Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday emphasised the need to end wildlife hunting, capturing, and trafficking to protect biodiversity.

She called for the preservation of all wildlife, including tigers and elephants, and urged that deforestation be stopped to save existing forests. Small initiatives for environmental protection, she noted, can lead to significant change.

She shared these thoughts as the chief guest at the national closing ceremony of the 'Wildlife Olympiad' held at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka.

As a former student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, she shared various memories and mentioned that an initiative would be taken to designate an old tree at the institution as a memorial tree. Rizwana Hasan further highlighted the message of conservation being spread through the Wildlife Olympiad, emphasising the vision for a green and beautiful Bangladesh for future generations.

She mentioned various measures taken to protect Bangladesh’s only coral island, St. Martin’s, and urged people to avoid using plastic bags, unnecessary honking, and to save electricity by turning off fans and lights during the day.