Dhaka: The conservation of the Sundarbans and its rich natural heritage took centre stage at the soft launch of the second edition of Enayetullah Khan’s ‘The Bangladesh Sundarban’ at the Cosmos Centre Auditorium in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event brought together conservationists, wildlife experts, and photographers, with Dr Yanan Wu, Chairman and CEO of Surfin Meta Digital Technology Pte. Ltd, attending as the chief guest. Published by WildTeam and supported by Surfin, the second edition of the book includes two new chapters, enhancing its documentation of the Sundarban’s wildlife, biodiversity, and natural history. All proceeds from its sale will be directed towards tiger conservation.
The programme commenced with a short video showcasing WildTeam’s activities. Enayetullah Khan, Founder of WildTeam, Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam, CEO and General Secretary of WildTeam, and Enam Ul Haque, Chairman of WildTeam, addressed the gathering before Dr Wu spoke as the chief guest. Dr Wu expressed his honor in being associated with the project, emphasizing the Sundarbans’ significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dr Wu shared that the Sundarbans could offer a powerful example of harmonious coexistence between humans, tigers, and nature. With over 26 years of experience in quantitative finance, Dr Wu highlighted Surfin Meta’s operations across emerging markets, reaching around 100 million young customers in 12 countries through various financial inclusion services. He also discussed his commitment to education and financial inclusion, citing a foundation he established in China to support education for children in remote areas.
During his speech, Dr Wu recalled his visit to Dhaka in 2019, emphasizing the resilience and warmth of its people. He stressed the potential of using technology to foster unity and expressed hope for collaborative initiatives between Surfin Meta and Cosmos Group in Bangladesh.
Enayetullah Khan highlighted WildTeam’s journey in Sundarbans conservation, describing the forest as one of Bangladesh’s richest conservation resources. He expressed happiness over the publication of the second edition, which includes new chapters on ‘Doors of the Forest’ and conservation activities. Khan also invited visitors to experience the Conservation Biology Centre and the first forest museum in the area.
Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam emphasized the urgency of protecting Bangladesh’s tiger population, noting that only 125 tigers remain. He described WildTeam’s efforts to involve local communities in conservation activities, with over 650 volunteers engaged in preserving the forest and its wildlife.
Enam Ul Haque congratulated the organizers on the publication of the new edition, while Khan concluded by emphasizing the potential partnership between Cosmos and Surfin Meta to extend beyond financial technology to education and social development, highlighting their shared philosophy of creating a positive social impact.