17pc terrestrial water, 10pc marine areas to be conserved by 2020

Bangladesh is planning to conserve 17 per cent of its terrestrial and inland water and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas potential for biodiversity and ecosystem services under protective area network within 2020.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a workshop titled 'Community-based Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Bangladesh'.

Department of Fisheries in association with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) organised the two-day-long workshop at Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) in the city Sunday, said a press release.

The minister said settlement of maritime boundary disputes between Bangladesh and Myanmar in the eastern side and Bangladesh and India in the western side has given Bangladesh enormous right of economic jurisdiction for exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of all kinds of coastal and marine resources.

"As per our commitment to international agreements, we need to declare 10 per cent of our sea Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as Coastal and Marine Protected Areas (CMPAs) by the year 2020," he said.

The minister also said, "Our diversified fisheries ecosystem and fishing-based livelihood are subject to various climate-related issues. But climate change impact on fisheries and aquaculture is not yet assessed."

He also called for more research on this field.

Fisheries Director General Syed Arif Azad presided over the ceremony while FAO permanent representative in Bangladesh Mike Robson was present at the programme.

Researchers and scientists from home and abroad, delegates from FAO Headquarters, development partners and officials from government and non-government organisations attended the workshop.