Dhaka Bureau: The cutting of trees from protected and natural forest areas has been stopped until December 31, 2030, to protect the country’s biodiversity. According to the National Forest Policy of 1994, it is stated that reserved forests cannot be used for non-forestry activities without the approval of the Head of Government. The Forest Department is conducting forest management and afforestation activities through co-management involving local people in protected areas.
Sunday (June 4) m. In response to a question from Abdul Latif, Minister for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Shahab Uddin gave this information.
The minister said that according to experts, 25 percent of the country’s area needs to be forested for a healthy, beautiful, and livable environment and to deal with the adverse effects of climate change. He also said that the total forest area controlled by the forest department in the country is about 23 lakh hectares, which is 15.58 percent of the country’s area. However, the amount of land covered by trees in Bangladesh is 22.37 percent of the country’s area.
The minister said that the government and the forest department have taken several steps in the last 14 years to expand the forest area. Various projects were implemented from 2009–2010 to the 2021–2022 financial year, covering a total of 1 lakh, 93 thousand, 453 hectare blocks, including mangrove and 28.518 seedlings. Mr. 186 lakh saplings raised for strip plantation and sales distribution were distributed and planted.
The minister also said that the total protected area has been increased by declaring the forests as protected areas under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.
