United News of Bangladesh

For 35 years, American zoologist Laurie Marker has been collecting and preserving cheetah sperm at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, creating a “frozen zoo” that may one day be critical for the species’ survival. Marker, one of the world’s leading cheetah experts, said the bank would only be used in extreme circumstances to aid artificial reproduction if wild populations continue to decline. Today, fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remain in the wild, with most populations numbering under 100, spread across Africa. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trade threaten their survival, while shrinking gene pools reduce reproduction rates. Rising exotic pet trade spurs calls for tighter international rules Globally, cheetah numbers have dropped 80% in the past 50 years, and genetic diversity is limited, with 70-80% of sperm showing abnormalities. Storing reproductive material is a proven conservation tool used for rhinos, elephants, big cats, and other endangered species. Marker draws samples opportunistically from injured, captured, or deceased cheetahs, currently preserving specimens from around 400 animals in liquid nitrogen. With captive cheetahs breeding poorly, the sperm bank could become a last resort to prevent extinction, ensuring the species has a chance to survive for future generations. Source: AP 

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked first on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 296 at 9:50 am this morning (December 4, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ referring to an alarming threat, according to the AQI index. Such air quality persisted over the past few days. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Read more: How Can One Person Reduce Environmental Pollution? India’s Delhi, Kolkata and Pakistan’s Lahore cities respectively occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 278, 233, and 199 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh?

The booming exotic pet trade is prompting conservationists to push for stronger regulations to protect reptiles, birds, and other wildlife increasingly sold online and showcased on social media. The concern is rising as live animals become more accessible to buyers without visiting pet stores. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meeting this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is considering proposals to restrict or ban the trade of species including Galápagos iguanas, multiple Latin American tarantulas, and Africa’s Home’s Hinged-back Tortoise. Susan Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society highlighted the shift from traditional wildlife trade, such as ivory and tiger parts, to live animals purchased online. “They don’t have to go into a pet shop,” she said. “Endangered and illegally obtained species are just a click away.” Matt Collis of the International Fund for Animal Welfare warned that social media influencers and online marketplaces have fueled demand. Animals from Latin America are increasingly trafficked regionally and internationally, with reptiles making up 60% of seizures, birds nearly 30%, and amphibians over 10%. Many illegally captured animals are shipped to Europe, Asia, and the United States. Some species have already seen protections approved. The critically endangered Home’s Hinged-back Tortoise now faces a commercial trade ban. Two Ethiopian vipers were also granted stricter trade rules, while proposals for rattlesnakes, geckos, sloths, and Galápagos iguanas are still under discussion. Ecuador highlighted that iguanas are often illegally collected and smuggled to Asian markets, fetching up to $25,000 on the black market. The U.S. supports most of these proposals, though it opposes the rattlesnake listing. Governments approve stronger protections for sharks and rays Experts say loopholes in the CITES permitting system allow traders to launder wild-caught animals as captive-bred, undermining the rules meant to protect species. “Captive breeding was meant to reduce pressure on wild populations, but it often creates a market for cheaper wild-caught animals,” Lieberman explained. Pet trade groups, including the U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers, argue that some proposals are excessive, noting that captive-bred specimens pose little threat to wild populations. Meanwhile, a report from the Center for Biological Diversity notes that the U.S. imports around 90 million live exotic animals annually, fueling biodiversity loss. “Wildlife exploitation, including for the pet trade, is a major driver of the global extinction crisis,” the report states, warning that urgent action is needed to protect species for future generations. Source: AP 

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday emphasized the vital role of Bangladesh's export-oriented industries in shaping the country’s global brand and identity. “Today, ‘Made in Bangladesh’ is a symbol of pride in the international market,” she said. To maintain this reputation, Rizwana urged the garment industry to take a more proactive role in environment-friendly production, protection of labor rights, and sustainable management practices. She made the remarks while speaking virtually at an event titled “The Potentiality of Bangladesh RMG Sector: The Way Forward”, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, as part of the Global Sourcing Expo 2025. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). Rizwana said compliance with labour laws, ensuring a safe working environment, efficient water management, and strong governance in waste management are now essential to maintaining competitiveness in the global market. She reiterated the need for minimising water wastage and adopting recycling systems as pollution of rivers and canals, by industrial waste, poses a serious threat to both the environment and the industries. The environment adviser said the government will be compelled to take strict measures against any violations. Highlighting Bangladesh's global leadership in sustainability, she noted that the country's garment sector now hosts some of the world's highest numbers of Green Factory certified facilities, which has positioned the sector on the international standard of sustainable development. "You have set a powerful example," she said. Rizwana said while the government is working to convert public buildings into green structures, the industrial sector can play a major role in advancing this transformation. She also underscored the importance of complying with emerging environmental regulations in Europe and the United Kingdom - particularly regarding plastic packaging and supply-chain standards. The adviser cautioned that global markets are changing rapidly and urged the garment industry to prepare without delay.  "Failure to adopt sustainable production methods and environmentally friendly packaging could make future competition more challenging," she added. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, along with other leaders and stakeholders, also addressed the event.

Air pollution remains one of the biggest challenges for Bangladesh, with its capital ranked as the 4th most polluted city in the world on Monday morning (December 01, 2025). At 10:10 am, Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 215. Pakistan’s Lahore  and India’s Delhi occupied the first and second  spots, with AQI scores of 338 and 288 respectively. Besides, India’s Kolkata is in 3rd position with AQI score 233, according to IQAir. An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as very unhealthy, while a reading between 301 and 400 is deemed hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents. Read more: Dhaka's air quality turns `unhealthy for sensitive groups’ AQI — an index for reporting daily air quality — is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air in a particular city is, and what associated health effects may be of concern. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO₂, CO, SO₂ and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution. Its air quality usually becomes unhealthy during winter and improves during the monsoon. A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka “are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles, and dust from construction sites”. With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality deteriorates sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction work, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh? Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh is facing a severe ecological crisis as forest land shrinks and urban green cover dwindles, with officials revealing that 2.5 lakh acres of forest have been illegally encroached upon nationwide. Furthermore, in the densely populated capital of Dhaka, the environmental balance has reached a critical low, where oxygen of a single tree is shared among nearly 28 people on average. This alarming data was presented on Sunday by Md. Zahidul Kabir, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests at the Forest Department, during his keynote speech at the closing ceremony of a four-day international conference and workshop titled ‘Political Commitment in Agriculture and Food.’ The event, organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF), was held at the Cotton Development Board auditorium in Dhaka. He emphasized the dire situation in Dhaka, stating that a person requires at least 550 liters of oxygen daily, which necessitates a minimum of three fully grown trees for a sustainable supply. "We are living in a grave crisis. In Dhaka, the reality is that there is only one tree for every 28 people," said Kabir. He further noted that compared to 2015, the country's afforestation has decreased by one lakh acres, with the hilly regions alone accounting for a reduction of 83,000 acres. Human activities are significantly damaging the country's biodiversity and ecosystems, according to the Deputy Chief of Forest Conservator. Major threats include-poaching and illegal construction, forest encroachment, fire incidents, and mangrove destruction and unregulated vessel movement. These factors, compounded by the pressures of climate change, are making the forests increasingly vulnerable. Kabir also provided figures on the country's carbon stock, stating that the total tree cover (inside and outside forest areas) holds 973 million tons of carbon, with forest areas alone storing 251 million tons. He mentioned the distribution of 4.19 lakh free saplings to individuals as part of a forest expansion program, an initiative expected to encourage tree planting and enhance the country's long-term carbon sequestration capacity. Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, who attended as the chief guest, underscored the importance of forests in combating climate change. "Afforestation is the most effective and low-cost natural solution to tackle climate change,” Chowdhury stated. He pointed out that while global consumption and resulting carbon emissions are rising, Bangladesh is especially vulnerable due to its extremely high population density, about 1,200 people per square kilometer. He contrasted this with countries like Russia, which has 20 percent of the world's total forest area but a population density of only 9 people per square kilometer, highlighting the immense pressure on Bangladesh's limited forest resources. Chowdhury also noted that while the recommended minimum green space for a city like Dhaka is 20 percent, the two city corporations currently possess just over 10% green cover. Abul Kalam Azad, Chief Executive of Planter Skill Development and a researcher at Dhaka University, attended as a special guest and emphasized the need for political will to realize the nation's potential in agriculture and environment. He identified several challenges hampering progress, including-political non-cooperation and a crisis of values, lack of proper distribution policies and leadership, syndicate formation, political vendettas, and weak implementation on the ground. He concluded that ensuring good governance and cultivating value-driven individuals is crucial to achieving desired changes in food security and environmental protection. The conference, which saw participation from 180 journalists and communication specialists. BAJF President Shahanuware Shaid Shahin and General Secretary Abu Khali also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh on Sunday launched its National Roadmap for establishing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), aiming to ensure that every citizen receives timely and effective alerts against climate-related disasters. The roadmap was introduced at the “National Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap Dissemination and Sharing Workshop,” at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) conference hall. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief arranged the workshop with support from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, BTRC, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and the World Food Programme (WFP). The initiative aligns with the global “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All) campaign, announced by the UN Secretary-General in 2022, which seeks to bring the entire world under early warning coverage by 2027, said a press release. Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Faruk E Azam  said the roadmap reflects a national commitment to protect vulnerable people. “This roadmap is not just a plan; it is our commitment to the people of Bangladesh to minimise the loss of lives of disaster-affected citizens and to protect our limited resources,” he said. Kabir Md Ashraf Alam, Secretary of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, stressed the importance of reaching every citizen with life-saving information. “Our goal is very clear – to ensure that every person in Bangladesh receives timely and effective early warnings,” he said, noting that the organization’s nationwide volunteer network has been delivering rapid and reliable messages since 1972. Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks said, “Early warning is not merely a tool; it is a fundamental right. Preparedness saves lives and resources. Effective systems support human security, economic stability, and sustainable development.” BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari emphasized the role of technology in delivering accurate alerts. Around 140 senior participants joined the workshop including officials from key ministries such as Disaster Management and Relief, Environment, Finance, and top representatives from BTRC, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and Disaster Management Department. Delegates from the UN, development partners, and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society also took part. The event featured open discussions and a high-level panel on the strategic importance of implementing the roadmap nationally.

At a wildlife trade conference in Uzbekistan, governments agreed Friday to strengthen protections for over 70 species of sharks and rays, responding to concerns that overfishing is pushing some toward extinction. The new measures ban international trade in oceanic whitetip sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks. They also tighten rules for gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks, allowing trade only when sources are verified as legal, sustainable, and traceable. Zero-annual export quotas were set for several guitarfish and wedgefish species, effectively halting most legal international trade. Conservationists hailed the decision as a milestone. Luke Warwick of the Wildlife Conservation Society said the protections reflect a “powerful show of leadership and solidarity” from countries across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia. Barbara Slee of the International Fund for Animal Welfare noted that over 100 million sharks are killed annually, often for fins, meat, oil, or gills, and called the measures a critical step to rebalance human impacts on these ancient species. The treaty, part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has previously expanded protections for more than 90 shark species, including hammerheads, requiem sharks, and guitarfish. Adopted in 1975, CITES has also been instrumental in curbing illegal trade in ivory, rhino horns, whales, and sea turtles. While the conference strengthened shark protections, conservationists said other decisions were more mixed. Export regulations for saiga antelope horn were relaxed, though the species was recently upgraded from critically endangered to near threatened thanks to improved law enforcement and habitat conservation. Experts say the latest shark and ray protections are vital for sustainable marine ecosystems, emphasizing that humans pose far greater threats to these species than they do to us.

COAST Foundation, a national NGO based in Bangladesh, on Saturday wrapped up a five-year cooperative-based agricultural development initiative with a national-level workshop held at a city hotel in the capital, bringing together government officials, academics, development partners and farmers’ organizations. The event reviewed project achievements, discussed future strategies and renewed commitments to strengthening small-scale farmers across Bangladesh. Speakers stressed that farmers’ cooperatives are crucial for promoting ecological agriculture, boosting rural economies and ensuring food security. Despite producing 60–70% of the country’s food, small-scale farmers still face malnutrition and insecurity, they noted. S M Sohrab Uddin, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, underscored the need for careful crop planning and product selection before cultivation. Mariel Zimmermann, Programme Officer of IFAD’s Asia and Pacific Division, highlighted the importance of documenting best practices to support replication. Md Mohsin Ali, Executive Director of WAVE Foundation, called for wider adoption of agroecology, organic fertilizers and safe food production methods. Moderating the session, COAST Foundation Executive Director M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the country must return to ecological agriculture to avoid the long-term harms of chemical-dependent farming. Presenting the keynote, Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, Deputy Executive Director of COAST Foundation, said Tk 2.08 crore in revolving financing has been provided to six farmers’ organizations. He added that youth engagement in farming increased by more than 25% during the project period. Gawher Nayeem Warha, Member Secretary of Disaster Forum and Acting Chairperson of COAST Foundation, urged wider dissemination of impact stories to draw more young people into agriculture. Hunger Free World Country Director Ataur Rahman Miton said cooperatives empower farmers to secure fair prices, access markets collectively and build resilience. Ahmed Borhan, Director of the Center for Social Research, pointed to the growing elderly population in rural areas and called for research and campaigns on fair pricing for agricultural products. Alauddin Sikder, President of Goiata Cooperative (GKUSSL), highlighted the cooperative’s role in indigenous seed production and monitoring input prices. Mahfuza Akter, President of GKUSSL’s Youth Committee, stressed the need to expand saline-tolerant seed varieties, especially in coastal regions. Young participants also shared impact stories demonstrating the transformative potential of cooperative farming. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives, bring them under the Ministry of Agriculture, and ensure greater participation of women and youth.

A special joint anti-pollution drive was carried out across Dhaka city on Saturday, resulting in 32 cases, fines totalling Tk 255,000, and the seizure of several hydraulic horns. The operation was led by the Department of Environment (DoE) and conducted in collaboration with multiple agencies, including the BRTA, Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, RAJUK, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, RAB, BNCC, Bangladesh Scouts, Green Voice, Fire Service and Civil Defense. A total of 10 magistrate teams took part in the drive, with the DoE operating three teams independently. Under the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, two mobile courts were operated in the Engineers Institution Bangladesh (IEB) area and Uttara, where Tk 11,000 in fines were imposed in five cases and 12 hydraulic horns were seized. Several drivers were also warned on the spot. Another mobile court conducted in the IEB area targeted vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. The court lodged 15 cases, imposing Tk 70,000 in fines. Drivers were cautioned about maintaining environmentally friendly vehicles. In accordance with the Air Pollution Control Rules 2022, two mobile courts were held in Basila Mohammadpur and Uttara Diabari, focusing on dust pollution caused by construction materials. These drives resulted in eight cases and fines of Tk 155,000. Nearby establishments were instructed to adopt measures to curb dust pollution. For violations of Section 6(k) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (amended 2010)—which prohibits the production, sale, supply, and marketing of banned polythene—another mobile court in Uttara filed five cases, imposing Tk 19,000 in fines. Market and shop owners were made aware of the ban, while leaflets were distributed to raise public awareness. The Department of Environment said such operations will continue regularly across Dhaka and elsewhere in the country to protect public health and the environment.