Bangladesh seeks Nordic support to create elephant wildlife sanctuary

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for Nordic support — both financial and technical — in establishing a wildlife sanctuary for elephants, which are already extinct in the region.

She said this during a meeting with Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks; Norwegian Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen; and Danish Deputy Head of Mission Anders Karlsen at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

She also said that restoring Bangladesh's rivers remains a top priority for the ministry, calling on Nordic nations to contribute their expertise and collaborate on these critical environmental projects.

Highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions, Syeda Rizwana Hasan invited Nordic countries to share their expertise in addressing plastic pollution.

She emphasized the ministry’s focus on engaging youth to tackle plastic and noise pollution and sought Nordic support in implementing awareness campaigns to bolster these initiatives.

The Nordic representatives reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating on biodiversity conservation, river pollution prevention and renewable energy development.

Danish Deputy Head of Mission Anders Karlsen expressed Denmark’s interest in a $1.2 billion investment to establish an offshore wind farm in Cox’s Bazar, which would generate 500MW of electricity.

Norwegian Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen shared Norway’s readiness to support the implementation of a “Marine Litter Prevention Project” aimed at promoting sustainable plastic use and reducing marine litter in Bangladesh.

The environment adviser accepted an invitation to attend the Nordic Day celebration on February 6, 2025, as chief guest, underscoring the growing partnership between Bangladesh and the Nordic countries in addressing environmental challenges.