DHAKA: Bangladesh is one of those few low-lying countries on earth having unique biophysical setting and abundant water resources endowed with a magnificent heritage of animals, plants and diverse ecosystems.
Even under threat and extinction, it is still abundant with various forest resources, wildlife and the greenery landscapes at large. But like other parts of the mother earth, various reasons help edge the number of the wildlife population and at the center of all, stand colossal human activities subversive to our nature and wildlife.
Given that unpleasant reality of wildlife extinction from earth and the need for preservation them from slaughter and loss, global awareness is the key to all our attempts.
We have a wide variety of animals and plants diversity available in the wilderness areas of the country and it is a home to around 22 species of amphibian, 17 species of marine reptiles, 109 species of reptile, 388 species of birds, 110 species of mammals and 3 species of marine mammals. And many of them are gradually and completely disappearing from our nature and life forever. They will never come back to our life. This loss will impact our nature and life to a larger scale and will have an offensive upshot to the environmental and ecological balances.
Development of civilization is a continuous process. Population growth is another inevitability of the civilization. Both affect our planet’s natural system. And we are part of that holistic system. In addition to this natural process of nature, preventable adverse human actions increasingly aggravated the conditions. The atrocities that we are continuously committing against our nature and wildlife eventually affect our wildlife population, natural resources and ecosystems. And the greater danger is looming.
Our country is most highly populated country in the world. It is most vulnerable to global climate change and natural disaster. All these are simultaneously the cause and impact of deforestation, desertification and so one leading to limit the natural habitats.
To protect our forest, environment and wildlife we have dozens of environment laws in hand. Wildlife (Preservation) Order was enacted in 1973 and now it is repealed. Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act was passed in 2012. And above all, constitution has provided for protection and improvement of environment and biodiversity.
This environmental provision in the constitution was incorporated by 15th amendment of constitution in 2011. Article 18A of the constitution says, “The state shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to preserve and safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forest and wildlife for the present and future citizens”.
The plain reading of the provision proposes for all out concerted state actions for protection of environment and resources that bestowed to us from nature.
The Act of 2012 has provided for an advisory board, scientific committee and authorized officers for conservation of biodiversity, forest and wildlife. The functions of those statutory bodies includes but not limited to review the matter of conservation, development and management of biodiversity and wildlife and to prepare incentive schemes and projects for conservation of wildlife.
Chapter 3 of the Act provided for all sorts of ban on hunting of any wild animals. The government may prohibit hunting of any specified or all wild animals in a specific forest area or throughout Bangladesh for a specific period.
The government may declare any government forest or part of such forest or wetland as sanctuary for conservation of habitat for wildlife.
But, unfortunately enough, the Wildlife Act including all other plethora of laws proved inept to protect and preserve wildlife for our life. Hunting, poaching and trafficking for illegal trade is growing even with the stricter laws in force. Our green land; a wide sanctuary for wildlife and animals; has turned out to be a favorite route for wild traders, poachers and smugglers.
All those nefarious acts are punishable under law. Our law must go wild to protect our wildlife. The maxim that justice should not only be done but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done should come true to the animals and wildlife too.
Writer: Ershadul Alam Prince, Law Editor, Banglanews24.com
BDST: 1841 HRS, OCT 08, 2016
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