Mintoo calls for united action to save elephants
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for coordinated action by the government, local communities and other stakeholders to protect Bangladesh’s declining elephant population and secure the country’s forests and biodiversity.
Elephant conservation requires broad-based participation, with the government, local communities, forest workers, NGOs, students, researchers and media professionals all having a role to play, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said on Wednesday.
He made the call at a discussion marking World Elephant Day 2026 at the Forest Department headquarters in the capital.
Mintoo said protecting elephant habitats is inseparable from protecting forests, biodiversity and the wider environment, ultimately safeguarding the future of humans.
He said Bangladesh’s elephant population has declined because of habitat destruction, deforestation, poaching and wildlife crimes.
A 2015 survey recorded 268 resident wild elephants, 93 migratory elephants and 96 captive elephants in the country. The government has now taken an initiative to conduct another elephant census by 2027.
The minister said the government has formulated the Bangladesh Elephant Conservation Action Plan (2018-2027), which identifies 40 priority activities for elephant conservation. Alongside habitat protection, the government is also providing financial compensation to people affected by human-elephant conflicts.
From 2012 to June 2026, families of 322 people killed, 169 injured people and 3,215 families affected by damage to homes and crops received around Tk 13.77 crore in compensation.
Under the 2021 compensation rules, families of deceased victims receive Tk 3 lakh, injured people can receive up to Tk 1 lakh, while up to Tk 50,000 is provided for property damage.
Mintoo instructed the Forest Department to ensure that affected people receive compensation as quickly as possible.
The minister also highlighted measures to prevent conflicts between elephants and communities. So far, 159 Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) have been formed in elephant-prone areas to monitor elephant movements, issue early warnings and help reduce human-elephant conflicts safely.
“Local people’s participation is our greatest strength in elephant conservation. Elephant conservation can never be sustainable without involving local communities,” he said.
Mintoo said protecting elephant habitats would also contribute to safeguarding the country’s forests and biodiversity, making cooperation among different groups essential.
The international theme of World Elephant Day 2026 is “Bringing the world together to help elephants,” while its Bangla theme is “Bisw jure Oikya Gori, Hatir Jibon Roksha Kori.”
Sherpur-3 MP Mahmudul Haque Rubel and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Md Saimum Parvez addressed the event as special guests.
Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury chaired the programme.
