Environment Minister Calls for Engaging Local Communities

in Rangeland Protection and Sustainable Management

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 26 August:

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for engaging local communities in rangeland protection and sustainable land management. He also emphasized the need to ensure the protection of common and community lands and to strengthen the economic capacity of rural communities.

The Minister made the call today at the Ministerial Dialogue on ‘Restoration of Rangelands and the Well-being of Pastoralist Communities’ held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as part of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The Minister said Bangladesh is not a country with extensive rangelands in the conventional sense. However, the livestock sector plays an important role in the country’s rural economy and livelihoods. Post-harvest croplands, fallow lands, char areas, wetlands and roadsides are used for livestock grazing. The livestock sector contributes around 2 percent to the country’s gross domestic product and supports the livelihoods of millions of people.

Abdul Awal Mintoo said grazing areas are gradually shrinking due to population pressure and different types of land use. Rangelands have declined significantly, particularly in coastal areas. He stressed that community and common grazing lands need to be identified and mapped, cooperation between local administrations and communities should be strengthened, and accessible and effective mechanisms should be established for resolving land-use disputes.

Highlighting the environmental importance of Bangladesh’s wetlands and floodplain areas, the Minister said these areas play an important role in maintaining soil fertility, regulating water, conserving biodiversity and storing carbon. Therefore, livestock production and environmental conservation should not be viewed as conflicting priorities; rather, they should be considered in an integrated manner in national land management planning.

Referring to the example of Tanguar Haor, he said community-based management has yielded positive results in conserving biodiversity and natural resources. However, sustained financing, along with long-term commitment, is necessary to ensure the long-term success of such initiatives.

The Minister said Bangladesh will further integrate sustainable rangeland and common-land management with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the National Adaptation Plan, and the National Roadmap for Combating Land Degradation, Drought and Desertification.

The minister called for ensuring adequate financing, accountability and practical measures for rangeland restoration and sustainable land management. He said Bangladesh is ready to share its own experiences with other countries and learn from the effective experiences of others.

Ministers, deputy ministers and heads of delegations from different countries participated in the Ministerial Dialogue.
-ত.বি.