Climate change is driving the Royal Bengal Tiger, celebrated monarch of the Sundarbans, from its natural habitat in search of food, say experts-leading to tragic consequences for the already critically endangered species in its encounters with humans.

Two tigers have been beaten to death by villagers this year in Bangladesh's Bagerhat and Satkhira districts.

When the government is shouting for compensation or negotiating with international community over impact of climate change in Bangladesh, it has no specific data how much the country had already been affected by the menace especially due to the sea level rise.

Not a single penny from 300-crore Taka Climate Change Fund allocated for 2008-09 fiscal either was released or spent due to indecision of the governments.

A TOTAL of 727-kilometre canals and 710 ponds have reportedly been re-excavated under the 'Barind Rainwater Conservation and Irrigation' Project, initiated in 2004. It is likely to be completed by next June. Another 555 water control structures are also being built for keeping water in the canals and ponds.

About 50 percent mother and children in Natore are affected with anemia while one third women of Natore district are suffering from long-term malnutrition, creating a sort of threat for a healthy nation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said in parliament that her government would resolve the issue of Tipaimukh dam through bilateral discussion with India, as the Indian project triggered outcry in Bangladesh.

"We want to solve any problem through discussions," she said, citing past instances.

Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has been operating a special loan programme for extensive fish cultivation to create employment opportunities along with fulfilling protein deficiency in the country's northwestern region.

Officials sources told BSS that the specialised commercial bank has been running the credit programme on "RAKUB fisheries village" to alleviate poverty and create jobs.

Global Humanitarian Forum (GHF) an organization run by Kofi Anan Foundation assured of all cooperation to Bangladesh in facing the challenges of climate change.

The assurance came when State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Hasan Mahmud called on former secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Anan on June 24 in Geneva, an official press release said here on Thursday.

President Zillur Rahman on Thursday called upon all to join the ongoing plantation programme to make the country more greenery for facing the adverse affects of climate change.

"We all would have to be more sincere in preserving and developing plants for the greater interest of the nation," he said while inaugurating the tree plantation programme-2009 at Bangabhaban in the city.

The High Court (HC) yesterday asked the government to accurately demarcate Dhaka's river system conducting cadastral survey within four months, for protecting the boundaries of the city's major rivers.

At the same time, the government has been asked to form a committee to make recommendations to protect all navigable rivers cross the country.