International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May 2014 - Islands and Biodiversity

Bangladesh

Bangladesh

  The IDB2014 logo is available in Bengali


  Island of Saint Martin, Chittagong coast, 16 May 2014
Save Our Sea (SOS) is a pro-active marine conservation group active in mainly coastal areas and islands in the Bay of Bengal. Since 2011 we are documenting the underwater biodiversity of Bay of Bengal and organizing programmes such as underwater photo and documentary exhibition, and underwater cleanups.

The Island of Saint Martin’s is situated off the Chittagong coast. It is a unique marine geological feature of Bangladesh, an island with huge coral community filled with a huge diversity of life. The biodiversity of Saint Martin's Island is under a number of man-made threats. Stability of the marine habitats here is declining, coral reefs are losing species.

Given this endangered situation of Island biodiversity here, we are organizing a week-long awareness campaign. Starting from 16th May we are organizing seven round-table meetings with stakeholders, including local Islanders and Businessmen from the tourism industry, which is negatively affecting the Island's biodiversity.

Photo Exhibition & Daily Discussions, 20-22 May 2-14, Dhaka
A three-day long (20-22 May) underwater photo exhibition takes place at the capital Dhaka's popular civic gathering center 'Biswa Sahitya Kendra' (Center of World Literature). Moreover, daily discussion meetings with students from marine science related disciplines will be held at the center.

  Save Our Sea on facebook


  New Marine Protected Area
Bangladesh proposed a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Bay of Bengal, with an area of 1738 square kilometers, one of the largest population of Dolphins and Whales. See the photo taken on the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity by the Forest Department.


  ICIMOD
ICIMOD has been celebrating this important day each year with a number of activities, here are this year's activities.