About 17 percent land of Bangladesh could be permanently lost as a result of rising sea level due to climate change, local newspaper Fiancial Express reported Friday.

"The direct and indirect effects of climate change will displace people, threaten food security in the region, increase the scarcity of fresh water, and lead to loss of life and property, " Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute R. K. Pachauri was quoted as saying.

"Studies have shown that as a result of rising sea levels and agricultural changes, we could have 150 million environmental refugees by 2050," he added.

Pachauri said extreme climatic events like cyclones, droughts and floods would become more frequent, and the incidence of respiratory and infectious diseases can increase.

He called on the cooperation between local and international organizations to face together the threats of climate change.

Source: Xinhua