He said this while speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting titled ‘Elephant Conservation: Existing Challenges and Way Forward’ held at the Tourism Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Saturday.

The minister said elephant conservation is not just a matter of protecting the number of animals; it involves habitat, movement corridors, environmental balance, and the safety and livelihoods of local people. Human-elephant conflict is increasing due to habitat shrinkage, deforestation, food shortages, road and railway construction, climate change and electric traps.

He said that 146 elephants died in the country from 2016 to 2025. To reduce conflict, steps will be strengthened to protect elephant habitats and movement corridors, identify conflict-prone areas, and strengthen early warning and rapid response systems. Local people will also be included as important partners in conservation activities.

The minister emphasized increasing coordination between the Forest Department and BGB to prevent elephant poaching and trafficking in border areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. He also said that in plans for constructing new infrastructure, safe passage arrangements should be kept, considering elephants’ traditional movement routes.

Abdul Awal Mintu also emphasized maintaining accurate information on the licenses, number and condition of captive elephants and regular monitoring. He also said allegations of cruelty to elephants and commercial use should be investigated through due legal process, and treatment and welfare of captive elephants must be ensured.

The meeting, jointly organized by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), IUCN Bangladesh and several other organizations, was attended by BELA Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Member of Parliament Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury, wildlife expert Muhammad Ali Reza Khan and others concerned.