Participation of masses needed to save forests
Says environment minister
Participation of the masses is essential in saving forests as it is not possible for forest guards alone to carry out the duty, said Environment and Forest Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday.
Illegal loggers used to cut down some six lakh trees of Modhupur forest every year but after introducing the system of co-management of forests, the figure reached zero, he said, adding that this system is being praised around the world.
The minister was addressing as chief guest the launching of a book, “Protected Area Co-Management Where People and Poverty Intersect: Lessons from Nishorgo in Bangladesh”, at the ministry.
Speakers at the launching said co-management of forests, where local communities and the government actively participate in the sustainable management of wetlands and forests, has become the official approach for conservation efforts.
The book compiles the contributions of 28 authors.
It also identifies the implemented activities of Nishorgo Network, established by the government to benefit local communities through conservation of forest and wetland biodiversity, and USAID's Integrated Protected Area Co-Management (IPAC) Project from 2003 to 2009.
The book is part of a larger effort to ensure that current and future forest and wetland co-management efforts are informed by proper knowledge management, said the speakers.
Chief Conservator of Forests Yunus Ali, Philip DeCosse of International Resources Group (IRG), Acting Chief of Party, IPAC, IRG Ram Sharma and Country Representative of IUCN-Bangladesh Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed also spoke at the programme.
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