UNB, Dhaka :
Experts at a discussion here on Monday stressed the need for protecting the country’s wildlife from extinction with a view to averting environmental havoc.
They said, the forest area is shrinking rapidly in the country due to growing population, unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation and if the trend continues, many of the wildlife species will go extinct in near future.
The Forest Department under the Environment and Forests Ministry organised the discussion at Jatiya Press Club in the city marking the World Wildlife Day 2014.
Chaired by chief conservator of forests M Yunus Ali, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, country representative of IUCN Bangladesh Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, chairman of Prokreti o Jiban Foundation Mukit Majumder Babu, Environment and Forests Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Patwari and Wildteam chief executive Prof Anwarul Islam.
Speaking as the chief guest, Anwar Hossain Manju said the protection of wildlife is very necessary for the protection of human beings. “Many species of wildlife are going to be disappear for people’s ignorance.”
He stressed creating awareness among people about the importance of wildlife to protect the environment and ecosystem in the country. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad said wildlife is going to disappear in the country due to two reasons – loss of their habitats and illegal trafficking and poaching.
Mukit Majumder Babu said about $ 20 billion illegal trade of wildlife occurrs each year globally. “We can resist illegal wildlife trafficking through enactment of tougher laws,” he added.
Shafiqur Rahman Patwari said, the Environment and Forests Ministry has been working sincerely to protect forests and wildlife in the country. “The government amended the Wildlife Act 1973 to increase penalty to violators of the law.” Later, Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju inaugurated a Wildlife fair at the premises of Jatiya Press Club.
Earlier in the morning, Environment and Forests Ministry brought out a procession from Doyel Chattar and concluded at Press Club aiming to create awareness among people about wildlife, biodiversity and nature.
