Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as the Ministry of Water Resources, stated that botanical gardens are not just places for recreation but also vital centers for nature conservation. The government is working earnestly to establish these gardens as conservation sites for nature. Any effective proposals in this regard will be seriously considered.

She made these remarks while delivering the inaugural speech online from her residence in Dhaka during the opening session of the Annual Botanical Conference 2024, held at Jahangirnagar University this Friday (February 7).

The Environment Adviser emphasized, “The government is actively working to protect the country’s mountainous, coastal, and endangered forests. Efforts to regulate tourism for forest conservation are facing various obstacles.”

She added that illegal encroachment must be removed, and reforestation should be ensured. “If any development project causes deforestation, immediate replanting must be carried out as an alternative measure.”

Adviser Rizwana Hasan announced that an extensive plan has been initiated to restore the Sal forests. She stressed, “It is not enough to plant native trees; it is equally important to ensure their long-term survival. Natural forests cannot be fully restored through social forestry, and thus, no deforestation should occur due to any afforestation projects.”

On the topic of urbanization, she highlighted, “Planned initiatives are needed to promote greenery and urban forestry in cities like Dhaka. The constitution commits to biodiversity conservation, and effective measures must be taken to implement this commitment.”

Praising the environment of Jahangirnagar University, she noted that one of the key reasons for the rise of environmental activists from the university is its nature-friendly environment. She added that similar natural environments should be created in other universities as well.

The conference, chaired by Professor Dr. Md Azizur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Botanical Society, was attended by special guests including Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University; Professor Dr. M Mahfuzur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic); Professor Dr. Sohel Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration); Professor Dr. M Abdur Rab, Treasurer; and several distinguished professors from the Faculty of Science.