Save forests, fight global warming

Conservation of forest is necessary not only for its resources but also to fight global warming, said speakers at a discussion in the capital yesterday.
The Department of Forest organised the three-day conference on the slogan "Forestry for Better Living". Named “The First Bangladesh Forestry Congress, 2011”, this was the first such conference arranged by the department after the country's independence.
Yesterday was the last day of the conference. Some 300 people, who are somehow related to forests, participated in the discussion held at forest department's auditorium.
Deforestation accounts for an at least 18 percent increase in carbon in the global atmosphere, mentioned the speakers.
They said conservation and development of forests in Bangladesh is even more necessary as the country bears the brunt of climate change. The participants recommended more community involvement in forest management and conservation.
They also asked for a new forest policy. The existing one was introduced in 1994 and that too was not implemented properly, said the participants.
They emphasised the need for trans-boundary effort with the neighbouring countries to reduce the human-wildlife conflict for better management of biodiversity.
The department organised this programme in light of the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and development of all kinds of forest.
Mesbah ul Alam, secretary of the environment and forest ministry, was the chief guest at the concluding session chaired by Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, chief conservator of forest.
Alam said it is time to determine the economic value of all kinds of direct and indirect ecological services provided by forest.
"If we can find out the proper economic value of forest, only then can we ensure its proper conservation," he noted.
The conference offered a great opportunity to exchange views among forest officials, researchers, academicians, students, forest dwellers, non-government organisations (NGO), development partners, scholars and social welfare workers working on forest issues.
They discussed several issues focusing on forest and climate change, biodiversity and research, management, development and better utilisation of forest resources.