Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin today said the incumbent government is committed to conserve the wetlands of the country.

“The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working with determination to protect wetlands and its biodiversity and recover encroached water bodies,” he told a function here.

The Minister said this while addressing a discussion at CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital marking the World Wetlands Day-2023.

Speaking as chief guest, Shahab Uddin said everyone should be vocal along with the government so that no wetlands are destroyed or occupied by anyone.

“We all need to work together to protect the wetlands that play an important role in the lives of the country’s people, animals and plants,” he said.

The minister said considering the importance of wetlands, the government has included the issue in the constitution and has formulated various laws, rules and policies in these regards.

On various occasions, the Prime Minister talked about zero tolerance policy on conservation of wetlands, he said, adding that a 20-year master plan has been prepared for the development of the haor region from 2012 to 2032.

“Various projects are being implemented for the development of the haors and water bodies. A total of 13 areas of the country have been declared as ecologically critical areas aiming to protect biodiversity, including wetlands.

Various areas rich in wetlands have been declared as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks,” he said.

Shahab Uddin said the Ramsar Convention has been implemented since September 21, 1992 for the conservation of internationally important wetlands in Bangladesh.

There are two Ramsar sites – The Sundarbans and Tanguar Haor – in Bangladesh, he added.

Besides, the minister said, Hakaluki Haor, a collection of biodiversity including birds, will be declared as the third Ramsar site of Bangladesh.

He said the government is careful in protecting world heritage site the Sundarbans, a collection of wetlands.

“If everyone works together, it will be possible to protect all water bodies, including canals, rivers and haor-baors.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar, Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed, Director General of Environment Department Dr Abdul Hamid, Chairman of Prakriti and Jibon Foundation Mukit Majumdar Babu and Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh Rakibul Amin also spoke at the meeting with Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hosain Chowdhury in the chair.

Center for Natural Resource Studies Executive Director Dr M Mokhlesur Rahman and Conservator of Forests (Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle) Imran Ahmed made power-point presentations on wetland conservation.