DHAKA, Oct 24, 2021 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said those who will provide information about dolphin killers will be rewarded as the present government is sincerely working to conserve dolphins.

  "Many people deliberately kill dolphins to get dolphin oil. Those who will provide information to the forest department about these dolphin killers will be rewarded," he said.

  The minister announced the award while addressing a discussion organized by the Forest Department as the chief guest marking the International Freshwater Dolphin Day-2021, said a press release.

  Highlighting different initiatives undertaken by the government for the conservation of dolphins, Shahab Uddin said seven dolphin conservation teams have been formed for protecting the dolphins in the Sundarbans and similar teams will be formed for other areas. 

  Noting that training is being imparted to the people concerned, including fishermen, he said the government has so far declared nine dolphin sanctuaries in the country for the purpose of conserving dolphins. 

  The Dolphin Action Plan and the Dolphin Atlas have been prepared, the minister said, adding the number of dolphins in the Halda River has been determined and a management plan has been formulated. 

  He said the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act includes a provision of imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Taka 5 lakh or both for recurrence offenses of killing dolphins.

  Urging the people concerned for taking necessary steps from their respective places to conserve dolphins, Shahab Uddin said, "We will succeed in dolphin conservation program through the concerted efforts of all". 

  Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal and Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chairman of Nature and Life Foundation Mukit Majumdar Babu and Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh Rakibul Amin spoke as special guests at the discussion. 

  Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury presided over the discussion while deputy project director of the Sufol Project Madinul Ahsan and Professor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Zoology Department Dr M Monirul H Khan presented keynote papers in the function. 

  Forest Conservator of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Area Mollah Rezaul Karim delivered welcome address at the discussion.