The government will launch a structured programme to increase state-controlled forest coverage to 20 per cent of Bangladesh’s total land area, from 15.58 per cent, Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Saturday.
According to a press release, she made the remarks while presiding over a meeting on Forest Department development at the Forest Bhaban in the capital.
She said afforestation will be carried out on newly emerged riverine chars, coastal zones and fallow lands, with modern training introduced to enhance the skills of forest workers.
The adviser stressed integrated measures to expand and protect forests, conserve biodiversity and address climate change impacts.
She said a digital monitoring system will be introduced in the Forest Department to ensure transparency and efficiency in its activities.
As part of endangered wildlife conservation, an elephant corridor restoration programme will be launched, along with a dedicated orphanage for captive elephants.
Community tourism projects will be introduced in the Madhupur area to boost local economies while conserving nature.
Plans also include establishing a nature learning centre in Purbachal to foster environmental awareness among children and adolescents.
“Our forests are not merely a collection of trees – they are a shield for our lives. We must all come forward to expand and conserve our forests,” Rizwana said.
The meeting was attended by Environment Ministry Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Joint Secretary (Forest) Shamima Begum, Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury and other senior officials from the ministry and the Forest Department.