The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at an opinion exchange meeting yesterday emphasised the need for bringing back the ecological balance of the Sundarbans for the greater interest of the country since it has been severely damaged by natural disasters.

They called upon all concerned to play their due role in protecting the forest and the environment.

Organised jointly by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), an organisation working for the improvement of the environment, and Nagorik Uddog, the meeting was held at the National Press Club with its Vice President ASM Shajahan in the chair.

Among others, the meeting was addressed, by IUCN Country Director Dr Inun Nishat, DU teacher Prof Dr AQM Mahbub, Prof Dr Abdur Rahman, Dr Monirul Khan, BAPA Joint Secretary Zakir Hossain, Mihir Biswas, Syed Golam Kader, Salma A Shafi and AKM Enamul Haque Miah.

Dr Inun Nishat said the Sundarbans is not only surrounded by trees, beasts and birds, wetlands and water are also part of the mangrove forest.

He suggested that any plan for its development should take into account these aspects of the Sundarbans.

ASM Shajahan said application of new technologies in the name of development upsets the balance of nature.

He termed nature as part and parcel of our existence and said it would not be wise to give the responsibility for developing the Sundarbans to a certain department.

AQM Mahbub emphasised the need for providing training to those who are responsible to protect the Sundarban.