Staff Correspondent:

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said dolphins are a vital indicator of river health, and their survival is intrinsically linked to the well-being of both rivers and people.

“Dolphins are the symbol of our rivers’ health. Where dolphins survive, rivers also survive, and when rivers survive, humans do so,” she said.

Rizwana, also the adviser of the ministry of water resources, made these remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the Forest Department in the capital’s Agargaon area marking the International Freshwater Dolphin Day, according to a press release.

“Talking about dolphins means talking about our own survival, because when river water becomes polluted, it threatens both dolphins and humans. Keeping rivers clean is crucial for the survival of both,” she said.

She added, “We ourselves are polluting our rivers while claiming to be a civilised nation, this is contradictory. If the dolphin population increases, it means we are protecting our rivers; if it declines, it means we are putting our rivers in danger.”

Syeda Rizwana Hasan continued that protecting wildlife requires not only laws but also psychological and behavioral changes. “If people become cruel to innocent creatures, it reflects a moral decay in society. The community must stand up against such cruelty,” she observed.

She expressed the hope that a voluntary network will be formed in every district to support the Forest Department so that quick action can be taken in rescuing and protecting wildlife.

“I sincerely thank all those who are spontaneously working to protect wild animals,” she said, adding, “The welfare of humans and wildlife is deeply interconnected, if we save animals, nature will, in turn, save us.”

With Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury in the chair, Conservator of Forests Md Sanaullah Patwary, Dr Md Jahangir Alam of WCS Bangladesh, Dr Md Ishtiak Sobha of the World Bank, and Divisional Forest Officer Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of Sundarbans East Forest Division also spoke on the occasion.

Besides, a handbook titled “Ganga Dolphin Conservation Handbook” was unveiled on the occasion, followed by an educational exhibition on dolphins.