At least 38,000 wild animals were rescued alive in the country in the last 10 years since the enactment of ‘Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012’ and the establishment of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) under Forest Department.
Forest officials believe that this is a great achievement for the WCCU as well as the forest department in the conservation of wildlife and prevention of killing and smuggling of the wild animals.
The forest officials and wildlife experts revealed the information at the inaugural ceremony of a training course, organised by the Wildlife Crime Control Unit.
The inaugural ceremony of the 10-day training titled ‘Wildlife Crime Prevention and Wildlife Handling’ began on Monday with the participation of volunteers dedicated to wildlife conservation. The inaugural ceremony was held at the National Botanical Garden in the capital.
Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury inaguarated the training programme as as the chief guest, while Director of National Botanical Garden Dr. Md. Zahidur Rahman Mia attended the event as special guest. Director of Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) ASM Jahir Uddin Akon presided over the function, while Wildlife Inspector Nargis Sultana moderated it.
Chief Conservator of Forest Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury along with officials of Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) and trainees joined a photo session following the inaugural ceremony of a 10-day training course on wildlife at Botanical Garden in the capital.
Speaking as the chief guest, Amir Hossain Chowdhury said that wildlife must be saved in order to save the environment and the world.
He also said that many people are killing wild animals due to lack of awareness and some other reasons, while international criminal gangs are also involved in killing and smuggling of wild animals. However, the killing and hunting of wildlife are declining day by day in the country due to increasing aware
ness among the common people and taking various preventive and legal measures. Smuggling of the wildlife to other countries from Bangladesh is also declining. However, the killing of wildlife must be completely controlled, he added,
Dr. Md. Zahidur Rahman Mia said that killing and smuggling of wild animals is a punishable crime. Those who kill wildlife they are involved in many other crimes against animals and destruction of the environment.
He also said that wildlife smuggling is going on globally and it is a heinous business. Such crime is also happening in Bangladesh. But as a result of the activities of the Forest Department and other departments of the government and law enforcement agencies, the smuggling of wildlife is decreasing; while killing and hunting of wild animals is also decreasing. As a result, at least 38,000 wild animals have been rescued alive in the country in the last 10 years. It is a great achievement for the forest department, he said.
ASM Jahir Uddin Akon called upon all to continue working sincerely for the conservation and prevention of wildlife. He said the WCCU is working seriously to protect the wildlife.
He also said that in the last 10 years since the establishment of the WCCU and enactment of the wildlife conservation law, more than three hundred and fifty cases have been registered under this law. Many people have been arrested in these cases. However, many are facing trial. These are the aspects of hope, he added.
Nargis Sultana said, “We are trying hard with our limited capacity to prevent wildlife killings and smuggling.”
She drew attention of the authorities concerned in this regard so that the capacity of the WCCU is strengthened through increasing manpower.
