TIB urges reconsideration of JICA-funded coastal road project in Coxs Bazar over environmental risks
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Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the construction of a road and coastal protection embankment on the Saugandha-Kalatali beach in Cox’s Bazar, an ecologically critical area. The anti-corruption watchdog has formally urged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to reconsider the joint project, which is currently being implemented with Japanese funding.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman warned that development projects cannot be considered sustainable if they destroy natural sand dunes, coastal vegetation, and biodiversity. He emphasized that these natural features serve as a vital defensive barrier against storms, tidal surges, and coastal erosion. The destruction of this ecosystem threatens to disrupt natural drainage systems and undermine the long-term climate resilience of the coastline.
TIB has called upon the implementing authorities to disclose whether a comprehensive assessment of long-term climate and environmental risks was conducted prior to the commencement of the project. The organization pointed out that JICA’s own guidelines for environmental and social considerations mandate the avoidance or mitigation of harm, the exploration of alternatives, and the meaningful participation of stakeholders. TIB asserted that JICA and the relevant authorities must transparently verify that these protective measures were followed in such a sensitive area.
The environmental concerns extend beyond the immediate construction site, as the project implicates the international commitments of both Bangladesh and Japan regarding climate and biodiversity preservation. Both nations are signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. TIB questioned how the current construction aligns with Japan’s goal of achieving a nature-positive economy by 2030 and its pledge to align development assistance with the targets of the Paris Agreement.
TIB has requested that the Japanese government and JICA make all information regarding the environmental and social impacts of the project public. Furthermore, the organization is demanding an independent and impartial environmental and technical review. In the event that ecological damage has already occurred, TIB called for a credible restoration plan, including the rehabilitation of sand dunes and local coastal vegetation, urging a complete reconsideration of the project’s design and necessity.
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