241 Permanent Court of Arbitration Arbitration Under Annex Vii of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of The

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

241 Permanent Court of Arbitration Arbitration Under Annex Vii of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of The PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION ARBITRATION UNDER ANNEX VII OF THE 1982 UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x In the Matter of Bay of Bengal Maritime Boundary Arbitration Between: THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH PCA Case No. 2010-16 and PCA Reference BD-IN THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x Volume 3 HEARING ON THE MERITS Thursday, December 12, 2013 The Permanent Court of Arbitration PCA Administrative Council Chamber/ "Japanese Room" Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague The Netherlands The hearing in the above-entitled matter convened at 2:30 p.m. before: JUDGE RÜDIGER WOLFRUM, Presiding Arbitrator JUDGE JEAN-PIERRE COT, Arbitrator JUDGE THOMAS A. MENSAH, Arbitrator DR. PEMMARAJU SREENIVASA RAO, Arbitrator PROFESSOR IVAN SHEARER, Arbitrator 241 Permanent Court of Arbitration: MR. BROOKS W. DALY Registrar and PCA Deputy Secretary-General DR. ALOYSIUS P. LLAMZON PCA Legal Counsel MR. GARTH L. SCHOFIELD PCA Legal Counsel MS. YANYING LI PCA Assistant Legal Counsel MR. KEVIN LEE PCA Assistant Legal Counsel MR. BENJAMIN CRADDOCK PCA Case Manager MS. SUMAYA BOUSSAA PCA Assistant Case Manager Expert Hydrographer to the Tribunal: MR. DAVID H. GRAY Court Reporters: MR. DAVID A. KASDAN, RDR-CRR MS. DAWN K. LARSON, RDR-CRR Registered Diplomate Reporter Certified Realtime Reporter Worldwide Reporting, LLP 529 14th Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 544-1903 [email protected] 242 APPEARANCES: On behalf of the People's Republic of Bangladesh: H.E. DR. DIPU MONI, MP Agent of Bangladesh and Former Foreign Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh REAR ADMIRAL (RETD) MOHAMMAD KHURSHED ALAM MPHIL, ndc, psc, Deputy Agent of Bangladesh & Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka Counsel and Advocates: H.E. The Honourable A.H. Mahmood Ali, MP, Foreign Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh MR. MOHAMMAD SHAHIDUL HAQUE Secretary, Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhaka PROFESSOR PAYAM AKHAVAN McGill University PROFESSOR ALAN BOYLE University of Edinburgh PROFESSOR JAMES CRAWFORD South Carolina, FBA Cambridge University MR. LAWRENCE H. MARTIN Foley Hoag LLP MR. PAUL S. REICHLER Foley Hoag LLP PROFESSOR PHILIPPE SANDS QC University College London 243 APPEARANCES: (Continued) On behalf of the People's Republic of Bangladesh: Advisors: MR. SHIEKH MOHAMMED BELAL Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Ambassador-designate to the Netherlands MS. ISHRAT JAHAN Counsellor & CDA, ad. i, Embassy of Bangladesh, The Hague MR. MOHAMMAD SHAHEEN IQBAL Bangladesh Navy M.R.I. ABEDIN System Analyst, Ministry of Foreign Affairs MR. MOHAMMAD HAZRAT ALI KHAN Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs MD. ABDULLAH AL MAMUN Bangladesh Army MD. ABU RAYHAN Bangladesh Air Force MD. ABDUL MOKTADER Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs MR. SYED SHAH SAAD ANDALIB Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs MR. HARIPADA CHANDRA NAG Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs DR. ROBIN CLEVERLY Law of the Sea Consultant, The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office MR. SCOTT EDMONDS Cartographic Consultant, International Mapping 244 APPEARANCES: (Continued) On behalf of the People's Republic of Bangladesh: MR. THOMAS FROGH Senior Cartographer, International Mapping DR. LINDSAY PARSON Director, Maritime Zone Solutions Ltd. MR. ROBERT W. SMITH Geographic Consultant Junior Counsel: MRS. CLARA BRILLEMBOURG MR. VIVEK KRISHNAMURTHY MR. YURI PARKHOMENKO Foley Hoag LLP MR. REMI REICHHOLD Matrix Chambers Legal Assistants: MR. DARA IN University College London MS. NANCY LOPEZ MR. RODRIGO TRANAMIL Foley Hoag LLP 245 APPEARANCES: (Continued) On behalf of the Republic of India: G. E. VAHANAVTI Attorney General of India MR. DEVADATT KAMATH Assistant Counsel to the Attorney General DR. NEERU CHADHA Agent, Joint Secretary & the Legal Adviser, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India MR. HARSH VARDHAN SHRINGLA Co-Agent, Joint Secretary (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India MR. PUNEET AGRAWAL Deputy Agent, Director (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs H.E. MR. R.N. PRASAD Ambassador of India to the Netherlands MR. R.K. SINGH Deputy Chief of Mission Counsel: PROFESSOR ALAIN PELLET University of Paris Ouest SIR MICHAEL WOOD, K.C.M.G. MR. R.K.P. SHANKARDASS Senior Advocate PROFESSOR W. MICHAEL REISMAN Yale University MR. BENJAMIN SAMSON Junior Counsel, University of Paris Oueste 246 APPEARANCES: (Continued) On behalf of the Republic of India: MR. ERAN STHOEGER Junior Counsel, New York University Scientific and Technical Experts: VICE ADMIRAL S. K. JHA, Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India REAR ADMIRAL K. M. NAIR Joint Chief Hydrographer, National Hydrographic Office (NHO) PROFESSOR MARTIN PRATT Expert Cartographer COMMODORE ADHIR ARORA Principal Director of Hydrography, NHO CAPT. PEUSH PAWSEY Director of Hydrography (Ops), NHO DR. DHANANJAY PANDEY Scientist, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) MR. R.C. SAMOTA Cartographic Assistant, NHO Research Associates: MR. K. S. MOHAMMED HUSSAIN Legal Officer, Ministry of External Affairs MS. HELOISE PELLET Additional Attendee: MS. NAFISA VAHANAVTI 247 C O N T E N T S PAGE Argument of Republic of India: By Attorney General Chadha 250 By Mr. Shankardass 259 By Professor Pellet 280 By Professor Reisman 305 Questions from the Tribunal 334 248 1 P R O C E E D I N G S 2 PRESIDENT WOLFRUM: Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are now 3 starting the first round of the presentation of India. According to the list I've received, but 4 the Agent will certainly correct me, Dr. Chadha will speak for 20 minutes, to be followed 5 by Mr. Shankardass 30 or 40 minutes, Dr. Pellet 60 minutes, and Professor Reisman 55 6 minutes. Is that correct? Then we shall proceed. 7 Dr. Chadha, you have the floor. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 249 1 12 December 13 2 3 4 PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION 5 6 ARBITRATION UNDER ANNEX VII OF THE UNITED NATIONS 7 CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA 8 9 BAY OF BENGAL MARITIME BOUNDARY ARBITRATION BETWEEN THE 10 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH AND THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA 11 12 ARBITRATOR’S FOLDER 13 REPUBLIC OF INDIA 14 15 16 GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CASE 17 DOCTOR NEERU CHADHA, AGENT OF INDIA 18 19 Thank you, Mr. President, and good afternoon everyone. 20 Mr. President, Members of the Tribunal, it is a great honour for me to appear before 21 you today on behalf of my country, the Republic of India. 22 23 2. At the outset, allow me Mr. President to thank you and the members of the Tribunal 24 for agreeing to be a part of this tribunal and for the steering of these proceedings. I also 25 thank the staff and Registry of the Permanent Court of Arbitration for their ready and 26 prompt assistance. 27 28 3. Let me also take this opportunity to thank the distinguished Agent of Bangladesh, 29 Her Excellency Dr. Dipu Moni former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, for her cooperation 30 in these proceedings. 250 1 2 Mr. President. 3 4 4. The Attorney General of India, in his introductory remarks on Monday, has 5 highlighted the close bonds and friendly neighbourly relations between India and 6 Bangladesh and our commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence and peaceful 7 settlement of disputes. He has also emphasised that the settlement of the present dispute 8 can only strengthen these links. There can be no doubt about it; however, as Mr. Vahanvati 9 also made very clear, the fact is that the negotiations between our two friendly countries on 10 the maritime delimitation failed. And they failed because Bangladesh consistently refused 11 to accept the legal – and I stress – “the legal” principles applicable to the delimitation of 12 maritime areas. 13 14 5. We are confident, Mr. President, distinguished members of the Tribunal, that, as a 15 court of law, your Tribunal will render an award strictly based on the legal principles it is 16 bound to apply in accordance with Article 293, paragraph 1 of the UNCLOS, and not 17 pronounce a kind of Solomonic judgment which, Bangladesh urges you to give, when it 18 invokes your “margin of appreciation” and insistently invites you to use your 19 “discretionary power”. Bangladesh talks of its flexibility – it’s very many alternatives for a 20 so-called “equitable solution” which put into light its preference for equity over legal 21 principles – if at all anything! India definitely has not accepted and does not accept an ex 22 aequo et bono decision. The law as it stands is conceived so as to realize an equitable 23 solution and we ask you, Members of the Tribunal, not to depart from this perspective and 24 not to endanger the stability and certainty now obtained in the law of maritime 25 delimitation. 26 27 Mr. President I will highlight India’s principal contentions briefly. 28 29 6. India’s first basic submission is that the applicable law is to be found in the 30 provisions of UNCLOS, in particular those that govern maritime delimitation of different 31 zones: that is Articles 15, 74 and 83. 251 1 2 7. The two main issues on which there is disagreement between the Parties are the 3 precise location of the starting point of the maritime boundary and the methodology to be 4 chosen for delimitation. 5 6 8. The starting point for the maritime delimitation is the land boundary terminus, 7 which – as both Parties agree – was defined by the Radcliffe Award. According to the 8 Award, the land boundary terminus is the point where the mid-stream of the main channel 9 of the Hariabhanga and Raimangal Rivers meets the Bay of Bengal. 10 11 9. The precise location of the land boundary terminus, is the point where the 12 north-south or vertical axis determined by the Radcliffe Award intersects the closing line 13 of the Bay of Bengal.
Recommended publications
  • Sensitivity Testing Current Migration Patterns to Climate Change and Variability in Bangladesh
    Sensitivity testing current migration patterns to climate change and variability in Bangladesh Dominic Kniveton, Maxmillan Martin and Pedram Rowhani Working paper 5 An output of research on climate change related migration in Bangladesh, conducted by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), University of Dhaka, and Sussex Centre for Migration Research (SCMR), University of Sussex, with support from Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Copyright: RMMRU and SCMR, 2013 Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit Sattar Bhaban (4th Floor) 3/3-E, Bijoynagar, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. Tel: +880-2-9360338, Fax: +880-2-8362441 E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.rmmru.org | www.samren.net Sussex Centre for Migration Research School of Global Studies University of Sussex Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SJ, UK Tel: +44 1273 873394, Fax : +44 1273 620662 Email: [email protected], Web: www.sussex.ac.uk/migration About the authors: Dominic Kniveton is Professor of Climate Science and Society at the Department of Geography, School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, UK, Email: [email protected] Maxmillan Martin is a PhD student at the Department of Geography, School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, UK Pedram Rowhani is Lecturer in Geography at the Department of Geography, School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, UK Sensitivity testing current migration patterns to climate change and variability in Bangladesh Introduction It is widely recognised that the decision to migrate is multi-causal and context specific. According to the Foresight conception of migration and environmental change migration can be seen as being driven or de- termined by the multi-scale influences of social, economic, demographic, environmental and political fac- tors such as kinship links, job opportunities, population growth, loss of land and conflict, to give just a few examples; while the ability to migrate is controlled by household and individual access to resources, family obligations and migration networks (Foresight 2012).
    [Show full text]
  • Bio Data- Captain Wahid Hasan Kutubuddin
    BIO DATA- CAPTAIN WAHID HASAN KUTUBUDDIN 1. Rank and Name : Captain Wahid Hasan Kutubuddin, (N), ndc, afwc, psc, BN 2. Present Appointment and Address : Blue Economy Cell, EMRD 3. Date and Place of Birth : 16 September 1967, Dhaka 4. Date of Commission/ Recruitment : 01 July 1987__________________ 5. Service: BangladeshNavy Branch: Executive 6. Marital Status :Married 7. Number of Children : Son 02 Daughter 01 8. Father’s Name : Gaus Kutubuddin 9. Mother’s Name : Mrs Hasina Banu 10. Nationality: Bangladeshi Religion: ___Islam (Sunni)_______ 11. Highest Academic Qualification: Masters Degree 12. Important Military and Strategic Courses attended: Ser Name of the Course Institute / Organization 1. Joint Training with 15 BMA LC BMA 2. Basic Naval Training (1st Term) BNA 3. Basic Naval Course in Malaysia Officers Training School of Royal Malaysian Navy, Malaysia 4. Air Orientation Course Bangladesh Air Force Base ZAHUR 5. Junior Staff Course (1992) Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) 6. Long Navigation course INS VENDURUTHY, Kochin, India 7. Missile Command and Tactics Course FAC School, BNS ISSA KHAN 8. Torpedo Command and Tactics Course FAC School, BNS ISSA KHAN 9. Masters in Defence Studies (MDS) National University, Bangladesh 10. Global Maritime Distress and Safety Marine Academy, Chittagong System (GMDSS) 11. Practical Pilotage Training Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh 12. Operational and Maintenance Training GEM Elettronica Training Center, Italy Course Radar LD 1510/6/M 13. Port Security Course At SMWT under United States Coast Guard 14. 20 th Naval Staff Course DSCSC, Mirpur, Bangladesh 15. 2nd Staff Course DSSC, Wellington, India 16. International Humanitarian Law At SMWT under Director of Naval Legal Services, Royal Navy 17.
    [Show full text]
  • [SCHEDULE I (See Section 3) Stamp Duty on Instruments Sl. No. Description of Instruments Proper Stamp-Duty (1) (2) (3) 1 ACKNOWL
    1[SCHEDULE I (See section 3) Stamp duty on instruments Sl. Description of Instruments Proper Stamp-duty No. (1) (2) (3) 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of a debt Ten Taka exceed, in One thousand Taka in amount or value, written or signed by, or on behalf of, a debtor in order to supply evidence of such debt in any book (other than a banker’s pass book) or on a separate piece of paper where such book or paper is left in the creditors possession: Provided that such acknowledgement does not contain any promise to pay the debt or any stipulation to pay interest or to deliver any goods or other property. 2 ADMINISTRATION BOND, including a bond given under section 6 of the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873, or section 291 or section 375 or section 376 of the Succession Act, 1925- (a) Where the amount does not The same duty as a exceed Taka 5,000; and BOND (No. 15) for such amount (b) In any other case. Two hundred Taka 3 ADOPTION-DEED, that is to say, any Five thousand Taka instrument (other than a WILL), recording an adoption, or conferring or purporting to confer an authority to adopt. ADVOCATE - See ENTRY AS AN ADVOCATE (No. 30) 1 SCHEDULE I was substituted by section 4 of the Finance Act, 2012 (Act No. XXVI of 2012) (with effect from 1st July, 2012). 4 AFFIDAVIT, including an affirmation Two hundred Taka or declaration in the case of persons by law allowed to affirm or declare instead of swearing. EXEMPTIONS Affidavit or declaration in writing when made- (a) As a condition of enlistment under the Army Act, 1952; (b) For the immediate purpose of being field or used in any court or before the officer of any court; or (c) For the sole purpose of enabling any person to receive any pension or charitable allowance.
    [Show full text]
  • Tender Specification of 01Xlong Range Air Defence
    SECRET ANNEX A TENDER NO: 06.06.0000.275.07.229.19 DATED: 11 FEBRUARY 2020 TENDER SPECIFICATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF 04 X AUTOMATED WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AWMS) FOR 201 MAINTENANCE UNIT, BANGLADESH AIR FORCE (201MU BAF) PART 1: GENERAL INFORMATION AND BIDDER’S RESPONSIBILITIES Introduction 01. Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has planned to procure 04X Automated Warehouse Management System in the financial year 2019-2020. The AWMS will be installed at existing Warehouse of 201 MU BAF site at Dhaka Cantonment. The AWMS shall have the ability to receive and issue all types of items automatically for better inventory management. The offered AWMS should satisfactorily operate in the climatic conditions of Bangladesh. The AWMS system shall allow accommodating all types of aircraft and radar spares which size and shapes are within limit of try of AWMS. 02. For better understanding and to evaluate, all the prospective bidders on the same platform, the tender specification has been divided into three parts: a. Part-1: General Information and Bidder’s Responsibilities. b. Part-2: Technical Specification (Essential and Optional Requirement). c. Part-3: General Terms and Conditions. 03. In Part-2, there are essential criteria and optional items. Bidders failing to comply with essential criteria will be disqualified. However, Bidder has to quote price of all the optional items, but BAF may take some or all optional items as per the requirement. Price of optional features/items will not be considered for determining financial competitiveness. 04. Prospective bidders are to comply with the requirements and terms and conditions of the tender specification mentioned in Part-1, Part-2 and Part-3 of the tender specification.
    [Show full text]
  • Warrant of Precedence in Bangladesh
    Warrant Of Precedence In Bangladesh Spadelike Eustace deprecated or customise some rustications erotically, however unapproachable Reza resume timeously or gads. Typic Rustie sometimes salify his femineity pectinately and corbels so disjointedly! Scaphocephalous Hilbert inures very creditably while Northrup remains bottom and sharp-nosed. If necessary in bangladesh war of. For all over another leading cause it has sufficient knowledge and in warrant an officer ranks for someone who often tortured. Trial Judge got this Rule. Navy regulations stipulated the commissioned offices of captain and lieutenant. The warrant of rank. Forces to bangladesh of precedence in warrant or places of. Secondary education begins at the wave of eleven and lasts for seven years. Trial chamber may make it pronounces a decision has nonetheless rarely disciplined, including that period decided that while judges. Martial law and bangladesh judicial service vehicles for use of drilling and determine whether a warrant or warrants. The warrant of islam will hold harmless ctl phones are also be interviewed by bangladesh nationalist party. Chief Controller of Imports and Exports. To world heritage command obedience to of precedence is the state. But if such case. Madaripur by then chief justice and hands power secretary to detain a human resources to help provide maps suitable taxation policy. Rulings of precedence is unsatisfactory, warrants and where appropriate. To display two offices. The divorce over, policies and benefits, CTL. The upgrade essentially allows officers who make not promoted to draw the crank of higher ranks or pay grades, including clustering and limited access to which community wells, English and French. Managing Director, it was expected that Sam Manekshaw would be promoted to the rank behind a Field Marshal in recognition of his role in leading the Armed Forces to a glorious victory in may war against Pakistan.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Impacts of Climate Variations on the Potato Production in Bangladesh: a Supply and Demand Model Approach
    sustainability Article Assessing the Impacts of Climate Variations on the Potato Production in Bangladesh: A Supply and Demand Model Approach Arifa Jannat 1,2 , Yuki Ishikawa-Ishiwata 3 and Jun Furuya 4,* 1 Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan; [email protected] 2 Institute of Agribusiness and Development Studies, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh 3 Global and Local Environment Co-Creation Institute (GLEC), Ibaraki University, 2-1-1 Bunkyo, Mito-city, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan; [email protected] 4 Social Sciences Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1-1 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +81-29-838-6304 Abstract: From the perspective of nutritional security, we investigated the influence of climate change on potato production in Bangladesh using a supply and demand model by considering the potato as an important non-cereal food crop. To provide an outlook on the variation in potato supplies and market prices under changing climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, and solar-radiation), the yield, area, import, and demand functions were assessed using district-level time-series data of Bangladesh (1988–2013), disaggregated into seven climatic zones. Results suggest that temperatures above or below the optimal range (18–22 ◦C) lowered yields. Little rainfall and low solar radiation hinder potato cultivation areas during the potato maturity stage. During the simulated period, the annual production was projected to rise from 88 to 111 million metric tons (MT), with an Citation: Jannat, A.; Ishikawa-Ishiwata, equilibrium farm price of 155 to 215 US dollars MT−1.
    [Show full text]
  • Bangladesh's Submarines from China
    www.rsis.edu.sg No. 295 – 6 December 2016 RSIS Commentary is a platform to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy-relevant commentary and analysis of topical issues and contemporary developments. The views of the authors are their own and do not represent the official position of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from RSIS and due recognition to the author(s) and RSIS. Please email: [email protected] for feedback to the Editor RSIS Commentary, Yang Razali Kassim. Bangladesh’s Submarines from China: Implications for Bay of Bengal Security By Nilanthi Samaranayake Synopsis Bangladesh’s acquisition of two submarines from China should not be narrowly viewed through the prism of India-China geopolitics. Rather, it should be understood in a wider context as a milestone by a modernising naval power in the Bay of Bengal. Commentary THE IMPENDING arrival of two Chinese-origin submarines to Bangladesh together with China’s planned construction of submarines for Pakistan, has contributed to the perception among some observers that China is attempting to encircle India and reinforced concerns about a Chinese “string of pearls”. Yet Bangladesh’s acquisition of two Ming-class submarines should not be narrowly viewed through this geopolitical prism. Rather, it should be seen in the broader context of the country’s force modernisation, which has important implications for Bay of Bengal security. In fact, Bangladesh’s development of its naval capabilities may contribute as a force multiplier to Indian security initiatives in the Bay of Bengal rather than being a potential threat to regional stability.
    [Show full text]
  • Earthquake Risk in Bangladesh
    STUDENT VERSION Earthquake Risk in Bangladesh PASSAGE FOUR Tectonics and Sedimentation in the Delta Tectonic forces play an important role in the geography of Bangladesh. But on the world’s largest delta, rivers, sedimentation, and floods also shape the landscape. Team members are investigating the connection between these two systems: tectonics and river system. How can earthquakes affect rivers? Rivers change course over time. In deltas, rivers can shift back and forth as they scientists at work drop sediment, and then naturally flow The research team collect sediment samples from wells along the Sylhet Basin north of Dhaka. ©AMNH into lower ground. Earthquakes and other tectonic activity can also steer a river. As plates shift, some parts of the landscape may drop and others uplift. This can send rivers on a new path. “Our project is trying to understand the relationship between earthquakes and river systems,” says sedimen- tologist Steve Goodbred. One way to do this is to study the sediment record. As rivers shift, they bring new sediments to an area. Over time, layers of sediment build up across the delta. These layers of sediment record the history of the rivers, including how rivers have changed course. Clues in the sediment Goodbred and his team have been examining the sediments across the delta. Using a local technique, they have dug over 150 wells. As they drill, they collect sediment samples every few meters. The deeper they dig, the older the sediment. amnh.org/education/bangladesh © 2013 American Museum of Natural History. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 Earthquake Risk STUDENT VERSION in Bangladesh CONTINUED Tectonics and Sedimentation in the Delta By digging 100 meters down, they can piece together up Evidence of past river changes to 20,000 years of the delta’s history.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigating the Climate-Induced Livelihood Vulnerability Index in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
    Article Investigating the Climate-Induced Livelihood Vulnerability Index in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh Mehedi Mudasser 1, Md. Zakir Hossain 2 , Khan Rubayet Rahaman 3,* and Nur Mohammad Ha-Mim 2 1 National Resilience Programme (NRP), UNDP Bangladesh, IDB Bhaban, 18th Floor, UN Offices, E/8-A, Begum Rokeya Sarani, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; [email protected] 2 Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh; [email protected] (M.Z.H.); [email protected] (N.M.H.-M.) 3 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, St. Mary’s University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 31 July 2020; Accepted: 10 September 2020; Published: 15 September 2020 Abstract: Understanding the complex dynamics of a household’s livelihood and potential vulnerabilities in the face of climate change is challenging. This research paper considers the Shyamnagar sub-district in the southern part of Bangladesh to analyze the complex issues of the vulnerability of livelihoods in the face of climate change. We conducted a questionnaire survey (n = 156) of approximately 15.6% of households in the study area. Consequently, we collected Geographical Information System (GIS) data and satellite imagery to demonstrate the land-use changes concerning vulnerabilities. A total of 54 indicators were selected to assess the livelihood vulnerability index, considering the demographic profiles, livelihood strategies, social networks, food security, water security, income, physical infrastructures, access to health services, and impacts of natural disasters. The results of the study demonstrate that only 21% of the people in the studied regions are less vulnerable to livelihood impacts in the face of climate change, while 23% of the households remain the most vulnerable.
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime Boundary of Bangladesh: Is Our Sea Lost? Abu Syed Muhammad Belal
    Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies BIPSS FOCUS BIPSS Focus is intended to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary developments. This analysis may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from BIPSS. Please email: [email protected] for any queries. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Maritime Boundary of Bangladesh: Is Our Sea Lost? Abu Syed Muhammad Belal Introduction The oceans are without doubt the most important resources on the planet and only maritime states can boast of their fortune, having economic, political, strategic and social advantages over other states in reaping benefit from those resources while their interests are manifest in a variety of activities including shipping of goods, fishing, hydrocarbon and mineral extraction, naval mission and scientific research. Bangladesh is, too, bestowed with the same geographic endowment with 720-kilometre coastline. However, questions remain whether the country has been successful in valurising the magnitude of its maritime interests so as to establish its rights as a maritime state in the Bay of Bengal and pursuing a process conducive to fruitful resolution of the wrangles with its neighbours. This paper attempts to articulate a focus upon the maritime issues of Bangladesh and critically examine its undertakings regarding the issue, demystifying the possible consequences for Bangladesh if the end-result is other wise. The Legal Regime of Maritime Zones The sovereignty of a coastal state, as accorded by the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention 1982, Article 2(1), extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of Sea, which is typically referred as Territorial Sea, defined up to a limit of 12 nautical miles, subject to be measured from baseline, the low water line of a low -tide elevation.
    [Show full text]
  • United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, 1958, Volume I, Preparatory Documents
    United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea Geneva, Switzerland 24 February to 27 April 1958 Document: A/CONF.13/15 A Brief Geographical and Hydro Graphical Study of Bays and Estuaries the Coasts of which Belong to Different States Extract from the Official Records of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, Volume I (Preparatory Documents) Copyright © United Nations 2009 Document A/CONF.13/15 A BRIEF GEOGRAPHICAL AND HYDRO GRAPHICAL STUDY OF BAYS AND ESTUARIES THE COASTS OF WHICH BELONG TO DIFFERENT STATES BY COMMANDER R. H. KENNEDY (Preparatory document No. 12) * [Original text: English] [13 November 1957] CONTENTS Page Page INTRODUCTION 198 2. Shatt al-Arab 209 I. AFRICA 3. Khor Abdullah 209 1. Waterway at 11° N. ; 15° W. (approx.) between 4. The Sunderbans (Hariabhanga and Raimangal French Guinea and Portuguese Guinea ... 199 Rivers) 209 2. Estuary of the Kunene River 199 5. Sir Creek 210 3. Estuary of the Kolente or Great Skarcies River 200 6. Naaf River 210 4. The mouth of the Manna or Mano River . 200 7. Estuary of the Pakchan River 210 5. Tana River 200 8. Sibuko Bay 211 6. Cavally River 200 IV. CHINA 7. Estuary of the Rio Muni 200 1. The Hong Kong Area 212 8. Estuary of the Congo River 201 (a) Deep Bay 212 9. Mouth of the Orange River 201 (b) Mirs Bay 212 II. AMERICA (c) The Macao Area 213 1. Passamaquoddy Bay 201 2. Yalu River 213 2. Gulf of Honduras 202 3. Mouth of the Tyumen River 214 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Smoking on Pilots of Bangladesh Air Force in Dhaka Area
    Original Paper Effects of Smoking on Pilots of Bangladesh Air Force in Dhaka Area 1 2 3 4 Ahsan MA , Munir UR , Ahmad M , Shahidullah M Abstract Introduction: Smokers have a high morbidity and occasional episode of palpitation along with increase mortality rate and the causes of excess morbidity in pulse rate. Thirty one (39%) experienced and mortality include lung cancer, COPD (Chronic occasional headache during high altitude flight, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and cor pulmonale. 58(72.5%) had heart burn related to smoking. Thirty An estimated 100 million people died in the 20th eight (47.5%) had occasional bouts of cough with century from tobacco-associated diseases. Smoking sputum and 40(50%) complained of occasional gum also affects the performance and cause physical bleeding. These pilots also informed that they deterioration of pilots. reported sick several times for headache, heart burn, cough and URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) Objectives: To evaluate the effects of smoking on and were unfit for flying duties. During January-June pilots of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), Dhaka area. 2014, a total of 10 pilots of BAF Dhaka area were placed in low medical category out of them 6 (60%) Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study pilots had smoking habits and suffered from IHD-4 was conducted during the period of January to June (Ischemic Heart Disease) and HTN-2 (Hypertension). 2014 among the available pilots of different age and There was statistically significant association ranks of 6 flying squadrons of BAF Dhaka area. between number of the cigarette smoked, period of Data were collected by using a pre-tested semi- smoking and physical deterioration of smoker pilots structured questionnaire distributed among the (P<0.05).
    [Show full text]