Dhaka, August 7, 2025—Over the past year, Bangladesh has made significant strides in environmental conservation. This progress is largely due to Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s leadership as the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser.
In a move to restore nature, the government has reclaimed over 700 acres in Cox’s Bazar and 9,467 acres in Sonadia, along with parts of land once allocated for the Bangladesh Football Federation. These efforts have successfully reversed previous decisions harmful to our forests.
From August 2024 to June 2025, 5,093 acres of forest land were reclaimed and replanted. The Chunati Forest Restoration Project has started, focusing on replacing invasive species like Acacia auriculiformis with local flora across 37,182 acres.
Wildlife conservation also saw notable achievements. Protected species, including native peafowl and elephants, are being reintroduced. Special Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have been created to address human-wildlife interactions. Notably, the proposed Latitila Safari Park is being rethought in favor of an elephant sanctuary.
New sanctuaries have been established for wetlands like Bil Joana and Bil Velas, and efforts to amend the Wildlife Act and form a Wildlife Trust are in motion. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit has executed 293 operations, rescuing 5,684 animals, including a stolen lemur.
For the first time, individuals can face jail time for wildlife offenses, showcasing the government’s commitment to safeguarding biodiversity. Responding to public concerns, the production of eucalyptus and acacia saplings is now banned. Additionally, a campaign is underway to raise awareness about tree preservation by removing nails from trees.
To further boost environmental consciousness, plans for the country’s first Nature Learning Centre are in development. Educational programs for youth on forest and wildlife conservation have begun, alongside efforts to minimize noise pollution.
Moreover, national parks and eco-parks have enacted a ban on plastic use and picnics. A new 144-acre Special Biodiversity Area has been designated in Purbachal to enhance local ecosystems.
On the climate front, Dhaka has banned illegal polythene usage in malls, with stricter enforcement emerging in fresh markets. A new plan to manage air quality has been rolled out, leading to the shutdown of 830 illegal brick kilns and 18 unregistered lead factories. In fact, the Savar-Ashulia region has been declared a degraded air shed, drawing much-needed attention to air pollution.
The youth are actively participating too. Campaigns to tackle noise pollution have been organized, with efforts in Gazipur to cut off polluting waste connections. As part of the BEST project, 37 new buildings for the Department of Environment are in the works, and digitization of land records from 16 districts is underway.
With funding from the Climate Change Trust Fund, 41 projects worth over Taka 351 crore have been approved. Eight laws related to environmental protection are being finalized, a vital step towards a greener future.
As Syeda Rizwana Hasan leads these initiatives, everyone’s participation is crucial in this journey towards sustainable development and environmental protection.
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