Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today highlighted the critical need for protecting the natural habitats of elephants as a key strategy for their conservation. As the chief guest at a discussion held on World Elephant Day 2025 at the Forest Department headquarters, she emphasized the importance of planting elephant-friendly trees, preserving elephant corridors, conducting surveys to ascertain the exact elephant population, and implementing measures to reduce human-elephant conflict.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana announced a special project aimed at elephant conservation. This initiative includes the establishment of 350 hectares of elephant food plantations and 50 hectares of bamboo groves, with measures in place to ensure the protection of these vegetations. Additionally, to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, plans for ecological boundary bio-fencing feature 10 kilometers of live fencing using thorny plants like cane, lemon, and jujube.
Rizwana also shared that “Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS), Elephant Response Teams (ERT), and Elephant Rescue Teams (ERT)” will be positioned near Elephant Reserves to bolster conservation efforts. Sixteen tree towers will be constructed to monitor elephant movements, and two elephant rescue centers will be established at Gazipur Safari Park and Dulahazara Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar.
Temporary shelters for treating injured elephants are also planned for Sylhet, Chattogram, Rangamati, and Sherpur regions. Additionally, the project will explore the impacts of anthropogenic activities and climate change on human-elephant conflicts through ethnographic surveys. A ten-acre elephant sanctuary is proposed for establishment at Chunati in Chattogram to facilitate the rehabilitation of domesticated elephants.
The event was presided over by Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, and attended by notable figures including Md. Khayrul Hasan, Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, Professor Dr. Md. Monirul H. Khan, A.S.M. Zahir Uddin Akon, and Dr. Mohammad Abdul Motaleb. Md. Shanaullah Patwary delivered a thematic presentation during the discussion.