UNDP marks Earth Day with sea turtle release in Cox’s Bazar
To mark Earth Day 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Bangladesh Forest Department and the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), released 116 sea turtle hatchlings into the Bay of Bengal.
Held under this year's Earth Day theme—"Our Power, Our Planet"—the symbolic release underscored the transformative potential of community-led conservation to protect biodiversity, bolster livelihoods, and promote responsible tourism.
"Releasing sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean was a deeply moving experience—a reminder that when communities lead, nature heals," said Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh.
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The event was part of a broader initiative under the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), which supports grassroots solutions to environmental challenges. Dr Mariam Akhter, Assistant Chief Conservator of Forests and SGP National Steering Committee (NSC) member, highlighted the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into national development planning to mitigate threats such as unsustainable tourism.
Fellow SGP NSC member Papia Sultana, Assistant Director at the Department of Environment, called for a "whole-of-society" approach and advocated for the creation of a national biodiversity fund to preserve ecosystems for future generations.
As part of the Earth Day activities, the delegation visited two community-driven projects. In Chakmapara village of Ukhia, the "Promotion of Community-Based Ecotourism and Climate-Resilient Innovative Agriculture" initiative—implemented by Pulse Bangladesh—works with ethnic minority communities to foster sustainable tourism and reduce dependency on forest resources.
Meanwhile, at Inani Beach, the "Ecosystem Awareness and Restoration Through Harmony (EARTH)" project supports local patrol groups, youth conservation units, and elephant and turtle response teams to protect both marine and forest habitats.
The visit was joined by Md Nurul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer, Cox's Bazar; Vardon Hoca, Head of UNDP Cox's Bazar Sub-Office; Arif Faisal, Programme Specialist, UNDP; and representatives from the Tour Operators Association of Cox's Bazar, Pulse Bangladesh, and Arannayak Foundation.
Together, these initiatives shine a light on the power of grassroots action in healing ecosystems and building a sustainable, inclusive future.
