Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting peaceful human-elephant coexistence, saying that streamlining and revising current regulations is underway to ensure prompt and accessible compensation for individuals impacted by the attacks of elephants. She emphasized the importance of taking immediate measures to support the affected farmers, said a ministry press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana, who is also the adviser of the Ministry of Water Resources, participated virtually in a review meeting organized to determine actions for resolving human-elephant conflict. She delivered her remarks as chair of the session, stressing the need for timely measures to ensure the survival of elephants. To that end, she also put forth the importance of activating Elephant Response Teams with skilled individuals from local communities and equipping them with walkie-talkies and other necessary tools.
Rizwana highlighted the urgency of planting elephant-friendly trees. During the meeting, she further stated that additional manpower must be deployed under special arrangements during the Boro season. She also called for increased participation from local residents and the launch of training programs to raise awareness among school and college students.
To enhance public awareness about elephants, she instructed the production of videos and their dissemination through social media platforms. Issuing a warning, she firmly stated that filming any kind of video, including TikTok, near elephants must be strictly prohibited.
The meeting was attended by Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Rokibul Hasan Mukul, Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur Torafdar Mahmudur Rahman, eminent wildlife expert Professor Dr. Ali Reza Khan, Conservator of Forests of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle Md. Sanaullah Patowary, Project Director of the Elephant Conservation Project ASM Zahir Uddin Akon, along with local leaders.