'Political commitment a must to conserve Sundarbans'

They observed that except its tigers, crocodiles and deer the real beauty of the Sundarbans has not been presented to people properly resulting lack of public awareness to protect its diverse eco-system.

The discussion titled 'I will visit Sundarbans and let my children also to visit' was organised by Prokirti Foundation, a forum of mass media workers, at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium.

Iftekharul Arefin, director of Prokirti Foundation, delivered the welcome speech while Rahul Raha, presented the keynote paper at the discussion.

ATM Anwarul Quadir, general secretary of Philately Association of Bangladesh, presented an article titled 'Sundarbans in postage stamps'.

Advocate Rizwana Hasan, executive director of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (Bela), and Philip Gain, director of the Society for environment and Human Development (SEHD), were the panel discussants.

Rizwana said apart from its tigers and deer, the appeal of diverse eco-system including the thrilling silence of the Sundarbans has to be presented to people for its proper conservation.

Philip Gain said about 2.50 lakh hectares of the mangrove forest has been illegally destroyed for shrimp cultivation.

He stressed the need for educating people about the importance of the Sundarbans for the sake of its proper conservation.

Journalist Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul laid emphasis on sensitising the local people dependent on the Sundarban for their livelihood to save the forest.

Saifuddin Sabuj, chairman of Prokirti Foundation, presided over the discussion where Farruk Ahmed, director of development and research, Sundarban Academy, also spoke as special guest.