Govt to take long-term initiative to save elephants: Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, today said that the government would also take a long-term programme for elephant conservation. Under the short-term programme, initiatives will be taken to improve the natural habitat of elephants, ensure their safe breeding and food security, assess number of elephants and using modern technology to resolve human-elephant conflicts, she said.

Rizwana said that an awareness raising campaign on elephant conservation would be further strengthened. "This programme will be implemented in some districts of Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rangpur divisions where elephants are found," she added. Rizwana made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting on elephant conservation project at Bangladesh Secretariat this evening.

In the meeting, she emphasised on various initiatives taken by the government to protect elephants and maintain balance environment. The Environment Adviser said under this special programme implemented by the Forest Department, several activities will be undertaken, including tree plantations to ensure food for elephants, excavation of reservoirs and installation of solar-powered fences in vulnerable areas.

In addition, she said, there are plans to build bio-fencing to reduce elephant-human conflict, build elephant response teams and towers for elephant monitoring. Conservation of elephants is crucial to protect biodiversity of the country, she added. "If this programme is successfully implemented, it will be possible to sustain the very existence of elephants along with the protection of human lives and properties," Rizwana said. Chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry, the meeting was attended by the Chief Conservator of Forests, representatives of various government and private organisations and media representatives.