Under the leadership of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the past year has witnessed a series of groundbreaking initiatives to conserve forests, wildlife, and biodiversity, and to strengthen environmental protection and climate resilience.
As part of reversing previous decisions to establish government projects on forest land, 700 acres in Cox’s Bazar and 20 acres reserved for the Bangladesh Football Federation have been reclaimed. Additionally, 9,467 acres 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 have been reclaimed and reforested.
Through the Chunati Forest Restoration Project, efforts have begun to replace invasive Acacia auriculiformis (Akashmoni) with native forest species over 37,182 acres. Similar initiatives are underway in Modhupur and Sherpur, aiming to restore natural forest ecosystems and reestablish elephant corridors.
Successful efforts have been made to reintroduce the extinct native peafowl and protect other 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. The proposed Latitila Safari Park in Moulvibazar has been scrapped, and plans are underway to establish a sanctuary for captive elephants.
Wetlands including Bil Joana and Bil Velas in Rajshahi have been declared sanctuaries, while other biodiversity conservation initiatives are being pursued. The process to amend the Wildlife Act and form a Wildlife Trust has begun. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit has conducted 293 operations, rescuing 5,684 animals, including the recovery of a lemur stolen from a safari park. For the first time in the country’s history, imprisonment has been enforced for wildlife and tree-felling offenses.
In response to public demand, the production, sale, and planting of eucalyptus and acacia saplings have been banned, and such trees have been removed from nurseries. To raise environmental awareness, a campaign to remove nails from trees has been launched. Plans are also underway to establish the country’s first Nature Learning Centre. Youth engagement programs on forest and wildlife conservation and noise pollution prevention have been initiated. Plastic use and picnics have been banned in national parks, eco-parks, and botanical gardens. Additionally, 144 acres in Purbachal have been declared a Special Biodiversity Area.
Key initiatives in environmental and climate protection include the ban on illegal polythene use in Dhaka’s shopping malls and increased enforcement in fresh markets. A collaborative project with the Ministry of Textiles and Jute has been launched to promote eco-friendly jute bags. To combat air pollution, a National Air Quality Management Plan has been developed, and 830 illegal brick kilns have been demolished. Eighteen unauthorized lead factories have been shut down, and Dhaka’s Savar-Ashulia area 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. In Gazipur’s Gacha canal area, connections of nine polluting companies have been cut, and all illegal polythene factories shut down. Under the BEST project, 37 new buildings for the Department of Environment are under construction. Land records of hills from 16 districts are being collected and digitized. With funding from the Climate Change Trust Fund, 41 projects worth BDT 351 crore have been approved, and the ‘Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership’ finalized. Work is ongoing to finalize eight laws, rules, and guidelines related to environment and forest protection.
Under the stewardship of Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the country’s journey in environmental protection, forest and wildlife conservation, and climate adaptation calls for the active participation of all citizens.