Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has said the present government is always trying to protect dolphins but many people deliberately kill dolphins for getting dolphin oil.
“The government will reward those who will provide information to the forest department about the dolphin killers,” he said.
The minister made the statement while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by the Forest Department on the occasion of International Freshwater Dolphin Day-2021 on Sunday.
Referring to various initiatives taken by the government for the conservation of dolphins, Md Shahab Uddin said that seven dolphin conservation teams have been formed for the conservation of dolphins in the Sundarbans, and similar teams will be formed in other areas.
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“Training is being provided to those concerned including fishermen. The government has so far declared nine dolphin sanctuaries in the country for the purpose of conserving dolphins,” he added.
The environment minister said, “Dolphin Action Plan and Dolphin Atlas have been prepared. The number of dolphins in the Halda River has been determined and a management plan has been formulated. The Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act includes a provision of imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh or both for repeated offenses of killing dolphins.”
Calling on the people dedicated to the conservation of nature and wildlife of the country to take up the task of conserving dolphins from their respective places, the minister said, “We will succeed in the dolphin conservation programme through the joint efforts of everyone.”
The meeting was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal and Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun spoke as special guests at the event.