The conservation of the Sundarbans and its rich natural heritage took centre stage at the soft launch of the second edition of Enayetullah Khan’s ‘The Bangladesh Sundarban’ at the Cosmos Centre Auditorium in the capital on Monday.

The event brought together conservationists, wildlife experts and photographers with Dr Yanan Wu, Chairman and CEO of Surfin Meta Digital Technology Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-headquartered financial technology solutions provider for the underserved,  attending as the chief guest.

Published by Cosmos Books, the second edition of the book features two new chapters, adding to its documentation of the Sundarban’s wildlife, biodiversity, natural history and the lives and livelihoods of communities closely connected with the mangrove forest.

The programme began with a short video showcasing the activities of WildTeam.

Enayetullah Khan, Founder of WildTeam, Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam, CEO and General Secretary of WildTeam, and renowned ornithologist, wildlife photographer and Bangladesh Bird Club founder Enam Al Haque addressed the gathering before prominent global investment and fintech executive Dr Wu spoke as the chief guest.

Dr Wu  said he was honoured to be associated with the project and described the conservation of the Sundarbans as a meaningful contribution to Bangladesh and humanity.

"It is my honour and privilege to be part of such a great project, such a meaningful contribution to our great nation, especially to a UNESCO World Heritage Site," he said.

Dr Wu said the Sundarbans could offer the world a powerful example of how humans, tigers and nature can live together in harmony.

With more than 26 years of experience in quantitative finance, investment management and financial technology, Dr Wu holds a PhD in Statistical Physics from the University of Western Ontario and conducted postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States.

He said Surfin Meta has operated across emerging markets for the past eight years, reaching around 100 million young customers in 12 countries through financial inclusion services including credit scoring, microcredit cards, remittances and wealth management.

Dr Wu also spoke about his long-standing commitment to education and financial inclusion.

He said a foundation he established in China around 25 years ago has supported around 100,000 children, schools and libraries, particularly helping children in remote areas access education.

He said his experience travelling across emerging markets has convinced him that education and financial access are fundamental to improving people's lives.

Recalling his visit to Dhaka in 2019, Dr Wu said he was struck by the resilience and warmth of ordinary people despite their hardships.

He stressed that technology should be used to bring people together and expressed hope that conservation initiatives such as the Sundarban project could convey a broader message about humanity’s responsibility towards nature.

Dr Wu also expressed hope that Surfin Meta and Cosmos Group could work together on financial technology and financial inclusion initiatives in Bangladesh.

"Hopefully, we can start a financial technology project with Cosmos Group that can bring a powerful message to this nation that technology can help more people enjoy better lives together," he said.

Enayetullah Khan highlighted WildTeam’s journey and its longstanding Sundarbans conservation efforts.

He described the forest as one of Bangladesh’s richest conservation resources and said it covers around 10,000 square kilometres, with roughly 60 percent located in Bangladesh and the remainder in India.

Khan expressed his happiness over the publication of the second edition, which includes two new chapters including one on the ‘Doors of the Forest’ and another on conservation activities.

He also highlighted the Conservation Biology Centre established by WildTeam and the first forest museum in the area, inviting visitors to experience the forest and learn about its biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Khan thanked Dr Wu for supporting the publication of the book and said such initiatives could contribute to greater awareness and conservation of the Sundarbans.

Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam said WildTeam, founded by Khan in 2003, has been working to protect the Sundarbans and its tiger population by involving local communities.

"We have only 125 tigers in the country, and this is the last round for our tigers," he said, stressing the urgency of protecting the remaining tiger population.

He said WildTeam has engaged local communities, including former hunters and forest protectors, in conservation activities, while children are also being involved.

"Today, if you come there, you will see that more than 650 people are volunteers. They are conserving tigers and the forest," he said.

Enam Al Haque described it as a privilege to be part of the event and congratulated the organisers on the publication of the new edition.

In his concluding remarks, Khan said the prospective partnership between Cosmos and Surfin Meta could extend beyond financial technology to education and other areas of social development.

He said the philosophies of the two organisations converge around the idea of creating a positive social impact. "With Surfin's philosophy of great business and Cosmos's philosophy of business, I think there is a convergence."

He also stressed the importance of unity and collective action in working for the national interest, saying differences of opinion should not prevent people from working together for a happier and healthier society.

Another short video highlighting WildTeam’s activities regarding its Conservation Biology Centre was screened at the event.

First published in 2011 by Cosmos Books, ‘The Bangladesh Sundarban’ offers a detailed account of the world's largest mangrove forest, covering its diverse flora and fauna, natural history and the lives, beliefs, social customs and livelihoods of people dependent on the forest.

The book also highlights the Sundarban’s role as a natural barrier against cyclones and tidal surges and features photographs documenting its landscape, people and wildlife.