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Environment, Forest and Climate Changes Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Sunday announced rewards for information about dolphin killers.
“Those who will provide the Forest Department with the information of Dolphin killers, they will be rewarded,” he said while addressing a discussion in the city.
The Forest Department organised the discussion marking the International Freshwater Dolphin Day 2021.
READ: Govt finalizes the "Dolphin Conservation Action Plan"
The minister said the government is very sincere in protecting dolphins. But some people killed dolphins intentionally for various reasons including collection of its oil.
Mentioning the government’s measures to protect dolphins, he said seven teams were formed to conserve the dolphin in the Sundarbans. Such conservation teams will also be formed for other areas.
Besides, fishermen will be trained to conserve dolphins, he said.
The minister said the government has so far announced nine dolphin sanctuaries. Another dolphin sanctuary will be created, he added.
Dolphin Action Plan and Dolphin Atlas have been prepared, he said, adding that a plan was also taken to assess the number of Dolphins in Halda River and manage these.
The government incorporated a punitive provision of the maximum five-year jail or highest Tk 5 lakh fine for repeated killings of dolphins in the Wildlife (Conservation and Security( Act, he mentioned.
READ: Another dead dolphin found in Halda River
Deputy Minister for Environment Habibun Nahar and Environment Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal, among others, addressed the discussion presided over by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, said a PID handout.