Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today said collective efforts are needed to ensure a safe future for elephants. Government initiatives alone are not enough and that is why people from all walks of life, including local communities, forest department field workers, non-governmental organisations, students, young generation, researchers, media workers, must be involved in this work, he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised, on the occasion of World Elephant Day 2026, at the conference room of the Forest Department in the city's Agargaon area.
Threats to Elephants
The minister highlighted that habitat encroachment and destruction, deforestation, illegal hunting and wildlife crime have become major threats to the existence of elephants. According to the 2015 survey, the number of wild elephants permanently residing in the country is 268, the number of migratory wild elephants is 93 and the number of captive elephants is 96. Mintoo said initiatives have been taken to conduct another elephant survey by 2027.
Government Initiatives
Mintoo highlighted the various initiatives of the government for elephant conservation. The Bangladesh Elephant Conservation Action Plan (2018-2027) has been formulated, in which 40 priority activities have been identified. These activities are being implemented through various projects. The government is also providing compensation to the people affected by human-elephant conflict. From 2012 to June 2026, a total of about Taka 13.77 crore has been provided as compensation to the families of 322 deceased persons, 169 injured persons and 3,215 families who suffered damage to their homes and crops.
Community Involvement
The minister said the local people have been involved in dealing with human-elephant conflict. So far, 159 Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) have been formed in elephant-inhabited areas. These teams are playing an important role in providing early warnings about the arrival of elephants, monitoring elephant movements and reducing conflicts between humans and elephants in a safe manner. Mintoo said the participation of local people in elephant conservation is 'our biggest strength'.
