Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that the government will launch a restoration drive for Tangail’s Sal forest in March 2025, emphasising the critical importance of restoring lost forests to protect nature.
She made this statement while underscoring the need for collective efforts to safeguard the country’s forests and ensure the active participation of local communities in the restoration process.
Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on “Restoration of Madhupur Sal Forest through Co-management” held today at the Forest Department headquarters in Dhaka, the Environment Adviser stated that an action plan will be developed, taking into account the needs of forest-dependent communities.
This plan will be regularly updated, and a gazette-notified committee will be formed by March, she said, adding, A Village Forest Rule will also be introduced to define the rights of forest-dependent communities and the responsibilities of the Forest Department.
She further stressed the importance of quickly resolving forest-related lawsuits driven by harassment and called for stronger collaboration between the Forest Department, experts, and forest-dependent communities.
The Adviser revealed that the Forest Department plans to reforest 150 acres as part of the restoration efforts. She emphasized that the active participation of local communities will be essential for the success of this initiative, noting that their knowledge and support will be invaluable.
The workshop was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury. Keynote papers were presented by Professor AZM Manjur Rashid of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Md. Khaled Misbahuzzaman of the University of Chittagong, and Professor AK Fazlul Haque of Khulna University.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, environmentalists, researchers, media representatives, and members of local forest-dependent communities.
