Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Monday urged all concerned to come forward to protect the dolphins of the country.
“The government has prepared the Dolphin Action Plan and declared nine dolphin sanctuaries to conserve the country’s dolphins,” he said while speaking at a discussion organised at the Department of Forest here marking the International Freshwater Dolphin Day-2022.
The theme of the day of this year is "Protect the dolphins, protect the aquatic ecosystem".
Speaking as chief guest, Shahab Uddin said seven dolphin conservation teams have been formed in the Sundarbans area, while appropriate training has been imparted to the concerned forest personnel.
Dolphin conservation programme is going on under SUFAL project, he said, adding that dolphins should be protected to keep the river and aquatic biodiversity of the country healthy.
The environment minister said the Wildlife (Conservation and Safety) Act 2012 has a provision of imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to Taka three lakhs or both for killing whales or dolphins.
“This law is being implemented. A Marine Protected Area has been declared covering an area of 1,738 square kilometers of Swatch of No Ground area in the Bay of Bengal for the conservation of dolphins.
“In order to involve the people in dolphin conservation, various school-colleges and community-based dolphin awareness activities are being conducted and dolphin fairs are being arranged,” he said adding that the government is working sincerely to save the aquatic species.
Shahab Uddin said the number of dolphins in the Sundarbans has increased significantly as a result of the government’s activities.
In the three sanctuaries of Sundarbans - Dhangmari, Dudhmukhi and Chandpai - the growth rate is 55 percent, which is serving as a milestone for dolphin conservation in the country, he said.
He said it is not possible for the government, forest department or any organisation alone to save the freshwater dolphins.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chairman of Nature and Life Foundation Mukit Majumdar Babu and Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh Rakibul Amin spoke as special guests at the discussion with Chief Conservator of Forest Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury in the chair.
Thematic presentations were made by Divisional Forest Officer of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Sylhet, Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and Professor of Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University Md Mustafa Feroz.
Conservator of Forests (Wildlife and Nature Reserve) Imran Ahmed delivered the welcome speech.
