The government will reward those who will provide information to the forest department about dolphin killers.
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin came up with the announcement while addressing a discussion meeting as the chief guest on Sunday.
“Many people deliberately kill dolphins to get their oil. However, the government is trying to conserve dolphins and working sincerely to make it a success,” he said at the meeting, organised by the Forest Department on the occasion of International Freshwater Dolphin Day-2021.
Referring to various initiatives taken by the government to conserve the aquatic mammals, the minister said seven conservation teams have been formed to conserve dolphins in the Sundarbans, adding similar teams will be formed in other areas.
“Training is being given to the concerned people, including fishermen. The government has so far declared nine dolphin sanctuaries in the country to conserve the aquatic mammal,” he said.
The environment minister said the Dolphin Action Plan and Dolphin Atlas have been prepared. The number of dolphins in the Halda River has been determined and a management plan has been formulated.
The Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act includes a provision of imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to Tk 500,000 or both for the recurring offences of dolphin killing.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chairman Nature and Life Foundation Mukit spoke as special guests at the discussion meeting chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury.
