Diplomatic Desk: Bangladesh has sought Turkish expertise to support forest restoration and eco-tourism initiatives, particularly in regions affected by human-wildlife conflict, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said Monday.
During a meeting with Ambassador Ramis SEN of the Republic of Turkiye at her office in Pani Bhaban, the Adviser—who also oversees Water Resources—stressed the urgent need to rehabilitate degraded forest ecosystems.
Highlighting a recent incident involving the deaths of elephants due to habitat loss and food scarcity, Rizwana Hasan called for targeted restoration efforts and international cooperation to mitigate such tragedies.
“We are prioritising forest restoration, especially in areas where wildlife-human conflicts are escalating. Turkish expertise in this field could be highly beneficial,” she noted.
The bilateral meeting explored potential cooperation in environmental conservation, sustainable development, and eco-tourism, with a particular emphasis on technical support for afforestation using native tree species and nature-centric tourism strategies.
Rizwana Hasan outlined her vision for developing eco-tourism destinations that minimize environmental disruption. A master plan for Sylhet, one of the country’s most scenic regions, is underway with a focus on balancing tourism and conservation.
Ambassador Sen welcomed the initiative, expressing confidence in Turkey’s ability to contribute. He highlighted the role of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which has an active office in Dhaka, as a conduit for future collaboration.
“TIKA stands ready to support medium-scale projects in forest restoration and eco-tourism. We are committed to fostering deeper cooperation with Bangladesh,” said the ambassador.
The two sides agreed to facilitate communication between TIKA and the Adviser’s office to identify viable projects and initiate direct dialogues with Turkish institutions involved in nature-based tourism and conservation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to accelerate joint initiatives, ensuring swift, sustainable and impactful collaboration.
Merve Ozcelik, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Turkish Embassy, and senior ministry officials were also present at the discussion.
