Biodiversity conservation requires joint efforts
Md Mashiur Rahman, Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet, has said that the Department of Environment or the Ministry of Environment alone cannot ensure biodiversity conservation; instead, all relevant sectors including agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, industry, urbanisation and tourism must work in a coordinated manner.
He said, “Let us formulate a coordinated plan. Biodiversity conservation is not the sole responsibility of the Department of Environment; everyone must work together to implement it.”
He made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a workshop in Sylhet as the chief guest. The workshop aimed to inform local stakeholders about the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026-2030, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
The event was organised by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The initiative to update the NBSAP in line with the KMGBF has also been reflected in official government documents.
The Divisional Commissioner noted that Sylhet is a region of immense biodiversity, featuring haors (wetlands), hills, hillocks, tea gardens, rivers and various natural resources. Consequently, it is crucial to consider the environment and biodiversity when formulating development plans for the region.
He said, “We often assume that environmental issues are the sole concern of the Ministry or Department of Environment. In reality, that is not the case. The environment is interconnected with everything agriculture, fisheries, roads, infrastructure, industry, urbanisation, tourism and disaster management.”
Highlighting the need to strike a balance between tourism and environmental protection, he said tourism development in Sylhet must proceed while preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Tourism cannot be halted, but the natural environment must not be harmed in its name.
