Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has urged for a collaborative approach involving government bodies, local communities, forest workers, NGOs, students, researchers, and media professionals to secure a safe future for elephants. He emphasized the importance of this collective effort while speaking at a discussion held to commemorate World Elephant Day 2026, at the Forest Department headquarters in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Minister Mintoo highlighted that safeguarding elephant habitats is crucial for preserving forests, biodiversity, the environment, and ultimately, the future of humans. He expressed concern over the declining number of elephants in Bangladesh, attributing this trend to habitat destruction, deforestation, poaching, and wildlife crimes. A survey conducted in 2015 recorded 268 resident wild elephants, 93 migratory elephants, and 96 captive elephants in the country. The government has announced plans to conduct another elephant census by 2027.
Mintoo revealed that the Bangladesh Elephant Conservation Action Plan (2018-2027) had been developed, identifying 40 priority activities for elephant conservation. He also noted that the government is compensating individuals affected by human-elephant conflicts. From 2012 to June 2026, families of 322 deceased individuals, 169 injured persons, and 3,215 families affected by property damage received approximately Tk 13.77 crore in compensation. Under the 2021 compensation rules, families of deceased victims receive Tk 3 lakh, injured individuals up to Tk 1 lakh, and up to Tk 50,000 is allocated for property damage.
The minister directed the Forest Department to expedite the compensation process for affected people. He mentioned that 159 Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) have been established in elephant-prone areas to monitor elephant movements, issue early warnings, and help manage human-elephant conflicts safely. "Local people's participation is our greatest strength in elephant conservation. Elephant conservation can never be sustainable without involving local communities," he stated.
The international theme of this year's World Elephant Day is 'Bringing the world together to help elephants,' with its Bangla counterpart being 'Bisw jure Oikya Gori, Hatir Jibon Roksha Kori.' The event also featured Sherpur-3 MP Mahmudul Haque Rubel and the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Md Saimum Parvez, as special guests. Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury chaired the programme.