A total of 31 species of wildlife have become extinct in Bangladesh in last hundred years. Extinction and endangerment of wildlife are disrupting the natural balance of nature, which is also adversely affecting humans. Protecting wildlife and ecosystems has therefore become not only useful but imperative.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury made this remark at a press conference held at his secretariat office in the capital on Thursday.
The event was organized on the occasion of the inauguration session of the Wildlife Olympiad, organized for the first time under the slogan "Smart youth will save the forest" with secondary and higher secondary school students across the country to encourage the protection of wildlife and various ecosystems and conservation of wildlife.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, “We do not want to lose any more wildlife. Wildlife Olympiads are organized across the country to sensitize students about the need to conserve wildlife and their habitats beyond textbooks.”
“Our environment is in danger today due to various reasons. From herds of wild elephants to birds and even sea creatures, they are facing extinctions. Therefore, the wildlife olympiad will play an important role in making people of all professions to unite and also make teenagers aware,” the Minister said.
The minister inaugurated the logo, poster, booklet, and website of Wildlife Olympiad 2024.
This year, the district-level Olympiad will be held in 64 venues
with the participation of about around one of students across the country. All secondary, higher-secondary, technical, madrasah, or equivalent students from classes VIII to XII in two categories can participate in this Olympiad in the school or college category.
A national-level Olympiad will be organized in Dhaka, with district-level winners. Students can register from March 7, 2024, to May 10, 2024, at www.bfdwlo.org. The district-level Olympiad will be held from May 10 to July 10. All district-level participants will get e-certificates. District-level winners will get a t-shirt, a winner certificate, and a medal. Winners of the national phase will receive T-shirts, winners' certificates, and medals. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners of each category in the national phase will get Tk 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000, respectively.
Additional Secretary (Environment and Development) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Chief Conservator of Forests, Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, and Project Director of the Sustainable Forest and Livelihood Project, Gobinda Roy, among others, were present at the press conference.
In response to another question, the minister said that the process of breaking brick kilns around Dhaka has been started to prevent air pollution. A policy of forest expansion has been adopted along with forest conservation. We want everyone's cooperation in wildlife conservation.