Staff Reporter: At least 38,000 wild animals were rescued alive in the country in the last 10 years since the enactment of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, and the establishment of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) under the Department of Forest. Forest officials believe that this is a great achievement for the WCCU as well as the forest department in the conservation of wildlife and prevention of killing and smuggling of wild animals.
This was stated by the forest officials at the inaugural ceremony of a training course, organised by the Wildlife Crime Control Unit. The inaugural ceremony of the 10-day training "Wildlife Crime Prevention and Wildlife Handling" began on Monday with the participation of volunteers dedicated to wildlife conservation.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Botanical Garden in the capital. Chief Conservator of Forest Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while Director of National Botanical Garden Dr. Md. Zahidur Rahman Mia was present as a special guest. Director Wildlife Crime Control Unit ASM Jahir Uddin Akon presided over the function, while Wildlife Inspector Nargis Sultana moderated the event.
Speaking as the chief guest, Amir Hossain Chowdhury said that wildlife must be saved in order to save the environment and the world. “We have to do everything we can to save the wildlife,” he added.
He further said that many people are killing and hunting wild animals due to a lack of awareness and various other reasons, while international criminal gangs are also involved in the killing and smuggling of wild animals.
However, the killing and hunting of wildlife are declining day by day in the country due to increasing awareness among the people and taking various preventive and legal measures. Smuggling to other countries is also declining. However, the killing of wildlife must be completely controlled, he added, Dr. Md. Zahidur Rahman Mia said that killing and smuggling of wild animals is a punishable crime. Those who kill wildlife are involved in many other crimes against animals and the destruction of the environment.
He also said that wildlife smuggling is going on globally and it is a heinous business. Such crime is also happening in Bangladesh. But as a result of the activities of the forest department and other departments of the government and law enforcement agencies, the smuggling of wildlife and its parts is decreasing; while the killing and hunting of wild animals are also decreasing. As a result, at least 38,000 wild animals have been rescued alive in the country in the last 10 years. It is a great achievement for the forest department.
ASM Jahir Uddin Akon called upon all to continue working sincerely for the conservation and prevention of wildlife. He said the Wildlife Crime Control Unit is working seriously to protect the wildlife.
He also said that in the last 10 years since the establishment of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit and enactment of the wildlife conservation law, more than three hundred and fifty cases have been registered under the law. Many have been arrested in these cases. Many are facing trial. These are the aspects of hope. Nargis Sultana said the Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) is working with very small manpower. However, they are working regularly with limited manpower. She drew the attention of the authorities concerned in this regard.
