Dhaka: Environment, Forest, and Climate Change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged the forest department to cease the plantation of eucalyptus and acacia trees. She emphasized the conservation of all other tree species under the social forestry programme, specifically those planted along roadsides.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana issued these directives during a special meeting at the Forest Department office in Agargaon, Dhaka. She highlighted the importance of formulating biodiversity rules and guidelines to protect biodiversity and stressed involving students in wildlife and forest-related activities at the range office level.
Rizwana also stressed the necessity of establishing management committees for protected forests like Lathitila, Chunati, Satchari, and Lawachara. She called for a halt to ecotourism and picnics in these forests and emphasized the importance of minimizing music and noise disturbances to preserve the natural environment.
The adviser further stated that illegal
encroachments on forest land must be removed and that no lobbying would be tolerated. She called for addressing conflicts with forest dwellers and withdrawing harassment cases against the Garo community. Additionally, she directed officials to implement a strategic plan, a gender policy, a grievance redress system, and ensure transparency in project information.
The meeting was attended by additional secretaries of the ministry, ASM Humayun Kabir and Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Joint Secretary Shamima Begum, Chief Conservator of forests Amir Hosain Chowdhury, and senior officials of the forest department.