Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu stated that creating elephant sanctuaries in the Garo Hills and enhancing local tourism would resolve human-elephant conflict while also putting an end to illegal forest encroachment.
He made these remarks as the chief guest during an exchange meeting on mitigating human-elephant conflict with Elephant Response Teams (ERT), media professionals, and volunteers at the Madhutila Eco Park in Nalitabari Upazila, Sherpur, on Saturday afternoon (October 10).
The Environment Minister said, "In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India, a proposal for a meeting has been submitted regarding the establishment of six elephant movement corridors along the India-Bangladesh border. The meeting is expected to take place within the next 3 to 4 months."
He added, "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman cares even more deeply about the environment, ecology, and biodiversity than we do. That is why we are here today. Necessary measures regarding an elephant sanctuary in Sherpur's Garo Hills will be taken after discussions with the Prime Minister and the Forest Department."
Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Farida Yasmin, the event was addressed by Member of Parliament for Sherpur-2 (Nakhla-Nalitabari) Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Superintendent of Police AKM Zahirul Islam, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Dhaka) Md. Sanaullah Patwary, Mymensingh Divisional Forest Officer Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, Sherpur Press Club General Secretary Masud Hasan Badal, and Elephant Response Team member Lawrence Drong, among others.
Officials from the district administration and Forest Department, journalists, ERT members, local BNP leaders, and residents were present at the event.
Later, the Minister distributed compensation checks totaling Tk 16.65 lakh to victims and families affected by elephant attacks, along with elephant-repelling equipment—including searchlights—to 32 ERT teams.
Earlier, the Minister inspected elephant movement corridors in the Garo Hills. Following the visit, he held another exchange meeting in Jhenaigati Upazila, where he distributed compensation checks to individuals and families impacted by elephant attacks.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Hafijur Rahman Luvlu, Sherpur District Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
