Dhaka: A new initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is set to play a pivotal role in fortifying Bangladesh's climate resilience while safeguarding its biodiversity. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized the project's significance during the Grant Agreement ceremony for the initiative titled "Strengthening Capacity of MoEFCC, DoE and BFD for Natural Resource Management and Improved Climate Resilience" at the Department of Environment (DoE) in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the project will strategically enhance the institutional capacities of MoEFCC, DoE, and the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) to tackle environmental and climate issues through innovative solutions. These solutions include enhancing the monitoring of Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), undertaking large-scale ecological restoration, and establishing the country's first Wildlife Trust Fund.
The event, attended by notable figures such as Additional Secretary Md. Khayrul Hasan, Director General of DoE Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, and Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, marked the formal signing of the Grant Agreement by Dr. AKM Shahabuddin, secretary (Routine Charge) of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Maria Stridsman, charg© d'affaires and head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden. Lubna Yeasmin, joint secretary of the Ministry, and Nayoka Martinez B¤ckstr¶m, first secretary and deputy head of Cooperation, were also present.
The project, funded by a SIDA grant of SEK five million (approximately USD 0.53 million or BDT 64.4 million), aims to deliver comprehensive support across three interconnected components. The first component focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, aligning biodiversity conservation with national and global frameworks, including the National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will involve developing robust monitoring plans, offering specialized training on environmental impact assessments, and equipping the DoE with advanced tools to monitor pollution in critical rivers such as the Buriganga and Turag.
The second major focus will be on enhancing ECA monitoring and restoration, particularly on Sonadia Island. Planned interventions include conducting baseline environmental assessments, restoring vital mangrove ecosystems, stabilizing sand dunes, and establishing a turtle hatchery. Local communities will be integral to these efforts through the formation of Village Conservation Groups (VCGs), promoting sustainable livelihoods while reinforcing biodiversity protection.
The third component of the project is the establishment of a Wildlife Trust Fund, to be developed through a detailed scoping study and extensive stakeholder consultations. This fund aims to provide sustainable financing for the protection of endangered species and to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, ultimately reducing dependence on government funding for critical conservation initiatives.
With its targeted interventions, ranging from mangrove reforestation to strategic policy development and grassroots conservation, the project represents a significant step forward in Bangladesh's journey toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience.