Khulna: Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju today underscored the urgent need for establishing a separate Sundarbans Board and enforcing stringent forest conservation laws to safeguard the world’s largest mangrove forest from escalating environmental threats. He articulated this during a dialogue titled “Resilient Sundarbans: Youth, Climate and Coastal Future,” held at CSS Ava Centre in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the dialogue was a collaborative effort by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research of BRAC University, Mission Green Bangladesh (MGB), and Swapnapuri Kallyan Sangstha, with backing from the UK government. Manju lamented the lack of protection for Bangladesh’s natural resources, contrasting with conservation efforts in other countries. He further stressed halting water vessel traffic through the Sundarbans, reducing forest-based commercial ventures, and creating alternative livelihood options for communities near the forest.
Speakers at the event highlighted the Sundarbans’ critical role as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acting as Bangladesh’s primary shield against sea-level rise, cyclones, tidal surges, and other climate-induced calamities. The forest is integral to biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of millions, yet it faces severe threats from rising salinity, climate change, and increasing human-wildlife conflicts.
The dialogue also revealed that insights from the “Nabapallab” and “Engage for Sundarbans” projects would feed into national policy discussions. The “Nabapallab” project aims to bolster climate resilience through adaptive livelihoods, renewable energy, and local adaptation strategies. The projects are designed to enhance the Sundarbans’ environmental and economic security at the national level, promote youth engagement in environmental governance, and develop effective recommendations for national climate and coastal policies.
Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat of BRAC University presided over the dialogue. Special guests included Khulna Deputy Commissioner Hoore Jannat, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Trust University Dr Md Monjurul Kibria, Country Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh Sharif Jamil, and Executive Director of Center for Natural Resource Studies Mokhlesur Rahman. The dialogue attracted nearly 250 participants, including youth climate leaders, community representatives, government officials, researchers, academics, NGO representatives, development partners, journalists, and professionals.