Philip Gain is a highly skilled dynamic professional in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has been involved with many activities throughout his career. He is Executive Director of Society for Environment and Human Development. Mr. Gain occasionally teaches in a university. He is also very active in making documentary and writing reports on various environmental and human rights issues. His works have earned a lot of fame and respect at home and abroad. He leads a busy life and he is always engaged in research based activities.
Recently, Philip Gain gave an exclusive interview to Business Bangladesh Updates. Here is the interview for the readers:
BBU: You are involved with reporting about environmental and human rights issues. What kind of challenges do you face?
Philip Gain: My main focus is to ensure objective and impartial reporting. Sometimes, it is challenging and we have to face some obstacles. My organization and I are actively involved with reporting about different issues for over one decade. We have noticed that if you focus on the quality of the report then it is possible to publish reports about even very sensitive issues. However, the main thing I want to see is that the owners of newspapers, magazines and TV channels invest more on quality and in depth reporting. This can really make a lot of difference. Yes, sometimes we face problems but this is a natural part of life. For example, sometimes, we face problems about obtaining information from rural areas.
BBU: The Sundarbans is the largest forest in Bangladesh. In the recent years, we have seen a lot of interest among local and foreign tourists. This may hurt the forest. How we can make sure that the tourists would come but at the same time, the forest will be kept intact?
Philip Gain: I have been to the Sundarbans and it is a very beautiful place. It is a very attractive place for the tourists. Tourists can visit the place. However, they must have to be some careful to take care of the environment. Many people also go inside the forest for their livelihood. If the tourists are some careful about not to drop garbage then it can do a lot in keeping the environment of the forest clean. They don’t need to do a lot but they need to be conscious about saving the forest. On the other hand, the government has to come forward to do everything for protecting the Sundarbans. The government has to formulate a detailed policy about the Sunderbans. Poaching is a big problem for this forest.
BBU: We have seen your documentary on Chokoria Sundarban. How this lost forest can be restored again?
Philip Gain: Chokoria Sundarban is sad tale for us. The forest has been destroyed but it is still possible do something to bring back the forest. It was a mangrove forest and again, the government needs to focus on planting trees in this area. You know that the forest was destroyed to carry out shrimp cultivation. I think that there a comparative analysis should be done on shrimp cultivation and mangrove forest.
BBU: Sometimes we hear this kind of logic that Bangladesh is a poor country and we should give more priority to fight against the poverty rather than saving environment. Shrimp cultivation surely brings a lot of foreign exchange for Bangladesh. How would do evaluate this problem?
Philip Gain: We have to have clear understanding of the two things. We have to do some serious intensive research about this matter. First, we have to calculate that for how long we can carry out shrimp cultivation and how much money (foreign currency) we can earn from it. We also have to take into account about the possible damage that may occur to the environment and the local community as a result of cutting down all the trees. As a result of cutting down all the trees of Chokoria Sundarban, the natural shield in this area has been destroyed and as a result, in the cyclone of 1991, few thousand people died in Badarkhali area. So, we need to have a clear understanding of the contribution of a tree first. Who are getting the benefit from shrimp cultivation? Who are eating the shrimps? Who are getting the money from it? Shrimp cultivation also harms rice production. So, we need to keep these things in mind. You have to keep another thing in your mind. You cannot cultivate shrimp forever. After a few years, you have to stop it. Then, it will take many years to restore natural condition in the area. So, you have to take all these factors into account.
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