France reaffirms support to protect Sundarbans

“This partnership reflects our shared responsibility to protect the Sundarbans, a vital shield for millions and a sanctuary for irreplaceable wildlife,” she said while launching the Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS) project on Monday.

The Bangladesh government, through the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), together with IUCN Bangladesh, officially launched the project.

The initiative, led by national authorities and implemented by IUCN Bangladesh, receives financial support from the French Development Agency/Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The launch was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BFD and IUCN Bangladesh, followed by the grant financing agreement between AFD and IUCN Bangladesh.

This EUR 3 million grant represents AFD’s first direct support to biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh and lays the foundation for a long-term partnership with MoEFCC.

The Sundarbans, home to exceptional biodiversity and a critical source of protection and livelihood for more than six million people, is under increasing pressure from human activity and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

To address these challenges, the CRIS project will strengthen biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in the region through an integrated, science-based approach, according to AFD.

Activities will be implemented by IUCN Bangladesh in close collaboration with BFD, with AFD supporting the effort as a development partner.

The overall ambition of CRIS is to contribute to improved conservation and sustainable management of the Sundarbans, while supporting local communities through effective restoration practices.

The project will deliver four key outcomes - risk-informed conservation and restoration plans developed for the Sundarbans Region; improved biodiversity conservation in Sundarbans through faunal inventory and management plan development; enhanced ecological resilience through restoration and sustainable management of Sundarbans Impact Zone; and improved knowledge management and stakeholder collaboration.

Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury said the government of Bangladesh is committed to protecting the Sundarbans in line with national and international goals. “This project will help us restore degraded areas and work more closely with communities,” he said.

Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh Bipasha Hossain underscored the need for strong coordination and science-based action to secure the future of the Sundarbans.

She said the Sundarbans is a fragile ecosystem and a lifeline for millions of people. “Through CRIS, we want to bring scientific evidence, traditional knowledge and community experience together.”

The CRIS project will conduct climate-risk assessments, hydrological studies, socioeconomic research, faunal surveys and community-based ecological restoration, reports UNB.