The 13 tiger range countries in the world should work together in their continued efforts to save the tigers and save nature, said the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin. He said, “The government is working with the determination to conserve wild tigers by achieving zero poaching targets with the active participation of the local community.” The minister hoped that implementation of the joint Kuala Lumpur statement will play a significant role in increasing and stabilizing the tiger population. He said this joining virtually from his official residence in the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation held on Friday. Read: Govt withdraws ban on tourist launch movement in Sundarbans He also said Bangladesh has taken several initiatives for conserving the national animal including other wild species. Adoption of a new clause in the national constitution to protect and improve biodiversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife; Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 has the provision of 2-7 years imprisonment and Tk 1 million fine for tiger poachers, he added. He said National Tiger Recovery Programme (2017-2022) and second-generation Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (2018-2027) also implemented which include tiger survey; genetic study; SMART patrolling and monitoring by drone inside the Sundarbans; capacity building programs for Forest Department officials or staffs as well as local community to ensure protection & conservation of the Sundarbans and Bengal tiger. The minister said, “To mitigate tiger-human conflicts, the administration has engaged the local community in tiger conservation activities by forming Village Tiger Response Team (VTRT), Co-management Committee (CMC) and Community Petrol Group (CPG).” Besides, ‘Wildlife Victim Compensation Rules, 2021’ has the provision to provide up to Tk 3 lakh for a person killed by tiger as compensation. Shahab Uddin said Wildlife Crime Control Unit has been established under the Forest Department to combat illegal wildlife trade. “To strengthen the capacity of wildlife education, research and training, Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Centre has been established which is working as a center of excellence. Bangladesh has a shared tiger habitat with India and we have strengthened our collaboration and signed a protocol for the ‘Conservation of Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans’ in 2011.” This 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation set the common goal of stabilizing wild tiger population and its prey, as well as strengthening the conservation efforts addressing new issues within Tiger Range Countries. Read: Sundarbans tourism: Now focus on automation to improve services The representatives of the Tiger Range Countries resolved to ensure protection and prevent the degradation of tiger habitat as well as their ecological linkages. The conference also resolved to undertake regular country level monitoring and assessment of wild tiger, prey, and habitat, and to strengthen enforcement capacity using appropriate and standard technology for continuous and systematic patrolling to safeguard tiger, prey, and habitat. They also decided to strengthen capacity development for all stakeholders, including the increased use of appropriate technology to improve management effectiveness, and create a platform for interactive knowledge exchange at all levels, and to enhance trans-boundary and bilateral cooperation for tiger conservation. Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Bin Hassan, Minister for Water, Land and Natural Resources, Malaysia presided over the conference whereas ministers of Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal & Russia; Member of Parliaments; delegates from Tiger Range Countries were present in the occasion.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said on Tuesday that the government is working to take a zero tolerance policy to prevent killing of elephants and other wildlife. “Elephant killing should be stopped at any cost. The government took legal action against those involved in the killing of wild elephants in recent times,” said the minister. The minister said at a view-exchange meeting with local administration and people's representatives on elephant conservation and resolving elephant and human conflict and handing over compensation checks to the people affected by elephants in Chattogram. Read: Father, son land in jail for killing elephant in Chattogram He said the government is committed to prevent killing of elephants, tigers or any other wildlife. Referring to various initiatives taken by the government for protecting the elephants, the minister said punishment of elephant killers and compensation for the victims of elephant attack is being ensured along with creating public awareness.  “Arrangements are being made to train the staff of the forest department concerned for resolving the elephant-human conflict, returning the elephants to forests when they enter localities and raising awareness among people,” he said. Moreover, the conventional roads and corridors for elephant movement are being restored, he said adding that banana trees and other herbaceous plants will be cultivated  to ensure supply of elephant feed, he added. The family of a person who was killed in the elephant attack was given Tk 3 lakh and  two others were given Tk 45000 each for crop damage as compensation.  Read:Another elephant found dead in Chattogram Earlier on Nov 22, the High Court directed the government authorities to take prompt action against elephant killings in the country. The court also issued a rule and directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to spread awareness on preventing elephant killings.

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.