Wildlife protection is a must

World Wildlife Day was observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world yesterday amid some disturbing realities. The number of wild animals is declining in the country due to various reasons. The importance of wild animals of a country is immense for maintaining the balance of nature, environment, ecology and biodiversity.  According to global environment experts, the accepted standard is that a country must have at least 25 per cent of its total land area covered with forests to maintain the ecological balance but our country has now 13. 2 per cent forest coverage, but the environmentalists said it is an inflated figure as the real forest coverage will not be more than 7-9 per cent.

The wildlife of the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, and Lawachhara National Park, a major park in Moulvibazar district, is declining  due to acute food crisis and habitat problems. The wild animals of Lawachhara are coming out of the park and entering localities in search of food. Once out, they are either getting killed by local people or being crushed under the wheels of motorised vehicles in most cases as there are railways and roads inside the forest area. Sources said around 50 wild animals were recovered from the forest and its adjoining areas in the recent past.

Poaching of wild animals is going on unabatedly in the country. Wild animals are also endangered due to the threat to bio-diversity stemming from denudation of the forests, looting of forest resources rampantly by bandits in connivance with a section of dishonest forest department officials and members of law enforcing agencies. Killing of wild animals must be stopped at any cost. Vigilance of the members of the law enforcement agencies must be intensified to stop poaching of wild animals. Mass awareness should also be created for the protection of wild animals.  The government should take necessary measure to augment forestation in the country.

It is heartening to note that the biodiversity boundary has been extended in the Sundarbans. The birth rate of wild animals ranging from the tiger to the deer and all the birds and fish will increase in the safe sanctuary.   Since the fishermen, traders, Bawals and Mouals are dependent on the forest resources alternative employment for them can be arranged for their survival.  

 

Wildlife protection is a must

World Wildlife Day was observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world yesterday amid some disturbing realities. The number of wild animals is declining in the country due to various reasons. The importance of wild animals of a country is immense for maintaining the balance of nature, environment, ecology and biodiversity. According to global environment experts, the accepted standard is that a country must have at least 25 per cent of its total land area covered with forests to maintain the ecological balance but our country has now 13. 2 per cent forest coverage, but the environmentalists said it is an inflated figure as the real forest coverage will not be more than 7-9 per cent. The wildlife of the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, and Lawachhara National Park, a major park in Moulvibazar district, is declining due to acute food crisis and habitat problems. The wild animals of Lawachhara are coming out of the park and entering localities in search of food. Once out, they are either getting killed by local people or being crushed under the wheels of motorised vehicles in most cases as there are railways and roads inside the forest area. Sources said around 50 wild animals were recovered from the forest and its adjoining areas in the recent past. Poaching of wild animals is going on unabatedly in the country. Wild animals are also endangered due to the threat to bio-diversity stemming from denudation of the forests, looting of forest resources rampantly by bandits in connivance with a section of dishonest forest department officials and members of law enforcing agencies. Killing of wild animals must be stopped at any cost. Vigilance of the members of the law enforcement agencies must be intensified to stop poaching of wild animals. Mass awareness should also be created for the protection of wild animals. The government should take necessary measure to augment forestation in the country. It is heartening to note that the biodiversity boundary has been extended in the Sundarbans. The birth rate of wild animals ranging from the tiger to the deer and all the birds and fish will increase in the safe sanctuary. Since the fishermen, traders, Bawals and Mouals are dependent on the forest resources alternative employment for them can be arranged for their survival.