DHAKA, Aug 8, (V7N) – Over the past year, Bangladesh has experienced a period of significant environmental transformation, driven by a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at conserving forests, wildlife, and biodiversity, while also strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience. The success has been achieved under the leadership of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, according to a press release from the ministry.

In a move to reverse previous decisions, the ministry has reclaimed a substantial amount of forest land previously designated for government and institutional projects. This includes 700 acres in Cox's Bazar and 20 acres reserved for the Bangladesh Football Federation. Additionally, 9,467 acres of land in Sonadia and 155.70 acres allocated to Jafar Alam Cadet College have been recovered. From August 2024 to June 2025, a total of 5,093 acres of forest land were reclaimed and afforested. Efforts are also underway through the Chunati Forest Restoration Project to replace invasive Acacia auriculiformis (Akashmoni) with native species over 37,182 acres, with similar initiatives being pursued in Modhupur and Sherpur to restore natural forest ecosystems and reestablish elephant corridors.

The ministry's efforts have also focused on protecting the country's wildlife. Initiatives have been successfully implemented to reintroduce the native peafowl and protect species such as sambars, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, and elephants. To mitigate human-wildlife conflict, 159 Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have been formed, and awareness campaigns are ongoing. In a significant policy shift, the proposed Latitila Safari Park in Moulvibazar has been scrapped in favor of establishing a sanctuary for captive elephants. Furthermore, wetlands, including Bil Joana and Bil Velas in Rajshahi, have been declared sanctuaries, and the process to amend the Wildlife Act and establish a Wildlife Trust is underway. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit has conducted 293 operations, rescuing 5,684 animals, and for the first time in the country’s history, imprisonment has been enforced for wildlife and tree-felling offenses.

In a direct response to public demand, the production, sale, and planting of eucalyptus and acacia saplings have been banned, and these trees have been removed from nurseries. To foster environmental awareness, a campaign to remove nails from trees has been launched, and plans are in place to establish the country's first Nature Learning Centre. Youth engagement programs on forest and wildlife conservation and noise pollution prevention have also been initiated. Plastic use and picnics have been prohibited in national parks, eco-parks, and botanical gardens, and 144 acres of land in Purbachal have been declared a Special Biodiversity Area.

Key initiatives in environmental and climate protection include a ban on illegal polythene use in Dhaka’s shopping malls and markets. A collaborative project with the Ministry of Textiles and Jute is promoting eco-friendly jute bags. To combat air pollution, a National Air Quality Management Plan has been developed, 830 illegal brick kilns have been demolished, and 18 unauthorized lead factories have been shut down. The Savar-Ashulia area in Dhaka has been officially declared a degraded air shed. In collaboration with BRTA, campaigns against unfit and outdated vehicles have been intensified. Youth-led campaigns have been conducted to address noise pollution, and in Gazipur’s Gacha canal area, nine polluting waste connections were severed and illegal polythene factories were shut down.

Under the BEST project, 37 new buildings for the Department of Environment are currently under construction, and land records of hills from 16 districts are being collected and digitized. With funding from the Climate Change Trust Fund, 41 projects worth Taka 351 crore have been approved, and the ‘Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership’ has been finalized. Work is ongoing to finalize eight laws, rules, and guidelines related to environment and forest protection. The ministry press release concluded by stating that this journey in environmental protection, forest and wildlife conservation, and climate adaptation requires the active participation of all citizens under the stewardship of Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

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