Dhaka: Bangladesh should establish 'gene pools' in its different regions to prevent biodiversity loss and protect the environment, according to experts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 'Gene pools should be protected in different regions of the country as biodiversity is at risk here due to various reasons,' said Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, former Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) of Bangladesh Forest Department. In a recent interview ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Ishtiaq explained that a gene pool is the total sum of all genetic material- all genes and their different forms (alleles)-within a specific, interbreeding population. He emphasized that a gene pool represents the total genetic diversity available to a species, serving as the foundation for natural selection and evolution.
ABM Sarowar Alam, Programme Manager (Species and Habitats) at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of gene pools for wildlife, plants, and insects. He noted that the country's biodiversity faces various threats, including species hybridization. He cited the example of the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a fish-eating crocodile found in Bangladesh's rivers, which India claims as its own species. 'If we had a gene pool, we could tell whether this species is ours,' Alam stated.
Biodiversity loss in Bangladesh is attributed to rapid habitat destruction, industrial pollution, and climate change, posing threats to numerous species. According to IUCN Bangladesh, around 156 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are at risk, with about 10 percent of plant species potentially extinct. Deforestation, wetland degradation, and overexploitation are key threats, leading to significant declines in fish and wildlife across regions like the Sundarbans and Chittagong hills.
Ishtiaq Uddin, also a former Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, remarked that species are disappearing due to human actions and the overexploitation of natural resources. He pointed out ongoing forest degradation and deforestation, exacerbated by insufficient manpower, lack of law enforcement, and ineffective conservation measures. He expressed skepticism about social and political commitment to forest and biodiversity conservation and noted the immaturity of community engagement in these efforts.
To foster community involvement, Ishtiaq suggested creating a 'win-win situation' to encourage locals to protect forests. He also emphasized the need for motivational programs to inspire community-led conservation and empower local communities. He advised against monoculture to preserve biological diversity, acknowledging its complete elimination as challenging but advocating for its limitation according to demand.
The International Day for Biological Diversity will be celebrated in Bangladesh, as elsewhere globally, tomorrow (May 22), with a call to protect biodiversity and nature. The theme for 2026, "Acting locally for global impact," underscores the importance of community-led actions and partnerships, linking local initiatives to the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).