Dhaka: The next meeting of the Joint Working Group of Bangladesh and India on the conservation of biodiversity of the Sundarbans will be held in Bangladesh. The decision was taken during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, and Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister, Abdul Awal Mintoo, at the Secretariat. State Minister for Environment Shaikh Faridul Islam was also present.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the two sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and India. They also planned to conduct the next bilateral meeting in Bangladesh, following the protocol signed for the conservation of the Bengal Tiger. However, the meeting on transboundary Asian elephant conservation will be held in India.
The discussions covered a range of environmental issues, including climate change, transboundary environmental problems, carbon credits, carbon emission reduction, and green economy development. Minister Mintoo emphasized that the environmental and ecological interests of Bangladesh and India are interlinked, given their geographical proximity.
He highlighted the challenges such as climate change, floods, droughts, river and water resource management, air pollution, and biodiversity degradation, which transcend national boundaries. To tackle these issues, he stressed the importance of mutual trust, information exchange, and effective regional cooperation.
Mintoo expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to foster positive relations with India, grounded in mutual respect and shared interests. He hoped for deeper cooperation in environmental and climate sectors to ensure a sustainable future for both nations. He also underscored the need for balancing environmental protection with economic development through technology and knowledge exchange.
Faridul Islam pointed out the significance of joint efforts to conserve the Sundarbans, a shared natural resource between the two countries. He noted the mangrove forest’s role as a buffer against climate change and natural disasters and advocated for enhanced exchange of research, technology, and management experience.
The meeting also addressed transboundary air and river pollution, with both sides stressing the need for scientific information exchange, regular communication, and coordination between relevant agencies. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi acknowledged the potential for expanded cooperation between the two nations, emphasizing mutual interests and people’s welfare.
Trivedi expressed his commitment to strengthening the friendly relations between Bangladesh and India and advancing cooperation in various mutual interest areas. Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Acting Secretary of the ministry, was also present at the meeting.