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Minister for expanding up forest area to 20pc by 2020

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Published: 15:32, 19 April 2018   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Minister for expanding up forest area to 20pc by 2020

Environment and Forest Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud

Staff Correspondent: Environment and Forest Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud on Thursday said the existing 12 percent forest area of the country will be expanded up to 20 percent by 2020.

“Any country should have forest covering 20 percent of its total land area. But Bangladesh has only 11 to 12 percent forest. So, we have to work together attaching importance to forestation to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said while addressing the inaugural function of a workshop at the Forest Department auditorium here.

The work of wetland protection would be increased by 15 percent, Anisul said.

Saying that Bangladesh is at higher risk than other countries due to its geographical position, the minister underpinned the need for bringing 20 percent of the country's total land area under forestation by 2020.

Addressing the programme, the minister stressed on social and family forestation programmes, saying people should be encouraged for creating forest in every open space, including roads.

An assessment of 1,600 species of wildlife has already been completed, he said, adding that more 1,000 species would come under the assessment by 2020.

Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammed Shafiul Alam Chowdhury and Director General of Department of Environment Dr Sultan Ahmed were present in the workshop, among others.

Ministry of Environment and Forest organized the workshop titled 'Sustainable Development Goal-15' with its Secretary-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury in the chair.

Deputy Minister for Environment and Forest Abdullah Al Islam Jakob addressed the workshop as special guest while Forest Department's Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Zahir Uddin Ahmed presented a keynote paper.


risingbd/Dhaka/April 19, 2018/Hasan/AI

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