Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today emphasized that forests and natural resources are foundational not only for the environment but also for the economy, biodiversity, and the security of future generations. She highlighted this point during a workshop held at the Forest Department headquarters in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the "Workshop for the Second Cycle of the National Forest Inventory of Bangladesh and National Validation Workshop on the Generation of the Land Cover and Natural Capital Map and Developing Integrated Collaborative Forest Management Plans" was an important event where Rizwana joined virtually from her residence. She stressed the importance of viewing forests beyond the narrow focus of carbon trading, acknowledging their role in providing oxygen and serving as habitats for biodiversity.
Rizwana warned that if developed countries continue to purchase carbon credits instead of reducing emissions, the global climate crisis will persist. She urged for the restoration of degraded forests, implementation of community-based management, and formulation of realistic forest management plans. She also stressed the importance of learning from past projects, such as SUFAL (Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods), to ensure successful outcomes.
The data collected from the second cycle of the National Forest Inventory is expected to build a comprehensive database on forest resources. This will aid in forest-related policymaking, sustainable use, conservation of natural resources, and support climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, maps on topography, land use, and natural capital, along with integrated forest management plans, are seen as guiding tools for sustainable development.
Rizwana described the initiative as timely and called for support through third-party analysis, digital and technology-based monitoring, and regular data updates every five years. She emphasized the need for domestic resources to undertake such forest inventory efforts rather than relying on foreign assistance.
The workshop was chaired by Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, and attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Xiaokun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment; and Malik Fida A Khan, Executive Director of CEGIS. Gobinda Roy, DCCF and Project Director of the SUFAL Project, delivered the welcome address.
Keynote presentations were made by various experts, including Md. Abdullah Abraham Hossain, DCF and Deputy Project Director, SUFAL; Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Director, Remote Sensing Division, CEGIS; Dr. Nikhil Chakma, Associate Professor, RUST and National Socioeconomic Consultant, FAO Bangladesh; Rajib Mahmud, Forest Inventory and Carbon Assessment Specialist, FAO-BD; and Zaheer Iqbal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, RIMS Unit, Forest Department. The meeting brought together representatives from the Forest Department, development partners, academia, and research institutions.