The Bangladesh government is considering reviving a US $70 million biodiversity project in the country. Efforts are on to increase conservation efforts at various places, including Sundarbans, St Martin Island and Cox's Bazar, forest and environment minister Tariqul Islam announced recently. The government is also undertaking a mega programme of afforestation and protection of forests from the salinity caused by withdrawal of river water in the upper riparian.

The minister expressed concern about the destruction of forest and wildlife in the Sundarbans. He said the meat and hide of deers and tigers were being sold openly. Admitting that legal action wouldn't be enough to check such crime, he said the government would introduce micro-credit schemes to help income-generation and discourage people from destroying wildlife and forests. Less than two per cent of the country's forest area is protected.