Ensuring the coexistence of humans and wild elephants has been identified as a government priority, stated Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources.

She made the remarks on Sunday evening (31 August) while presiding virtually over a review meeting focused on measures to mitigate human–elephant conflicts.

From the Adviser’s Statement

• Families and farmers affected by elephant attacks should receive compensation easily and swiftly. To achieve this, relevant regulations will be amended.
• Timely measures are essential to ensure the long-term survival of elephants.
• The Elephant Response Teams (ERTs), consisting of trained local volunteers, will be further strengthened with:
  • Walkie-talkies and essential equipment
  • Initiatives to plant trees suitable for elephant consumption

She further highlighted:

• Special manpower deployment during the Boro cultivation season
• Greater participation of local communities
• Launching awareness training programmes in schools and colleges
• Producing educational videos on elephant conservation for circulation on social media

Importantly, she cautioned that filming elephants at close range, particularly for platforms like TikTok, must be strictly prohibited.

Participants in the Meeting

The session was attended by:

• Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests
• Md Rakibul Hasan Mukul, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests
• Tarfadar Mahmudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur
• Professor Dr Ali Reza Khan, Wildlife Specialist
• Md Sanaullah Patwari, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle
• Director of the Elephant Conservation Project

Strategic Areas of Focus

Through these coordinated initiatives, the government aims to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants, while simultaneously advancing wildlife conservation and protecting vulnerable communities.