Photo : PID

Dhaka, Aug 12, 2026, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change 
Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today said collective efforts are needed to ensure 
a safe future for elephants. 

Government initiatives alone are not enough and that is why people from all 
walks of life, including local communities, forest department field workers, 
non-governmental organisations, students, young generation, researchers, 
media workers, must be involved in this work, he said. 

The minister said protecting elephant habitats does not only mean protecting 
elephants, while through this, forests, biodiversity, environment and 
ultimately the future of people are also protected.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion 
organised, on the occasion of World Elephant Day 2026, at the conference room 
of the Forest Department in the city's Agargaon area.

The theme of this year's World Elephant Day is "Bringing the world together 
to help elephants".

The main objective of the day is to raise public awareness about the 
conservation of elephants and their habitats and to ensure a safe future for 
elephants.

The minister said although there were once many elephants in the country, the 
number of the animals is gradually decreasing. 

Habitat encroachment and destruction, deforestation, illegal hunting and 
wildlife crime have become major threats to the existence of elephants, he 
said.

According to the 2015 survey, the number of wild elephants permanently 
residing in the country is 268, the number of migratory wild elephants is 93 
and the number of captive elephants is 96, he said.

Mintoo said initiatives have been taken to conduct another elephant survey by 
2027.

Highlighting the various initiatives of the government for elephant 
conservation, the minister said the Bangladesh Elephant Conservation Action 
Plan (2018-2027) has been formulated, in which 40 priority activities have 
been identified. 

These activities are being implemented through various projects, he 
continued.

Stating that the government is providing compensation to the people affected 
by human-elephant conflict, he said, "According to the 'Compensation for Loss 
of Life and Property Regulations, 2021 ', the family of the deceased is being 
provided with Taka 3 lakh, the injured with a maximum of Taka one lakh and 
the maximum of Taka 50,000 for damage to property.

From 2012 to June 2026, a total of about Taka 13.77 crore has been provided 
as compensation to the families of 322 deceased persons, 169 injured persons 
and 3,215 families who suffered damage to their homes and crops, Mintoo said. 

The minister directed the Forest Department to provide compensation to the 
people affected by elephants as soon as possible.

He said the local people have been involved in dealing with human-elephant 
conflict.

 "So far, 159 Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) have been formed in elephant-
inhabited areas. These teams are playing an important role in providing early 
warnings about the arrival of elephants, monitoring elephant movements and 
reducing conflicts between humans and elephants in a safe manner," he said. 

Mintoo said the participation of local people in elephant conservation is 
"our biggest strength". 

Elephant conservation will never be sustainable without the local people, he 
said. 

In his speech as a special guest, Mahmudul Haque Rubel, MP from Sherpur-3 
constituency, presented various information about elephant attacks and 
compensation in his parliamentary constituency.

Another special guest at the event, Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant 
to the Prime Minister (Environment, Forest and Climate Change), said 
elephants play an important role in protecting life and nature. 

He called upon all to come forward towards protecting elephants. 

Dr. Saimum reminded that biodiversity must be protected to sustain human 
existence.

Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 
Dr. Fahmida Khanam said elephants are endangered not only in our country but 
all over the world. 

It is not generally understood how much benefit there will be if elephants 
are protected, she said. 

As a result, she said, it becomes difficult to get approval for new projects.

The secretary asked various domestic and foreign institutions to work 
together with the government in addition to government funding.

Chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, the event 
was addressed, among others, by Aranyak Foundation Acting Executive Director 
Dr. Md. Abdul Motaleb

Representatives of different organisations working on elephants, officials of 
the ministry and the Forest Department, and journalists were present at the 
event.