Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said that the construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Moulvibazar’s Juri upazila will open a new horizon in wildlife conservation. The construction of the Safari Park will attract foreign tourists, create employment, and above all improve the quality of life of the people in the area.  He said that the Safari Park will be built here ensuring the safety of the people living in the area. Another bus set ablaze in Dhaka’s Jatrabari The minister said in a video message to the people of his constituency from his official residence after Ecnec approving the 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (1st phase)' project for the construction of a safari park at Lathila in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar on Thursday (November 9). He said that measures will be taken to preserve endangered wildlife of Bangladesh in this safari park.  A natural habitat for wildlife especially elephants, mechho cats, banrui, khatleji monkeys, asami monkeys, gandhakulas, maya deer, bespectacled Hanuman, bears and porcupines will be created. Ecnec nods 44 projects worth Tk 39,094 crore Opportunities for education and research on wildlife conservation and management will be created. Helpless orphans and rescued critically-endangered elephants will be treated by setting up elephant rescue centers.  Safe shelters will be developed for endangered species of wildlife such as tigers, rhinos, lions, crocodiles, gharials, para deer, sambar deer, nilgai and bears. The forest minister said that wildlife hospitals will be established for the treatment of injured and rescued wildlife and public awareness will be created about wildlife conservation. Excavation of ponds and lakes to improve habitat for aquatic and migratory birds and ensure food security for wildlife and planting of fruit trees, grasslands and various species of trees to improve habitat. Rosatom’s ‘Global Atomic Quiz’ Friday Plantation of one lakh saplings for conservation of rare and endangered plant species, construction of retaining walls on hill slopes and foothills to prevent soil erosion.  Also, the Natural History Museum and Nature Observation Center will be constructed here. The project to install a two kilometers long cable car in Madhabkunda Eco Park is awaiting Ecnec approval, he said.

Environment, Forest and Climate Changes Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Sunday announced rewards for information about dolphin killers. “Those who will provide the Forest Department with the information of Dolphin killers, they will be rewarded,” he said while addressing a discussion in the city. The Forest Department organised the discussion marking the International Freshwater Dolphin Day 2021. READ: Govt finalizes the "Dolphin Conservation Action Plan" The minister said the government is very sincere in protecting dolphins.  But some people killed dolphins intentionally for various reasons including collection of its oil. Mentioning the government’s measures to protect dolphins, he said seven teams were formed to conserve the dolphin in the Sundarbans. Such conservation teams will also be formed for other areas. Besides, fishermen will be trained to conserve dolphins, he said. The minister said the government has so far announced nine dolphin sanctuaries. Another dolphin sanctuary will be created, he added. Dolphin Action Plan and Dolphin Atlas have been prepared, he said, adding that a plan was also taken to assess the number of Dolphins in Halda River and manage these. The government incorporated a punitive provision of the maximum five-year jail or highest Tk 5 lakh fine for repeated killings of dolphins in the Wildlife (Conservation and Security( Act, he mentioned. READ: Another dead dolphin found in Halda River Deputy Minister for Environment Habibun Nahar and Environment Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal, among others, addressed the discussion presided over by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, said a PID handout.

A nature-based approach is the most effective way to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and achieve sustainable development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday. Bangladesh has been putting efforts into achieving sustainable development goals, placing climate, nature and development at its heart, he said. The country has adopted a green growth strategy in its 8th Five Year Plan and Bangladesh Perspective Plan 2021-2041 to harmonise economic growth with environmental sustainability to create a climate-resilient nation, Shahab added. Read: Climate crisis no longer a looming crisis: Mia Seppo The minister made the remarks during the Fourth United Nations Environment Program Session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of the Asia-Pacific held Thursday in South Korea, joining virtually from Dhaka. The government has adopted the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to achieve a safe, climate-resilient and prosperous delta by ensuring long-term water and food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability while effectively reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and building resilience to climate change, Shahab said. To cut GHG emissions, Bangladesh has revised and submitted Enhanced Updated NDCs on August 26 this year, enhancing both the unconditional and conditional contributions with ambitious quantifiable mitigation targets, he added. Read: Bangladesh, UK issue collective call for ‘ambitious action’ against climate change Shahab Uddin said Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2030, finalised by Bangladesh, has recognised the co-benefits of maximising share of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, giving importance to climate-resilient nature-based approaches of development and due consideration on Locally Led Adaptation. The country is also working on implementing its sectoral policies and action plans like Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Country Investment Plan on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, Renewable Energy Roadmap, Plastic Waste Management Action Plan, the minister said. 

Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has pointed out that climate change is one of the biggest challenges to Bangladesh becoming the 25th largest economically prosperous country in the world by 2050. "It is said that Bangladesh's economy is more at risk to climate change than any country," he said at the knowledge sharing workshop of the ICBAAR project at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday. He said that to sustain the economic growth, the government is emphasising climate change mitigation in its policies. "Therefore, in the National Adaptation Action Plan (NAPA) and the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCAP), participation of local communities in climate change mitigation has been considered paramount." He said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken initiatives for green budget for all ministries. Also read: 'No time to waste': A clarion call for action against climate change UNDP initiated integrating community-based Adaptation into Afforestation and Reforestation Program (ICBAAR) in 2017 to increase species diversity in the coastal forest, which resulted in enhanced socio-economic benefits to local communities from the forests. It was supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and implemented through the Bangladesh Forest Department in collaboration with seven ministries and departments of government, with the financial support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) For the last four years, the project has been providing climate-resilient, innovative and ecosystem-based diversified livelihood support to 8,600 coastal, poor and forest-dependent households to adapt to climate change, said UNDP.  The project makes a conscious effort to empower women and their involvement in advancing resilience in coastal areas, of which over 52 percent are women. Also read: Swedish minister happy with Bangladesh’s use of climate change adaptation support "ICBAAR activities have piqued the interest of the coastal communities, and many are adapting to innovative livelihood options introduced by the project. I hope these activities are rolled out to other coastal areas of Bangladesh for overall strengthening of the vulnerable population," the minister said. Appreciating the project interventions, Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar said, "I believe the Project learnings, best practices and knowledge products can be included in future Coastal Climate Change planning, which will make today's effort more fruitful." "Adopting a green, clean production agenda will be imperative if Bangladesh wants to meet export-led growth ambition in the post-LDC graduation period," said UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee. "This is the forests that protect us from cyclones and climate impacts. Now it is our moral responsibilities to protect them," he added. Also read: Global Youth Climate Summit 2021 urges pressing actions to combat climate change "ICBAAR was successful in building key strategic partnerships, cooperating with relevant institutions, and building linkages with other projects. The project adopted co-management approach and acted as a platform of collaboration for multiple government, non-government organisations and individuals, which represents an excellent recipe for future replication on other projects or to other areas." "We must seize the opportunity to properly utilise the enormous project learnings generated through concerted efforts of various sectors," the UNDP RR said. The workshop was chaired by the ministry’s Secretary Ziaul Hasan while Chief Conservator of Forest Amir Hossain Chowdhury was the special guest. UNDP's Program Specialist Arif M Faisal and ICBAAR Project Manager Dr Muhammed Muzammel Hoque gave keynote presentations.

The High Court (HC) on Sunday directed the authority concerned to shut down all illegal brick kilns that do not have license within February 18.

The government has undertaken a project involving the general people to bring down noise pollution to a tolerable level, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Thursday.

Bangladesh is fully committed to take all measures to tackle climate change to protect the people from its adverse impacts, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin said Monday.

Illegal occupants will be evicted from the forest lands and the forests will be brought back. The country will be turned into green Bengal by planting more and more trees.

Trees will fill places in Cox’s Bazar left vacant by Rohingyas who have and will set for Bhashan Char in phases.

Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Tuesday said that increased use of public transport instead of private vehicles can reduce air pollution caused by harmful emissions.