Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated that restoring lost forests is crucial for protecting nature. She announced that the government will begin efforts to recover the sal forest in Tangail from March. She emphasized that everyone must come forward to protect the country’s forests and ensure the participation of local communities in the restoration process.
Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on “Restoration of Madhupur Sal Forest through Co-management” held today at the Forest Department headquarters in Dhaka, the Environment Advisor said that a plan of action will be developed considering the needs of forest-dependent communities. The plan will be updated as necessary, and a gazette-notified committee will be formed by March. A Village Forest Rule will be introduced to define the rights of forest-dependent communities and the responsibilities of the Forest Department.
She also stressed the need to resolve harassment-driven forest-related lawsuits quickly and stated that the Forest Department should collaborate with experts and forest-dependent communities.
The Advisor mentioned that the Forest Department would reforest 150 acres as part of the restoration efforts. Active participation of local communities is essential for the success of this initiative. Their knowledge, experience, and support will be invaluable.
The workshop was chaired by Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests. Keynote papers were presented by Professor AZM Manjur Rashid of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Md. Khaled Misbahuzzaman of the University of Chittagong, and Professor AK Fazlul Haque of Khulna University.
Senior officials of the Ministry, environmentalists, researchers, media representatives, and members of local forest-dependent communities participated in the workshop.
