Bangladesh embarks on a plant species survey with an eye to determining and protecting endangered plant species, and conserving forests and the environment.
The findings will play a significant role in botanical education and research, sustainable management and use of plant diversity, says environment ministry on the occasion of World Conservation Day.
The survey will also help identify endangered species and their protection, it adds.
The plant species survey will also help formulate national biodiversity conservation strategies and action plans in achieving SDG goals.
State-backed Bangladesh National Herbarium is conducting the survey, said environment, forests and climate change minister Md Shahab Uddin on Thursday.
"All the information may be used in Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands."
Joining virtually, Mr Shahab said this as the chief guest during the inaugural workshop of the plant species survey project of Barisal and Sylhet divisions held at the herbarium in Dhaka.
Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the ministry, presided over the workshop.
Additional secretary (development) Md Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury, additional secretary and director (additional charge) of National Herbarium Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, chief conservator of forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury and project director Dr Sardar Nasir Uddin were present at the event.
University professors, researchers from various institutes and ministry officials, among others, also attended the workshop.
Barisal is an ever-changing and ever-decreasing division in terms of plant diversity, according to the minister.
On the other hand, Sylhet division has a favourable environment for the creation of an abundance of plant diversity.
About 70,000 plant samples will be collected and two books containing information will be published.
All the information will be prepared and published on the website as an e-database.
The government under the sustainable forestry and livelihood (SUFAL) project is doing the red list of plant species and developing a strategy paper for controlling invasive alien plants in five selected protected areas, Mr Shahab concludes.
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