The 24th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Bangladesh Zoological Society took place on Friday, at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building through a joint initiative of Dhaka University's Department of Zoology and the Bangladesh Zoological Society.
Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, pro-vice chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University, presided over the opening ceremony.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources, attended as the chief guest.
This year's conference theme was "Protecting biodiversity from pollution: Bridging solutions for a healthier planet."
Professor Dr Md Enamul Haque, dean (Acting) of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Professor Dr Hamida Khanam, president of the Bangladesh Zoological Society, delivered comments as special guests during the opening session.
Professor Dr Abdus Salam, dean of the Faculty of Science at Dhaka University, presented the keynote paper.
Md Zahidul Kabir, deputy chief conservator of Forests from the Bangladesh Forest Department, participated in the paper discussion.
Professor Dr Shefali Begum, chairperson of Dhaka University's Department of Zoology, delivered the welcome address.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said that biodiversity and natural balance are being destroyed daily due to pollution, putting humanity at risk and increasing our health complications.
"To overcome this situation, teachers, students, researchers, policymakers and all concerned parties must work together in coordination."
He emphasized the importance of conducting such conferences, discussions and collaborative research programs to raise social awareness on this issue.
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted various government initiatives for environmental conservation, noting that several programs have already been implemented including raising awareness for environmental protection and pollution prevention, removing harmful trees, planting environment-friendly trees and recovering encroached forests and rivers.
Rizwana said: "Special projects have been undertaken to clean Dhaka's four rivers of pollution. Special plans are being developed to recover many lost rivers in different regions of the country."
She mentioned that young people represent our greatest hope.
She called upon the youth to come forward and organize society for environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.
During the conference, awards were presented to winners of the 11th Zoology Olympiad.
At the undergraduate level, Dhaka University student Humaira Habiba became champion, while Chittagong University student Angel Saha Chowa was runner-up.
At the college level, Notre Dame College student Sadniman Ahmed Ifaz became champion and MC College Sylhet student Halima Akter Diba was runner-up.
Notably, this conference featured four scientific sessions along with one plenary session.
Academics, researchers, students and professionals from home and abroad participated in the conference.
