National Herbarium identifies 442 new plant species

The Bangladesh National Herbarium has preserved more than 350,000 plant specimens through nationwide surveys and identified 442 plant species previously unrecorded in Bangladesh, alongside 10 species that are entirely new to science, officials said at an event marking World Environment Day 2026.

The achievements were highlighted yesterday at a discussion organised by the Chattogram office of the Department of Environment at the Chattogram District Shilpakala Academy. 

The event also showcased the government's initiatives to protect the environment, tackle climate change, expand forest cover and conserve biodiversity.

Officials said the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute has also developed more than 100 sustainable technologies, including bamboo cultivation through tissue culture.

The meeting heard that Bangladesh has so far undertaken 967 climate adaptation and mitigation projects through the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust using its own funds. Of these, 709 projects have already been completed.

Officials added that ecosystem-based management programmes are currently under way in Hakaluki Haor, Tanguar Haor, the Halda River, the Barind region and St Martin's Island.

The government has set a target of increasing the country's forest cover to 27% by 2035. To help achieve that goal, a programme to plant 250 million trees over the next five years has already begun.

Addressing the event as chief guest, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Ziauddin said, "Environmental pollution has reached such a level that microplastics and heavy metals are now being found in food, blood and even mothers' breast milk. This is an extremely worrying signal for future generations.

"There have been several mass extinctions in the Earth's history, but those were part of natural processes. The current crisis is largely the result of human activities. Climate change is causing extreme heat, excessive rainfall, floods and even situations resembling pandemics."

"The battle to overcome this crisis is not against nature but against our own harmful actions. Government initiatives alone are not enough to protect the environment. Researchers, writers, teachers, students and the general public all need to play a collective role.

"Environmental research and innovation can make an important contribution to policymaking. Researchers should carry out more studies and present their findings to society," he added.

Presiding over the programme, Sonia Sultana, director of the Department of Environment's Chattogram Metropolitan Office, said, "Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Plastic waste is making conditions more complex by causing sediment and waste to accumulate in the Karnaphuli River and along the Bay of Bengal coast.

"We are responsible for this pollution ourselves. There is no alternative to raising personal and social awareness to prevent plastic pollution. We must work together to address the risks posed by rising sea levels, excessive rainfall and other natural disasters."

The event was opened with a welcome speech by Zamir Uddin, director of the Department of Environment's Chattogram Regional Office.

Among the special guests were Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Chattogram Range Sanjoy Sarkar, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Mohammad Faisal Ahmed, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Pathan Md Saiduzzaman.

Officials from various government agencies, academics, researchers, environmental activists and students also attended the programme.