Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of wild elephants and humans.
A comprehensive plan is underway to foster this harmony in the KEPZ area of Chittagong, requiring collective efforts from all parties involved, she said at a review meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.
Rizwana emphasised the need for coordinated action in protecting elephants and mitigating human-elephant conflicts.
The meeting assessed the progress of a specialist committee formed to address elephant conservation in KEPZ and surrounding areas.
She suggested tracking elephant migration routes to designate specific zones for their movement, facilitating a harmonious relationship between local communities and wildlife.
The initiative will involve close collaboration with KEPZ authorities, the Forest Department, IUCN, local administration, and experts, the adviser said.
Additionally, five new Elephant Response Teams will be established and trained to manage potential conflicts.
