JICA supports Bangladesh in technology-driven coastal forestry initiative
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a record of discussion (R/D) with the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) for the 'Project for Enhancing Coastal Resilience through Technology-based Forest Management'.
This four-year project, scheduled to run from May 2025 to April 2029, will see JICA supporting BFD in implementing advanced forest management techniques in Bangladesh's coastal regions. The initiative aims to bolster the country's coastal resilience and restore forest landscapes, focusing on the vulnerable mangrove ecosystems.
The signing ceremony, held at the ERD conference room in Agargaon, marked the formalisation of this vital cooperation. Ms. Miura Mari, Senior Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office, signed the agreement alongside Dr. A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, ERD, Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, BFD, and Ms. Fatima Tuz Zohora, Joint Secretary, MoEFCC.
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This project seeks to enhance BFD's capabilities in forest landscape restoration by promoting technology-based forest management planning and monitoring. The Bangladesh coast, identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as highly vulnerable to climate change, faces severe degradation due to frequent cyclones and storm surges, making this project critical for coastal resilience.
Ms. Miura Mari highlighted the significance of this collaboration, noting its role in disaster risk reduction, community livelihood improvement, and climate change mitigation. She emphasised the importance of collective effort, drawing parallels with Japan's forest conservation initiatives.
Dr. A. K. M. Shahabuddin expressed gratitude to JICA and urged MoEFCC and BFD to expedite project implementation. Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury acknowledged the challenges faced in forest conservation, emphasising the benefits of integrating modern technology through this project.
Ms. Fatema Tuz Zohora underscored the importance of forestry in mitigating the severe impacts of natural calamities and climate change in Bangladesh. She expressed optimism about future collaborations with JICA to further strengthen the country's forest management efforts.
