Photo: Collected
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said the government will take long-term measures alongside short-term programme to protect elephants.
Under the short-term programme, initiatives will be taken to improve the natural habitat of elephants, ensure safe breeding and food security, assess the number of the elephants, and use modern technology to resolve human-elephant conflicts, she said.
Besides, public awareness programme will be strengthened to conserve elephants.
This programme will be implemented in some districts of Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rangpur divisions, she added.
The environment adviser was addressing a meeting over elephant conservation project at his her ministry at the Secretariat.
Under a special programme to be implemented by the Forest Department, several activities will be undertaken, including the creation of tree garden to ensure food for elephants, excavation of reservoirs, and construction of solar-powered fences in vulnerable areas, said the adviser.
Besides, the government has plans to build bio-fencing to address elephant-human conflicts, form elephant response teams, and construct towers for elephant monitoring, she said adding that conservation of elephants is important to protect biodiversity of the country.
Environment secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed presided over the meeting participated by the chief conservator of forests, representatives of different government and non-government organizations.
Messenger/Fameema
