DHAKA, March 4, (V7N) — On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, the environmental organization Dharatri Raksha Amara (Dhara) submitted a comprehensive memorandum to Shaikh Faridul Islam, the State Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, demanding immediate action to safeguard Bangladesh's dwindling wildlife and forest cover.

The memorandum was presented at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon by a delegation led by Sharif Jamil, Member Secretary of Dhara’s central committee. The group included prominent environmentalists, legal experts, and youth leaders from various universities.
13 Core Demands for Ecological Security

The memorandum outlines a series of urgent interventions required to prevent further environmental degradation:

Scientific Assessments: Conduct Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for the southwestern (Sundarbans) and southeastern regions in consultation with UN-UNESCO.

Sundarbans Protection: Halt the movement of oil and coal vessels in the Pashur River, close the Rampal Power Plant, and launch joint-force operations against forest pirates.

END/

Chunati Sanctuary: Adopt a "Zero Tolerance" policy toward illegal hunting and forest destruction in the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary.

Encroachment & Deforestation: Stop illegal shrimp enclosures in Tengragiri, prevent industrialization in Madhupur National Park, and restore the remaining mangrove land in the Chakoria Sundarbans.

Lathitila Forest: Investigate damages caused by the construction of the safari park and evict illegal settlements within the reserved forest.

Alternative Livelihoods: Provide allowances and alternative employment to forest-dependent communities during wildlife breeding seasons to reduce pressure on nature.

Modern Infrastructure: Establish divisional-level specialized medical centers and provide modern rescue equipment for wildlife treatment.

State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam expressed his agreement with the legitimacy of the demands, stating that his ministry would take "sincere initiatives" to implement the proposed measures. He highlighted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has recently issued strict instructions to prioritize the protection of life and nature as part of the government’s "New Path" policy.

The Minister further mentioned that the government aims to plant 250 million trees over the next five years and will take a hardline stance against any "anti-environmental activities," including illegal hill cutting and sand extraction.

END/SIU/RH/