Bangladesh Taps Turkish Expertise for Forest Restoration, Eco-Tourism

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has conveyed keen interest in harnessing Turkish expertise to support Bangladesh’s forest restoration efforts, particularly in regions affected by human-wildlife conflict.

In a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ramis Şen at her Pani Bhaban office, Rizwana Hasan—who also advises on water resources—emphasized the urgent need to rehabilitate degraded forest ecosystems. She cited a recent incident involving elephant deaths linked to habitat destruction and food shortages as a stark reminder of the consequences of ecological imbalance.

The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in environmental conservation, sustainable development, and eco-tourism. Rizwana highlighted the need for technical support in planting appropriate tree species and promoting nature-friendly tourism. She outlined plans for eco-tourism initiatives, including a master plan for the Sylhet region that aims to preserve ecological integrity.

Ambassador Şen reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s conservation goals, noting the active presence of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Dhaka. He expressed TIKA’s willingness to engage in medium-scale collaborative projects across sectors.

Both parties explored opportunities to draw on Turkey’s expertise in nature-based tourism and agreed to facilitate communication between TIKA and the Adviser’s office to identify actionable projects and establish links with relevant Turkish institutions.

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to accelerating cooperation in forest restoration and eco-tourism, aiming for swift and effective implementation. Deputy Chief of Mission Merve Ozçelik and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment were also in attendance.