Syeda Rizwana Hassan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that the government has finalized the integrated management plan for the Swachh of Noground (a protected area located in the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh) to protect marine biodiversity. The plan aims to protect endangered marine animals and their habitats, including dolphins, whales, sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.
He said this at a virtual meeting organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to finalize the Integrated Monitoring Management Plan for Marine Protected Areas (SONG-MPA) on Wednesday (January 8).
The advisor said that this plan will help in sustainable fishing, protect the livelihoods of coastal communities and develop the green economy. The plan provides clear guidelines on fisheries, shipping, pollution control and tourism regulation.
The advisor said three areas have been identified in the plan – fish farming and farming areas, marine wildlife conservation areas, and sustainable fisheries areas. It is proposed to increase the area of the protected area from 1,738 square kilometers to 6,866 square kilometers.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Farheena Ahmed, Additional Secretary Tapan Kumar Biswas, Joint Secretary (Forest) Shamima Begum, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests and Project Director Soval Gobind Roy, among others. The Senior Advisor of the World Conservation Society presented the management plan that had been prepared at the meeting. Syed Arif Azad.
The initiative will be implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in cooperation with various organizations and residents of coastal areas. It will ensure a balance between sustainable use of marine resources and environmental protection.