Dhaka: World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO has decided not to include the Sundarbans in the endangered heritage list. In the 43rd meeting of the WHC held in Baku of Azerbaijan the 21 member committee took this unanimous decision.
Cuba, Bosnia, Herzegovina and China tabled the decision of not to include the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest of the world. During discussion taken part by the decision changer proposers besides Cuba, Bosnia, Herzegovina and China all other representatives of Azerbaijan, Brazil, Indonesia, Kuwait, Tunisia, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Zimbabwe and 15 observer states including India spoke in favor of the decision.
In the meeting the various steps taken by the Bangladesh government were highly praised. The member states stressed the need for continuing development activities and also to maintain the ecological balance. They also appreciated the steps taken by the government of Bangladesh. The decision was taken through reflecting the position of the member states.
According to the decision Bangladesh government would invite an expert delegation including an experts group of the WHC and would submit a report mentioning the up dated information within February -2020. The committee also welcomed the commitment of Bangladesh to start the process of Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) of South Western region of Bangladesh.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Towfiq e Elahi Chowdhury Bir Bikram(BB) extended thanks to the members of the committee. He mentioned that this decision would encourage the Bangladesh government to take appropriate steps and implementing those for preserving the environment.
He also mentioned in his speech that the committee has supported the attempt of the government to construct power stations to ensure the energy security of five crore people. Simultaneously they stressed need for maintaining ecological balance. He assured the committee that the Sundarbans is the pride of Bangladesh and government would take all necessary steps to preserve it.
The 43rd meeting of World Heritage Committee at Baku would continue till July 10 beginning from June 30. The Bangladesh delegation is being led by Dr. Towfiq e Elahi Chowdhury BB. The delegation also includes the Ambassador of Bangladesh to France and permanent representative to UNESCO Kazi Imtiaj Hossain.
It may be mentioned here that the Sundarbans was included in the World Heritage list in 1997.