Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th election, environmental leaders demand firm, measurable manifesto commitments to protect nature, forests and biodiversity, warning that neglect threatens public health, climate resilience and national security, as well as nationwide stability.
As Bangladesh gears up for the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, environmental experts are calling for the country’s political manifestos to give serious priority to environmental protection, forests, climate resilience, nature and biodiversity. Speakers warned that development agendas and power politics have repeatedly sidelined the environment, affecting public health, climate adaptation and national security. They stressed that election pledges should include actionable and measurable commitments rather than mere promises.
The call came during a national manifesto dialogue titled “Environment, Forests and Biodiversity: Tackling Wildlife Crime in the 13th National Parliament Elections”, held on Friday, February 6, at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation (BBCF).
Dr. Nasir Uddin, president of BBCF, said, “Protecting our environment, forests and biodiversity is not a luxury. It is directly linked to Bangladesh’s development, public health, climate resilience and national security. Election manifestos must include clear, measurable and implementable commitments to prevent wildlife crime.”
Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jobayer, assistant secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, added, “Political will and national unity are essential to solving environmental problems. Laws alone are not enough to safeguard our environment.”
Sohanur Rahman, executive director of YouthNet Global, emphasized, “Environment, forests and biodiversity must be central to election politics. Political parties need to make actionable pledges in the public interest. Active participation of youth and citizens can strengthen accountability and transparency in conservation efforts.”
Dr. Manjurul Hannan Khan, executive director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), remarked, “The environment is not the issue of a single political party. It affects everyone. Establishing an independent commission for policy implementation and monitoring is crucial to addressing this crisis.”
Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar, dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University, noted, “Some candidates’ environmental commitments are encouraging. But these pledges should not remain personal initiatives; they must be prioritized in party manifestos.”
Mostak Ahmed Forayez, president of NAP (Vashani), warned, “Environmental destruction and wildlife crime cannot be treated as isolated issues. They are structural challenges intertwined with governance, the economy and national security.”
Other speakers included Kabir Ahmed, vice president of the Workers’ Welfare Federation; Rezaul Karim Rony, editor of Jaban; Mir Mohammad Ali, assistant professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; Dr. Abdul Wahab, executive director of the Center for Global Environment and Development; and Habibur Rahman, executive director of One One Foundation.
BBCF Secretary General Md. Arafat Rahman said, “Preventing pollution, forest encroachment, biodiversity loss and wildlife crime requires strong political commitment, institutional accountability and impartial enforcement of the law. Prioritizing the environment in election manifestos can lay the foundation for a sustainable, safe and future-ready Bangladesh.”
Partner organizations of the dialogue included the Center for Governance and Development (CGD), Startup Association of Bangladesh (SAB), Mukti Bondhon Foundation, Protyashī, SBSS, WHR0 and the Academy of Analytics and Research (AAR).
