Speakers at an international conference on Saturday called upon the civil society and the government to work in harmony to outline a comprehensive strategic plan to reserve the ecological biodiversity of the country.
They stressed that the government and other agencies should emphasize on using renewable resource, improvement in energy efficiency, increased use of less or nonpolluting resource to save the biodiversity.
They came up with the demand at the 21st International Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting 2019 of the Zoological Society of Bangladesh at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban auditorium on Dhaka University campus.
Expressing grave concern, the speakers said, Bangladesh is facing worst challenge of global climate change, air pollution, and environmental challenge, posing greater threat to our people, we need comprehensive strategy to confront it.”
They stressed that all stakeholders should be involved in the plan to reserve ecological biodiversity.
“Apart from the government and other agencies, people from all walks of life will have to come forward in order to create awareness to conserve the environment.” they said.
Addressing as the chief guest, Minister of Railways Md. Nurul Islam Sujon said, “Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries due to climate change, and the awful consequence of the climate change is already posing greater risk to us, but thankfully, we are equipped with the most effective tool to migrate and adapt to it.”
“We are blessed with natural biodiversity, water, fertile soil, forest and blessed environment but we need to preserve it properly for sustainable development. Government and other agencies should emphasize on using renewable resources to reduce environmental pollution,” the minister said.
He said, “As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resolves to save national biodiversity, Bangladesh has raised its voice on the world stage to create awareness to cope up with the climate change. The government has taken various steps to reserve the environmental resources and to increase use of renewal resources,”
The minister also called upon everyone to work in harmony to face climate change challenges.
Chief Conservator of Forests Bangladesh Forests Department, Mr. Mohammed Shafiul Alam Chowdhury said, “We are graced with rich biodiversity and environment but for sustainable and healthy development we should utilize and reserve it properly,”
Prof Humayun Reza Khan, Chairman of Department of Zoology, Dhaka University made welcome speech while Prof Dr. Abdur Rob Molla of Department of Zoology, DU delivered keynote presentation.
Dr. Abijhit Mitra,, former head, dept of Marine Science, University of Calcutta and Director (research) Techno India University, Kolkata, WB, India, Prof Dr Ananada Kumar Saha, Pro Vice chancellor, University of Rajshahi, Prof Selima Khatun, President of Dhaka University Zoology Alumni Association, Mr. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Secretary of Bridge Division, Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges, spoke at the conference.
About one hundred academician, scientists and students from home and abroad participated in the conference.