UOWD team raises awareness on International Forest Day 2014
Tuesday, 25 March, 2014
University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) Instructor, Ms Zeenath Reza Khan, was invited by the Bangladeshi community, under the patronage of the NRB Khulna Group, to conduct a workshop on the importance of forests world-wide, on the occasion of the UN’s International Day of Forests, 2014.The workshop, held in a unique outdoor setting, was conducted in the presence of HE Masudur Rahman, the Bangladesh Consulate General of Dubai, alongside other dignitaries. It covered the concept of eco-systems and the importance of forests, focusing primarily on Bangladesh’s Shundorbon (Sundarban Forest). The Forest, which houses the World’s largest mangrove eco-system, was declared by the UN in 1997 as a World Heritage Site and gained Ramsar Wetland status in 1992.“Besides housing a variety of exotic wildlife and flora that are crucial to the eco-system of the country, mangrove forests have the capacity to absorb 30-40% of a tsunami or typhoon’s force,” said Ms Khan, who is teaching Environmental Science at the University this semester. “This makes Shundorbons very critical to the survival of villages and towns surrounding the forest.”Ms Khan was also accompanied by members of UOWD’s Amra Notun Bangladesh Expat Student Association (BESA), including Fairuz and Mohaimeen who joined in the talk, shedding light on some serious threats to forests, including over-poaching, hunting for skin, food, horns and cutting down trees for space and logs.After receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, award-winning environmentalist and wildlife expert, Dr Reza Khan spoke about the importance of introducing sustainable systems that would benefit both the forests and the human habitats.This was the second time Ms Khan and her team were invited back to give a presentation on the importance of forests to the community. The workshop ended with a short on-the-spot quiz for the children attending.The workshop was part of a day-long program organised by the NRB Khulna Group, which has been actively working towards raising awareness among the expat community about the environment and forestry.The Honourable Consul General of Bangladesh and the Commercial Counsellor Dr Mahmud ur Rahman both appreciated the UOWD team’s continued efforts in increasing awareness towards the threats to such forests, particularly in Bangladesh.“Khulna is the district in Bangladesh that has the privilege of being the home of Shundorbons. This is why we took the initiative to begin an awareness program here,” said Mr Mohammad Moinul Islam, senior member of the NRB Khulna Group. “As Ms Khan and her students are very active in their role and goodwill towards the environment, our group and audience were highly appreciative of their session.”
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