Dhaka, May 20, 2026 (PR) - The inception workshop of the “Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS) Project” was held 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 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).
State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam emphasized the need for stronger governance, law enforcement, and restoration activities to protect the Sundarbans from environmental degradation, wildlife crime, and unsustainable resource use.
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.
Project Director Imran Hossain said the Sundarbans and surrounding communities are increasingly threatened by climate change, salinity intrusion, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss, requiring coordinated action among government agencies, development partners, researchers, and local communities.
Bipasha S. Hossain, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, stressed the need for science-based conservation and meaningful community engagement for the long-term sustainability of the Sundarbans.
Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury warned about emerging threats, including poison fishing in the Sundarbans impact zone, and called for stronger awareness, enforcement, and community participation.
The workshop also featured panel discussions on faunal conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and local community engagement. Participants emphasized the importance of evidence-based conservation planning, institutional coordination, and nature-based solutions to protect the Sundarbans ecosystem.
Project stakeholders said the CRIS initiative marks a major step forward in strengthening national and international cooperation on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience in Bangladesh.
