Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said that if forests and wildlife are endangered, human civilization will also suffer, so forests and wildlife must be protected for the sake of the existence of human civilization. To make the wildlife conservation program successful, everyone has to work together to conserve the wildlife habitat. He directed the officials of the forest department to strictly enforce the law for wildlife conservation. The Minister of Environment and Forests said these things while addressing the chief guest at the discussion meeting organized on the occasion of World Wildlife Day-2023 celebration on the theme of ‘Participation of all, wildlife will be saved’ at the Forest Department on Sunday. Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Forest Conservator of the Directorate of Forests, spoke as a special guest at the event, Deputy Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Habibun Nahar; Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed and Dr. Jahangirnagar University Zoology Department spoke as speakers. Mohammad Mostafa Feroze, Mukit Majumder Babu, Chairman of Prakriti & Jeevan Foundation and Imran Ahmad, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Reserve, among others. The forest minister said that the government is implementing various contemporary programs for wildlife conservation. Accordingly, Article 18A was inserted in the Constitution, Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 and Bangladesh Biodiversity Act, 2017 were enacted. The government has declared 24 wildlife sanctuaries, 19 national parks, 2 special biodiversity conservation areas, 3 marine protected areas, 1 botanical garden, 3 ecoparks, 2 vulture safe areas in the country. Also, there are 2 Ramsar sites and 6 flyway sites. Shahab Uddin said, informers are being rewarded under Wildlife Crime Prevention (Informer) Reward Rules. According to the ‘Wild Animal Attack Compensation Rules-2021’, compensation is being given up to Rs 3 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the family of the injured. In order to give national recognition to those engaged in forest and wildlife conservation work, ‘Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation-2012’ is being awarded as per policy. The Wildlife Crime Squad is working to crack down on crime. Drone technology is being used in crime monitoring and management activities in Sundarbans. The Minister said that funds have been provided for wildlife related research through Sufal Scheme. Non-detriment findings have been made to develop an action plan for the conservation of sharks and sharks in Bangladesh and control their trade. ‘Red List of Bangladesh 2015’ has been prepared to know the number of wild animals in the country, their status in nature and threats to their habitat. Various programs are being implemented to save tigers and other animals in the Sundarbans. Thematic presenters at the event; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Forests, Department of Environment and various government and private department officials; Journalists pledge to play their part in wildlife conservation.
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