Forests are foundational to economy, biodiversity: Rizwana
Virtually joining the meeting from her residence, Rizwana emphasised that forests should not merely be viewed through the lens of carbon trading, rather as vital providers of oxygen and as habitats for biodiversity
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today (28 June) said forests and natural resources are not only crucial for the environment but also foundational to the economy, biodiversity, and the security of future generations.
"So, ensuring the inclusive participation of all stakeholders is essential for effective management of these resources," she told a workshop here.
The "Workshop for the Second Cycle of the National Forest Inventory of Bangladesh and National Validation Workshop on the Generation of the Land Cover and Natural Capital Map and Developing Integrated Collaborative Forest Management Plans" was held at the Forest Department headquarters in Dhaka.
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Virtually joining the meeting from her residence, Rizwana emphasised that forests should not merely be viewed through the lens of carbon trading, rather as vital providers of oxygen and as habitats for biodiversity.
She warned that if developed countries continue to only purchase carbon credits instead of reducing actual emissions, the global climate crisis will persist.
The environment adviser stressed restoring degraded forests, implementing community-based management, and formulating realistic forest management plans.
Learning from past experiences and verifying the outcomes of projects such as SUFAL (Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods) is also crucial, he said.
Rizwana highlighted that the data collected from the second cycle of the National Forest Inventory would play an important role in building a comprehensive database on forest resources, informing forest-related policymaking, promoting the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, and supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
She also noted that maps on topography, land use, and natural capital, along with integrated forest management plans, would help guide the country toward sustainable development.
The adviser described the initiative as timely and well-intentioned, adding that it must now be supported by third-party analysis, digital and technology-based monitoring, and regular data updates every five years.
She said such forest inventory efforts should be undertaken using domestic resources rather than waiting for foreign assistance.
The workshop was chaired by Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, chief conservator of Forests.
Special guests included Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Xiaokun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh; Md Kamruzzaman, director general of the Department of Environment; and Malik Fida A Khan, executive director of CEGIS.
Gobinda Roy, DCCF and project director of the SUFAL Project, delivered the welcome address.
Keynote presentations were made by Md Abdullah Abraham Hossain, DCF and deputy project director, SUFAL; Mohammad Shahidul Islam, director, Remote Sensing Division, CEGIS; Nikhil Chakma, associate professor, RUST and national socioeconomic consultant, FAO Bangladesh; Rajib Mahmud, forest inventory and carbon assessment specialist, FAO-BD; and Zaheer Iqbal, deputy conservator of forests, RIMS Unit, Forest Department.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Forest Department, development partners, academia, and research institutions.
