Transforming Bangladesh's Wildlife Commission into a lasting national legacy

The Government of Bangladesh deserves commendation for taking an important step towards strengthening wildlife conservation. At its Cabinet meeting held on 21 December 2026, the Government resolved to constitute a 10-member Wildlife Commission to provide advice and recommendations on conserving safe habitats for wild animals, protecting wildlife, and promoting public awareness, as published in an official notification.

The establishment of this Commission reflects the Government's recognition of the growing conservation challenges facing the country's wildlife and biodiversity. It is a timely initiative that deserves broad public support.

An important beginning, but a limited mandate

According to the notification, the Commission has been entrusted with several important responsibilities, including conserving elephant habitats, increasing tiger populations, planting fruit-bearing trees, mitigating human–wildlife conflict, and raising public awareness. These are undoubtedly pressing issues that require immediate attention.

However, the Commission's current Terms of Reference (ToR) remain largely operational and advisory in nature. While they address some of today's most urgent conservation problems, they do not provide the Commission with a broader strategic mandate to reform wildlife governance or develop a long-term national vision for wildlife conservation in Bangladesh.

A rare opportunity that should not be missed

Bangladesh is home to globally significant biodiversity, yet the country continues to face increasing pressures from habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, infrastructure development, pollution and escalating human–wildlife conflict. These challenges cannot be addressed solely through species-specific interventions or short-term management measures. They require comprehensive institutional reform, evidence-based policymaking and long-term strategic planning.

The newly formed Commission therefore has the potential to become far more than an advisory body addressing a handful of immediate concerns. With an expanded mandate, it could lay the foundation for a modern wildlife governance framework capable of guiding Bangladesh's conservation efforts over the coming decades.

Developing a national wildlife vision

One of the Commission's foremost responsibilities should be the preparation of a comprehensive National Wildlife Policy that clearly defines Bangladesh's conservation vision, priorities and institutional framework for the next 20 to 30 years. Such a policy would provide strategic direction for government agencies, researchers, conservation organisations and local communities alike.

Complementing this policy, the Commission should also prepare a 10-year National Wildlife Action Plan with measurable targets, implementation mechanisms and clear indicators for monitoring progress.

Reforming wildlife governance

Equally important is a thorough review of Bangladesh's existing wildlife governance system. The Commission should assess whether the present administrative arrangement under the Forest Department is adequately equipped to address increasingly complex conservation challenges involving protected areas, wetlands, marine biodiversity and threatened species.

If necessary, it should evaluate the feasibility of establishing a dedicated Bangladesh Wildlife Conservation and Management Department with specialised scientific, technical, veterinary and enforcement capacities to complement and strengthen the country's conservation efforts.

Modernising wildlife laws

The Commission should also examine whether the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2026 remains fit for purpose in light of emerging conservation challenges. Advances in wildlife science, biotechnology, wildlife crime investigation, invasive species management and captive breeding have transformed conservation practice worldwide. Bangladesh's legal framework should evolve accordingly.

Strengthening protected area management

Protected area management deserves careful attention. The Commission should review whether the existing network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other protected areas adequately represents Bangladesh's diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.

It should identify opportunities for establishing ecological corridors, elephant corridors, marine protected areas and buffer zones to improve landscape connectivity and strengthen long-term ecological resilience.

Recovering threatened species

Bangladesh's threatened wildlife requires equally strategic attention. National recovery programmes should be developed not only for the Asian elephant and Bengal tiger but also for the Ganges river dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphin, gharial, freshwater turtles, vultures, great hornbills and other nationally threatened species.

Effective conservation requires science-based recovery plans supported by continuous monitoring, research and adaptive management.

Managing human–wildlife conflict

Human–wildlife conflict remains one of Bangladesh's most pressing conservation challenges. Rather than responding only after conflicts occur, the Commission should recommend a comprehensive national strategy encompassing prevention, early warning systems, habitat restoration, community participation, compensation mechanisms, insurance schemes and specialised conflict response teams.

Such an integrated approach would benefit both wildlife and local communities.

Improving wildlife rescue and combating wildlife crime

Bangladesh also needs nationally accepted standards for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and post-release monitoring, supported by qualified wildlife veterinarians and modern rescue facilities.

At the same time, wildlife crime demands stronger institutional capacity through improved intelligence gathering, wildlife forensics, border surveillance and more effective implementation of international agreements such as CITES.

Putting science at the heart of conservation

Science should remain the foundation of future conservation planning. The Commission should recommend establishing a national biodiversity monitoring system integrating camera trapping, satellite telemetry, genetic analysis, citizen science and a centralised wildlife database to support evidence-based decision-making.

Preparing for climate change

No long-term conservation strategy can ignore the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, salinity intrusion and extreme weather events are already affecting Bangladesh's forests, wetlands and coastal ecosystems.

The Commission should therefore recommend adaptation strategies that strengthen ecosystem resilience while safeguarding vulnerable wildlife populations.

Investing in conservation

Effective conservation depends upon sustainable financing and skilled human resources. The Commission should explore innovative financing mechanisms, including a National Wildlife Conservation Fund, biodiversity offsets, ecotourism revenue and international conservation partnerships. It should also assess existing manpower shortages and recommend investment in wildlife biologists, veterinarians, ecologists, GIS specialists, wildlife crime investigators and community outreach professionals.

Building a conservation culture

Wildlife conservation cannot succeed without public participation. A nationwide education and awareness programme involving schools, universities, local communities, religious leaders and the media would help foster a culture of coexistence between people and wildlife while promoting greater appreciation of Bangladesh's extraordinary natural heritage.

Meeting Bangladesh's global commitments

Finally, the Commission should review Bangladesh's obligations under international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Ramsar Convention and the World Heritage Convention.

Its recommendations should include legislative, institutional and administrative reforms necessary to modernise wildlife conservation while ensuring Bangladesh fulfils its international commitments.

From a commission to a lasting legacy

The formation of the Wildlife Commission is an encouraging beginning. Its true success, however, will depend not simply on the recommendations it makes, but on the breadth of its vision. If empowered with a broader mandate, the Commission can produce a landmark blueprint that transforms wildlife governance in Bangladesh for generations to come. 

If its role remains confined to addressing only a limited number of immediate issues, the country risks missing a rare opportunity to build a resilient, science-based and future-oriented system for conserving its extraordinary wildlife and biodiversity. 

The Commission has been created by a notification. With vision, foresight and political commitment, it now has the opportunity to go far beyond the notification, leaving behind not merely a report, but a lasting national legacy for Bangladesh's wildlife and future generations.

Reza Khan is a wildlife, zoo and safari park management and conservation specialist.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.