Terming the conservation of biodiversity the most important challenge of the 21st century, he said there has been serious environmental degradation in the country.

As a signatory to the convention on biological diversity, the government is committed to preserving the biodiversity, he added.

The minister was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of '14th Biennial National Conference 2004' of the Zoological Society of Bangladesh at the Teacher Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University.

The zoology department of DU and the Zoological Society jointly organised the conference, with Society President Prof. Mahmud-Ul Ameen in the chair.

Prof. Mohammad Altaf Hossain of Rajshahi University presented a keynote paper titled 'Biodiversity Conservation and the Zoologists'.

In his paper, Prof. Altaf said the scientists have an ethical role to play in perfecting a system that is socially acceptable, economically feasible, technologically manageable and ecologically sound.

"We need sustainable management of our environment with rich biodiversity at sustainable level," he said.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. SMA Faiz, Prof. Humayun Reza Khan, Prof. Kazi Zaker Hossain and Chairman of the zoology department Prof. Gulsan Ara Latifa also spoke.

Meanwhile, a two-day regional workshop on 'Renewable energy: progress and prospects' began at the Physics Auditorium at Mukarram Bhaban of the university.

Science and ICT Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan inaugurated the workshop organised by Bangladesh Solar Energy Society and the Renewable Energy Research Centre.

Presided over by Prof. Muhtasham Hussain, president of the Solar Energy Society, the programme was also addressed by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. AFM Yusuf Haider, Prof. Shahida Rafique, and Prof. Neem Chandra Bhowmik, director of Renewable Energy Research Centre.