In the past year, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, under the leadership of Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has made significant strides in forest conservation, wildlife protection, and environmental resilience, according to a press statement.
A key achievement was the reclamation of over 5,000 acres of forest land, including 700 acres in Cox’s Bazar and 9,467 acres in Sonadia. The Ministry also reversed land allocations for non-forestry purposes, reclaiming 20 acres for the Bangladesh Football Federation and 155.70 acres for Jafar Alam Cadet College.
The Chunati Forest Restoration Project is underway to replace invasive species like Acacia auriculiformis with native trees across 37,182 acres. Similar projects in Modhupur and Sherpur aim to restore elephant corridors.
In wildlife conservation, the Ministry successfully reintroduced the native peafowl and safeguarded species such as sambars, capped langurs, and hoolock gibbons. To combat human-wildlife conflict, 159 Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have been formed.
Wetlands like Bil Joana and Bil Velas in Rajshahi were declared sanctuaries, and the Wildlife Act is being amended. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit rescued 5,684 animals, enforcing legal actions, including imprisonment for wildlife and tree-felling offences.
In a bid to curb harmful species, the Ministry banned the production and sale of eucalyptus and acacia saplings. Plans for a Nature Learning Centre are in progress, and awareness campaigns have begun to stop tree damage, including removing nails from trees.
Key climate initiatives include the introduction of a National Air Quality Management Plan, the demolition of 830 illegal brick kilns, and the shutdown of 18 unauthorised lead factories. Dhaka’s Savar-Ashulia area was declared a degraded air shed, and unfit vehicles were targeted in collaboration with BRTA.
The Ministry has also promoted eco-friendly jute bags and banned illegal polythene use in markets. Youth campaigns focused on forest conservation and noise pollution have been launched.
With funding from the Climate Change Trust Fund, 41 projects worth BDT 351 crore were approved. The BEST project has begun constructing 37 new buildings for the Department of Environment. Additionally, land records of hills in 16 districts are being digitised.
These efforts represent the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and climate resilience.