The theme of the Intational Day of Forests for this year - “Forests and Climate Change” - highlighted forest-based solutions to address climate change mitigation and adaptation, and more broadly forests and sustainable development. At a seminar organised by the Forest Department, and attended by both the Minister of the Environment and Forests, and the Secretary of the Ministry, a keynote paper was delivered by Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Chairman, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka. Prof Khan gave an overview of the role of forests in climate change, and presented an overview of the challenges in forest governance, including a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis highlighting internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats.

Mr Anwar Hossain Manju, hon'ble Minister for Environment and Forests in his speech as the chief guest chose to stress the importance placed by government on providing basic services for 160 million people on a densely populated land mass; in such a context, conservation of forest cannot stand at the frontline in the priority list of the Government. He also mentioned that various forms of illegal activity such as logging and landgrabbing have been undermining attempts at forest conservation. However, on a more optimistc note, he stressed the positive role that the next generation are beginning to play in conservation.

Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests stated that despite law enforcement, the rate of illegal felling and encroachment seems to be increasing. He urged that a strong initiative should come not only from government, but also for the affected communities to come forward to stop illegal felling and encroachment.

Mr Yunus Ali, Chief Conservator of Forest emphasised the shortage of manpower of the Forest Department to support the conservation activities and protect this valuable resource of the country.
At the technical session of the seminar which followed, a number of academics and former Chief Conservators of Forests were present as panel discussants.

Mr Mike Robson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh stated the forest relationship with climate change is complex. Degraded forest may be a source of green house gases which drive climate change; forests are sensitive indicators of climate change; fuel wood may be a less damaging source of greenhouse gases than fossil fuels; and finally, forests have huge potential to sequester atmospheric carbon. He also pointed out that forest conservation depends on the abilities of the local communities to derive sustainable livelihoods; if policing alone is the approach used, it is unlikely that there will ever be sufficient rangers to protect the forest. Ways must be found to balance conservation with sustainable use.

Mr Karl Wurster, Deputy Team Leader, Economic Growth Office, USAID sounded an optimistic note, that given the land pressures which exist it is commendable the extent and quality of forest which is surviving, most notably in the Sundarbans and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Others cited work from India allowing the calculation of the ecosystem services provides by forests, and not just the economic value of forest products; emphasised the needs of the Forest Department for resources; and highlighted the contradiction in the Forest Department acting to raise revenues at the same time as playing a concervation role. Dr Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, IUCN Country Representative mentioned that in Bangladesh the biodiversity checklist is not yet prepared. IUCN has prepared a Red List for fauna but so far there is no list for endangered/ threatened flora. Dr Farid Uddin Ahmed, Excutive Director, Arranyak Foundation emphasised the role of forests in provisioning, specifically as a source of water.

The technical session concluded with summary remarks and thanks from the current CCF, Mr Md Yunus Ali.