Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo urged community-led conservation in the Sundarbans, highlighting climate threats, biodiversity loss and the need for science-based restoration through the CRIS project initiative.
Bangladesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said conservation efforts in the Sundarbans cannot succeed without the active involvement of local communities living in and around the mangrove forest.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a workshop on the “Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS) Project” in the capital.
The minister said Bangladesh continues to play an important role in advancing climate and environmental action at both national and international levels under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Emphasising the importance of nature-based solutions, he said such approaches are gaining global importance and Bangladesh must move forward with practical and inclusive initiatives.
“Conservation efforts cannot succeed without community participation,” he said.
Mintoo also said the government remains committed to biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, ecosystem protection and sustainable natural resource management.
Highlighting the ecological importance of the Sundarbans, he described it as a critical natural barrier that protects millions of coastal residents from cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion and other climate-induced risks.
The minister warned that the ecosystem is under growing pressure from climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and unsustainable resource use. He stressed the need for science-based conservation supported by reliable data and research.
He said the CRIS project would contribute to Bangladesh’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said protecting the Sundarbans would become impossible if poison fishing, wildlife poaching and criminal activities were not stopped.
He urged the Forest Department to play an uncompromising role in protecting the Sundarbans by using its full capacity.
Chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, the event was also addressed by IUCN Bangladesh Country Representative Bipasha S Hossain, AFD Deputy Country Director for Bangladesh Cécilia Cortese and Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed.
ABM Sarowar Alam of IUCN Bangladesh delivered a power-point presentation on the project.
The CRIS project is being implemented by IUCN, while the Bangladesh Forest Department is serving as the executing agency with financial support from AFD.
The workshop opened with a traditional “Poter Gaan” performance by a Sundarbans artist, followed by technical panel discussions on faunal conservation and ecosystem restoration. The sessions reflected a shift toward more data-driven and action-oriented conservation planning.
Officials said the initiative highlights growing national and international attention on the Sundarbans as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable yet ecologically significant coastal ecosystems.
