A total of 146 elephants died in Bangladesh between 2016 and 2025, out of an estimated population of 268 in 2016, according to Forest Department data cited by Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo.
Speaking on Saturday at a discussion titled “Elephant Conservation: Existing Challenges and Way Forward” at the Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, the minister warned that wild elephants—a vital component of the country’s natural heritage and ecosystem—are currently facing a severe existence crisis.
The minister noted that human-elephant conflicts are escalating due to shrinking habitats and movement corridors, deforestation, food shortages, the construction of roads and railways, climate change, and electric traps.
In Bangladesh, wild elephant movement is predominantly concentrated in Sherpur, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Cox’s Bazar.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to implementing effective and co-ordinated measures for safe human-elephant coexistence, Minister Mintoo emphasised that elephant conservation is not merely about preserving animal numbers.
It directly encompasses protecting habitats and corridors, maintaining ecological balance, and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of local communities living alongside elephants.
Highlighting that both humans and elephants face severe risks when elephants enter residential areas or agricultural land, he said that alongside post-incident measures, habitat and corridor protection, identification of conflict-prone areas, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms will be further strengthened.
He identified local residents as essential partners in these conservation efforts.
The minister pointed out that Asian elephants require expansive areas for movement, which presents a complex challenge in a densely populated country like Bangladesh. He stressed that conservation cannot be achieved by a single agency alone and demands effective co-ordination among the Forest Department, law enforcement agencies, local administration, infrastructure authorities, conservation bodies, researchers, and local citizens.
Expressing deep concern over elephant hunting and smuggling in remote border regions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Mintoo called for enhanced co-ordination between the Forest Department and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to step up surveillance. He also urged authorities to factor traditional movement corridors into the initial planning stages of border roads and infrastructure projects to guarantee safe passage for elephants and other large wildlife.
Addressing captive elephant welfare, the minister said that proper records regarding licences, numbers, and conditions must be maintained and regularly monitored.
Allegations of chaining, beating, and torture under the guise of training, alongside commercial exploitation in circuses and other activities, must be rigorously examined through legal and institutional frameworks.
Furthermore, appropriate medical care and responsible treatment must be ensured for captive elephants.
Outlining future action plans, the minister reiterated priorities including habitat and corridor protection, conflict reduction through community engagement, systematic monitoring of captive elephants, and stronger co-ordinated initiatives involving government agencies, conservation groups, researchers, legal experts, and local populations.
The discussion was chaired by former adviser and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Special guests present included, Sherpur-2 Member of Parliament Mohammed Fahim Chowdhury, ornithologist and wildlife expert Muhammad Ali Reza Khan, and Additional Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shamima Begum.
The event was jointly organised by BELA, IUCN Bangladesh, Creative Conservation Alliance, Arannayk, and the Deep Ecology and Snake Conservation Foundation.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the host organisations, officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Forest Department, public and private sector delegates, national and foreign experts, researchers, environmentalists, conservation workers, legal experts, wildlife stakeholders, and journalists from print and electronic media.
