Prof Monwar receives Dwijen Sharma award

Jahangirnagar University (JU) Professor Monwar Hossain, a noted zoologist, was awarded with “Tarupallab Dwijen Sharma Nisharga Puroshkar 2019” yesterday for his extraordinary contributions to conservation of nature and biodiversity.

Prof Monwar, founder of Butterfly Park and Research Centre at JU, is known for his extensive research on butterflies over the last few decades. He is also the initiator of “Butterfly Fair” -- held every year on the university campus.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin handed over the award at a programme held at National Museum in the capital’s Shahbagh.

Tarupallab, a non-government organisation working on environmental protection, has been conferring the award since last year to mark the death anniversary of Dwijen Sharma, an eminent botanist and writer.

The award included a crest, certificate and a cheque for Tk 50,000.

“Butterflies are a symbol of healthy environment. If you find butterflies anywhere, it means there are sufficient trees and the ecosystem is doing well,” said Prof Monwar, while speaking at the programme.

“If the butterflies are not doing well, the environment is not healthy. And if the environment is unhealthy, we are all in danger,” he said.

The professor also expressed gratitude for honouring him with the award.

Speaking at the event, Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, former country representative of IUCN Bangladesh, urged the state minister to take strict measures to stop deforestation and forest land grabbing.

Prominent writer Selina Hossain, noted folklorist Shamsuzzaman Khan, Liberation War Museum Trustee Mofidul Hoque, and renowned bird specialist Inam Al Haque also spoke on the occasion.

This year, Tarupallab also introduced a new award titled “Brikkhoshokha Uddipona Puroshkar”. Shahana Chowdhury and Layla Ahmed jointly received the award.