert judgment. There are two with BMDA was conducted in the last week of December 2015. AEZs - High Barind Tract and Level Barind Tract. Four study sites During the consultation meeting, the potential stakeholders namely, the Godagari Upazila in Rajshahi and Pirganj Upazila of identified were: (i) BMDA, (ii) BADC, (iii) farmers’ community, Rangpur fall in High Barind Tract while Birganj and Kaharol and (iv) private tube well owners. Traffic Impact Assessment and Future Traffic Modelling - Tanveer Ahmad, Climate Change and Disaster Management Division Traffic Impact assessment (TIA) study is the subsidiary part assumed according to different traffic scenarios. GIS is the of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for tool of choice for representing these scenarios. residential area development projects. TIA was not usually Basundhara Riverview Residential Project is representing a conducted in any development projects in Bangladesh. good example of TIA study and the site is located beside Recently, Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (RAJUK) is asking the Dhaka-Mawa (200 ft) highway in the Keraniganj for TIA reports from different housing projects for Upazila of Dhaka District. This highway is the major integrated urban planning as it is mandatory under the connecting road between central Dhaka and Southwest Private Residential Land Development Act 2004. For region of Bangladesh. Three secondary roads already exist conducting this study, a number of policies and legal in the study area. They are: Dhaka-Munshiganj Link Road, aspects like a) Dhaka Structure Plan, RAJUK 2010; b) The M A Aziz road, and Motor Vehicle Ordinance, Pangaon Container-Port 1983; c) Environmental road. Ten types of vehicles Conservation Rules, 1997; are found to exist in these d) Road Sign Manual, roads. They are Rickshaw 2000; e) Private Housing (35%), Van (3%), Cycle Land Development Act, (3%), Human Hawler (4%), 2004; f) Bangladesh CNG (34%), Car/Micro National Building Code, (3%), Motorcycle (4%), 1993/2006; g) Dhaka Pickup (3%), Light truck Megacity Building (1%) and Medium Truck Construction Rules, 2008 (10%). have been followed and reviewed to explore if there According to “Private any contradiction with the Residential Land existing laws. Development Policy, 2004”, the standard density of The TIA study includes population per acre is 350 Total nine blocks (A to I in the figure) have been proposed figure. Every proposed road in the project area is showing description of the present persons. Therefore, after and constructed to design traffic impact in modeling. The with different Passenger Car Unit (PCU) values for different traffic status which is carried Traffic Impact assessment and the future modeling for four scenarios the project is completed, total number of inhabitants is projected as 2,30,000 and scenarios. The result represents that, Basundhara Riverview out by traffic count survey about 45,000, 110,000 total number of trips per day is projected as 19,55,000 approach road and Munshiganj link road will be highly and Origin-Destination (OD) survey. To identify the and 230,000 people will live in the said housing area by (195,500 trips in peak hour) in future after the project is in congested if it is used for emergency and business number, movements and classification of roadway vehicles 2025, 2035 and 2045 respectively. From the STP full operation. Additional trips would be from outside the purposes. The Level of Service (LoS) in these roads will be at different cross sections of the road under the study area, (Strategic Transport Plan) 2005 for Dhaka City developed project. To compute the traffic model, four scenarios have categorized as ‘E’ in future. On the other hand, the traffic traffic volume survey is mandatory. It helps to identify the by The Louis Berger Group Inc and Bangladesh been considered to show the future project traffic. The condition in the M A Aziz road will remain constant in all critical flow during the time periods, determine the Consultants Ltd, it is found that, about 7% households scenarios are a) Business as Usual, b) Motorized Scenario, scenarios and would fall under the ‘C’ category of service influence of large vehicles or document traffic volume either have or have access to car, 4% owns motorcycles, c) Economic Scenario, and d) Emergency Scenario. level. Dhaka-Mawa highway would not be congested in trends. Future traffic projection modeling is the vital part of 3% have rickshaws, 5% have bicycles and 2% have the TIA study where different traffic modal factors are The output from the traffic model results are shown in the future even after implementation of the project. auto-rickshaws. (More on page 4 ...) 5 Year 14 Issue 46

Tobacco Cultivated Fields Identification from Satellite images

Tobacco cultivation poses threat to the public health and environment. It was found from several researches that tobacco cultivation has negative impacts on biodiversity, water and soil quality and traditional agro-practices. Local flora and fauna species are also adversely impacted by the excessive use of agrochemicals in tobacco cultivation. The Section 12 of the amended tobacco control law says, “The government shall make necessary guidelines to promote for discouragement of producing and using tobacco products, and discouragement to set up industry of tobacco and tobacco related products, discouragement of producing tobacco related produces and farming”. Due to lack of monitoring system and strong interference of tobacco companies, the tobacco cultivation has been increasing day by day in Bangladesh especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The tobacco processing kilns are using thousands of tons of firewood, causing depletion of reserve and natural forests. This is seriously threatening environment and ecology in the hills. Remote sensing technology may be an excellent tool for monitoring tobacco cultivation. The spectral characteristics of tobacco and local knowledge help to identify tobacco fields from satellite images. The bright pink color within the RapidEye (Resolution 5m) image shows spatial distribution of tobacco cultivated fields (827 Hectare) in Merung Union, Dighinala Upazilla of Khagrachari district. Using time series high resolution images acquired on different phonological stages of tobacco crop can improve the accuracy of identification of tobacco fields from images.

6 Year 14 Issue 46 River Behavioural Analysis in the Kosi River Basin - Sudipta Kumar Hore, River, Delta and Coastal Morphology Division Bihar is one of the most flood prone states of India, about 76 of man-made control points on channel geometry, bifurcation percent of the population in northern part of Bihar is live angle as a function of channel abandonment/narrow down, under recurring flood devastation. The State Government of direction of flow within the spurs as well as the parameters Bihar has identified the improvement of flood management important for the development of embayment within the as one of the priority areas through initiation of the Bihar Kosi spurs. This helps to predict the river course of the Kosi as Flood Recovery Project (BKFRP) to restore the damaged channel pattern of the river largely depends on these houses, roads, and infrastructure as well as augment flood parameters. This prediction tool is capable of predicting the management to reduce flood hazard and vulnerability of the channel within the spurs whether the channel moves towards the embankment or not after exceeding the present channel. This is useful to assess the vulnerability of the spurs and embankment. At the same time, the model can provide information on the specific spurs in a tabular form. Moreover, erosion analysis has been made in meandering bends of the Kosi River in reaches 4 and 5 based on the

affected areas. Against this backdrop, the State Government meandering bend characteristics (expansion, extension, of Bihar has awarded CEGIS, through Flood Management rotation, and translation). For assessment of erosion in the Improvement Support Centre (FMISC), to carry out in-depth meandering bends, the tool developed by Hickin and Nanson understanding of the morphology and behavior of the river in (1984) has been considered as reference which is slightly order to deal with different river problems and proper modified in this study. This study considers the ratio of the planning and designing of water resources project in a radius of curvature and width (R/W) of the meandering bends scientific and rational approach. In this regard, CEGIS is and their historical maximum erosion of those particular working with FMISC to deliver the detail understanding of the morphological and erosion process of the Kosi River as well as the development of the methodology and Graphics User Interface (GUI) trend model for predicting future morphological changes in the rivers of the Kosi River basin. In this study, CEGIS has divided the Kosi River into five different reaches based on the planform characteristics and the man-made control points situated on the Kosi River. CEGIS has developed a Graphic User Interface (GUI) based prediction tool using the channel network analysis by analyzing the hydrological and morphological characteristics of the Kosi River for the prediction of river behavior a year ahead. The main objective of this prediction tool is to protect spurs and embankment in future. This channel network analysis is based on the classified satellite images. Different channel alignments along the Kosi River boundary have been delineated based on which different vulnerable zones along the Kosi River bank have been identified in reaches 1, 2, and 3. This is mainly based on the statistical analysis considering the channel hitting any bank either from the other bank or bends which helps to predict erosion at different R/W interval. from the mid channels. In this prediction, different parameters The developed tool is capable to predict the bend migration are taken into consideration in order to make relation of line and the rate of erosion at the meandering bend in future, parameters in the model. These parameters are the influence considering R/W value of the present situation.

7 Year 14 Issue 46 5-day Training Program on GIS Contracts and Agreements Signed conducted by CEGIS between Various Agencies and CEGIS CEGIS has signed 18 Consultancy services for contracts with different conducting IEE, EIA and organizations during RAP under the project titled October to December Improvement of Natural 2015. Gas Transmission and A contract has been signed Distribution Capacities of with the National Land Titas Gas Transmission and Zoning Project under the Distribution Company Ministry of Land for Limited (TGTDCL) with Consultancy Services of TGTDCL. Another contract Landuse/Landcover with Bangladesh Mapping Using Satellite Telecommunication Images and Remote Company Limited (BTCL) Mr Mike Robson, FAO representative in Bangladesh, Mr Md Yunus Ali, Chief Sensing Technology in has been signed for Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, with Engr Md Wajih Ullah, October 2015. Two Development of GIS Fiber Executive Director, CEGIS at the Inaugural Session of the Training Program important contracts signed Optics Network/ A five day long training conducted by a number of program on “Geographic senior professionals and Information System (Basic to experts from CEGIS. Md Advance)” was conducted by Yunus Ali, Chief Conservator CEGIS for professionals of of Forests, Forest Department, different organizations like Government of the People's Department of Environment, Republic of Bangladesh Forest Department, Food and attended the inaugural Agricultural Organization session as the Chief Guest, (FAO), Oxfam, International and Mr. Mike Robson, FAO Water Association (IWA) and Representative in Bangladesh World Fish. The training was present as the Special program was held from 18-22 Guest. Engr Md Waji Ullah, October 2015 at the CEGIS Executive Director of CEGIS training room. This program chaired the session. Mr Md Waji Ullah, Executive Director, CEGIS signing the contract document aims at enhancing knowledge The closing and certificate with GTCL and Mr Bijit Kumar Sarker, General Manager (Company and strengthening the awarding ceremony was held Secretary) of GTCL looks on capacities of the professionals on 22 October, 2015 at the in utilizing geographic conference room of CEGIS. during this period are i) Transmission Database for information, and applying Engr Md Waji Ullah, Executive Consultancy Services for BTCL. CEGIS has also spatial tools and techniques to Director, CEGIS chaired the Route Survey and signed a contract with Food support planning and session, and along with Mr Environmental Study (IEE, and Agricultural decision-making in their Mahboob Khuda, HRD EIA and RAP) of Organization of the United respective organizations. Specialist, MOEF Support Ashuganj-Bakhrabad-Chitt Nations (FAO) for A total of 13 participants from Project, FAO, the Special agong Gas Transmission conducting a Pilot Study for the said organizations Guest of the session, Pipeline with Gas the Development of attended all the training distributed the certificates Transmission Company Methodology to Support sessions which were among the participants. Limited (GTCL) and ii) the National Forest Boundary Digitization. New Faces in CEGIS Mr Sultanul Arifin Shameem Ahmad is a Mr Mushfiq Ahmed completed his B.Sc. Doctor of Technical Science in Aquaculture (Honors) and M.Sc. in Biological Science, and Aquatic Resources Management. Dr. specializing in Wildlife Ecology, Management Shameem is an expert in Aquaculture, Artificial and Conservation Biology from Jahangirnagar Propagation and Fish Genetics, Hatchery University. In 2009, he worked for CEGIS on Operation, Fisheries Resources Management short term basis. He was involved in research and Fisheries Planning and has more than 30 and documentation in the production of ‘Nature years of experience in these areas. Prior to and Life’, the first ever TV series in Bangladesh CEGIS, he was in the Department of Fisheries (DoF) as showcasing biodiversity and its current adverse situations. As District Fisheries Officer. He has extensive experience in the Chief Researcher of the Nature and Life Foundation, he was design, implement and lead donor aided and GoB funded visionary and intrepid to feature more of natural ecosystem, projects that mobilized natural resources, maximized habitat and help raise awareness of environmental issues, productivity, generated income and facilitated food security. globally. Recently, he has rejoined CEGIS as an Ecologist under Ecology, Foestry and Biodiversity Division.

Chair of Editorial Board Editorial Board Design and Layout Engr Md Waji Ullah Dr Maminul Haque Sarker Md Azizul Haque Sonkor C Sinh Malik Fida Abdullah Khan Md Sarfaraz Wahed Linguistic Editor Dr Mollah Md Awlad Hossain Abul Kashem Md Hasan Ms Perveen Rasheed Dr Dilruba Ahmed Mohammad Shahidul Motaleb Hossain Sarker A T M Shamsul Alam

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