Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo. File Photo

DHAKA, May 20, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today stressed on involving local people in conservation and restoration of the Sundarbans, the world largest mangrove forest.

“Conservation efforts cannot succeed without involving local people,” he told a workshop at a city hotel.

Bangladesh Forest Department, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) jointly arranged the inception workshop on the "Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS)" project.

Speaking as the chief guest, Mintoo said the communities adjacent to the Sundarbans are important partners in protecting the mangrove forest. “Their experience, participation and responsible role are essential for long-term conservation.” 

The minister said the Sundarbands is a world heritage site, which serves as a natural buffer zone for the coastal communities of Bangladesh, protecting them from cyclones, tidal surges, salinity and other climate-related disasters. On the other hand, it is deeply connected to the biodiversity, livelihoods, tourism and cultural identity of the coastal people, he added.

He observed that the Sundarbans is facing various challenges today due to climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity degradation and pressure on natural resources.

Noting that Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries around the world, Mintoo said the mangrove ecosystems are one of our natural defenses, so  restoring damaged ecosystems is not just an environmental responsibility but a critical investment in long-term social and economic security.

Mentioning that the incumbent government of Bangladesh is committed to environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, and natural resource management, he said coordinated and long-term initiatives are needed for conservation of environment and biodiversity.

 No single entity is capable of addressing these challenges and that’s why partnerships are the key to this end, he said.

About the CRIS project, the environment minister said the biodiversity assessment and environmental research to be conducted under this project will play an important role in future conservation planning.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said if poison fishing, wildlife poaching and criminal activities could not be prevented in the Sundarbans, it will be quite impossible to protect the mangrove forest.

He asked the Forest Department to play an uncompromising role in protecting the Sundarbans by utilising its optimum capacity.  

Chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, the event was addressed, among others, by IUCB Bangladesh country representative Bipasha S Hossain, AFD Deputy Country Director for Bangladesh Cécilia Cortese and Conservator of Forest Imran Ahmed.

ABM Sarowar Alam of IUCN Bangladesh made a power-point presentation on the project.

The CRIS project is being implemented by the IUCN, while Bangladesh Forest Department serves as the executing agency of the project with financial support from AFD.