The inception workshop of the “Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS) Project” was held recently in Dhaka, bringing together government officials, development partners, researchers, conservation experts, and civil society representatives to strengthen collaborative efforts for the sustainable protection of the Sundarbans.
The project is being implemented jointly by the Bangladesh Forest Department, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
The initiative aims to enhance ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and community engagement in and around the Sundarbans region.
The workshop, held at InterContinental Dhaka, focused on the project’s implementation strategies, restoration priorities, coordination mechanisms, and long-term sustainability plans for the world’s largest mangrove forest ecosystem.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo attended the event as the chief guest and described the CRIS Project as a timely initiative to restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity conservation, and improve local livelihoods.
He said the project aligns with Bangladesh’s climate commitments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AFD Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Cecilia Cortese highlighted the importance of linking climate resilience and ecosystem restoration with biodiversity conservation, gender equality, and community participation.
