BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that over the past decade and a half, citizens have been deprived of their democratic and political rights, which has fostered a sense of intolerance among many. Speaking virtually on Saturday (September 13) at an exhibition titled “Bonding of Life and Living Beings” at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association, he urged people to overcome intolerance and embrace humanity.“Let us commit ourselves to abandon savagery and embrace humanity by cultivating human values,” he said.
Tarique Rahman stressed that when people show compassion towards animals and ensure their safe habitats, it reflects the maturity of human society and higher moral standards. “Just as democracy is essential for ensuring people’s rights, a balanced ecosystem is vital for the survival of wildlife and biodiversity. Therefore, if democracy and integrity prevail in state governance, the ecosystem remains safe,” he added.
He also called for the slogan: “Save lives, protect animals, let the country be a safe haven for all living beings.”
Highlighting the ecological importance of animals, Rahman pointed out that frogs naturally control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes by eating their larvae. “This is a natural way of prevention. To control this menace, we need to ensure safe habitats for frogs, especially in cities,” he said.
Quoting international surveys, Tarique Rahman noted that Bangladesh once had over 1,600 animal species, of which around 300 are now on the verge of extinction. He reminded that in the 1980s, the Sundarbans housed more than 400 tigers, a number that has now dwindled to around 100. Elephant populations too have dropped below 200.
He further said that although Bangladesh has several laws related to animal and environmental protection—including the Animal Welfare Act 2019, Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, Biodiversity Protection Act, Environmental Development Act, Environmental Conservation Act, and the Climate Change Trust Act—many of them need reform. “If BNP is entrusted with state power by the people, we will update and modernize these laws to ensure the safety of wildlife and the ecosystem,” he pledged.
The event was presided over by film actor and Animal Welfare Association Convener Adnan Azad. Other speakers included BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Chairperson’s Advisor and Jugantor Editor Abdul Hai Shikder, BNP Treasurer Rashiduzzaman Millat, BNP Assistant Secretary for Local Government Shammi Akhtar, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Professor Dr. Abdul Latif, Jahangirnagar University Zoology Professor Dr. Monowar Hossain Tuhin, former Bangladesh national cricket captain Tamim Iqbal Khan, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association’s chief organizer Atikur Rahman Ruman, Abul Hasan Morshed Emon, Dipanwita Ridi, actress Airin Sultana, Rahima Anzum Pushpo, and Engineer Abul Hanif, among others.
Distinguished guests in attendance included businessman Abik Iskander, former BNP Dhaka North president S M Jahangir, BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Amra BNP Poribar advisor Md. Abul Kashem, Engineer Mostafa-e-Jaman Selim, Member-Secretary Agriculturist Mokshedul Momin Mithun, members Masud Rana Liton, Shakil Ahmed, Forhad Ali Sojib, Shahadat Hossain, cricketer Shafiul Alam, BWEA Senior Joint Convener Bappi Khan, BWEA Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Nishat Tamanna Zaman, Engineer Abu Hanif, and Dr. Atikur Rahman Mithu.