With the theme ‘Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration’, the World Wildlife Day-2022 was observed across the country as elsewhere in the world on Thursday (March 3).
Green activists and environmental organisations observed the day in the country through various programmes, including discussions and seminars.
On the occasion, Bangladesh Forest Department arranged a seminar at its headquarters at Agargaon in Dhaka.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin spoke on the occasion as the chief guest.
In his speech, the minister said that the government was doing its best to conserve wildlife. “The Government has declared 51 areas as protected areas for the conservation and development of wildlife habitat. The government has introduced the ‘Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation’ to promote wildlife conservation activities.
Moreover, the Information (Provider) Rewards for Wildlife Crime Disclosure Rules, 2020 has been formulated,” he added.
He further said that at present, various activities are being carried out for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat through 'Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Development Project' and 'SUFAL Project'.
Md Shahab Uddin said,“The feasibility study for the project has recently been completed to determine the current state of habitat connectivity through camera trapping, ensuring possible wildlife corridors. The Wildlife Compensation Rules 2021 have been formulated to resolve the conflict between wildlife and human beings.
Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Center was established in 2019 in Gazipur with the aim of creating trained and skilled manpower and conducting quality research activities for proper management of wildlife and biodiversity.”
He also mentioned that a red list of threatened species has been prepared after assessing the condition of 1619 species of wildlife in Bangladesh.
“Two areas of the country had been declared as safe areas for vultures in 2014 to protect endangered Bengal vultures. Production of diclofenac and ketoprofen, harmful veterinary drugs for vultures, has been banned nationwide. Six areas have been declared 'East Asian Australasian Flyway Sites' for the conservation of migratory birds.
For conservation of dolphins, whales, sharks and other marine animals, 1738 sq km of the Bay of Bengal's 'Swatch of No Ground' area and 1743 sq km of the Bay of Bengal adjacent to St Martin's Island have been declared as Marine Protected Area,” he said.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Mostafa Kamal, Additional Secretary (Admin) Md Iqbal Abdullah Harun and Additional Secretary (Environment) Md Moniruzzaman were present as special guests at the discussion chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury.
Rakibul Amin, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh and Mukit Majumder Babu, Chairman of Nature and Life Foundation were present as discussants.
It may be mentioned that on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, in addition to discussion meetings, wildlife exhibitions were also organized.
The guests released various types of wild birds after the meeting.
Different programmes were organized in 24 districts and divisional cities of the country besides Dhaka, on the occasion of the World Wildlife Day.
