Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the urgency of a sustainable, long-term approach to human-elephant conflict during a stakeholder meeting at Madhutila Ecopark on Monday. She called for ecological restoration, planting native trees, and halting forest destruction to prevent further habitat loss and clashes between communities and elephants.
Highlighting that elephant lives are as valuable as human lives, Hasan urged coordinated planning from local administrations and forest officials to protect both. She also distributed over Tk 900,000 in compensation to families impacted by recent elephant attacks and damages, and provided essential field equipment to the Elephant Response Team.
Since 2014, the government has disbursed over Tk 27 million to nearly 1,000 individuals affected by elephant-related incidents. The adviser also visited the Daudhara Garo Hills and inspected a long-term afforestation initiative aimed at restoring natural forest cover.
