Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated that the government is actively working to ensure the coexistence of wild elephants and humans.
As part of this effort, a plan is being developed to promote peaceful coexistence between elephants and humans in the KEPZ area of Chattogram.
She stressed the need for everyone’s cooperation in this endeavor.
She made these remarks at a meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, where progress on the activities of a specialist committee addressing elephant protection and conflict resolution in the KEPZ and surrounding areas was reviewed.
The Advisor noted that specific zones for elephant movement should be identified through tracking and analysis of their migration routes. A collaborative effort involving KEPZ, the Forest Department, IUCN, district administration, and experts will be implemented.
Additionally, five new Elephant Response Teams will be formed and trained.
Meanwhile, a separate operation against illegal polythene manufacturers was conducted in the Chawkbazar area of Dhaka.
Three factories had their power connections disconnected and were sealed, with 2,460 kg of banned polythene seized. Led by Executive Magistrate Kazi Tamzid Ahmed of the Department of Environment, this operation was supported by the army, RAB, and police. Such anti-polythene operations will continue.
Separately, at the ‘First Grant Ceremony’ event of the Bangladesh-US Friendship Project held at Hotel Sheraton, the Advisor, as Chief Guest, urged NGOs to work on women’s empowerment, food security, child rights, education, health, and environmental development.
She emphasized the need to work together, with values guiding efforts to build an equitable society.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
