Guwahati: Bangladesh will soon initiate discussions with India to establish a cross-border corridor for wild elephants stranded in Sherpur district, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said on Saturday.
According to the minister, around 130 to 135 wild elephants that crossed from Meghalaya into the Garo Hills of Sherpur have been unable to return to their natural habitat because of border fencing.
Mintoo said the government would approach Indian authorities under an existing protocol and request the opening of gates in the fencing to facilitate the elephants’ return. He acknowledged that previous requests had not received a favourable response.
Alongside diplomatic efforts, the Bangladesh government plans to develop forest areas in Sherpur as safe habitats for the elephants, the minister added.
Mintoo made the remarks while addressing a discussion on mitigating human-elephant conflict and conserving wild elephants at Madhutila Eco Park in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur.
He said the natural beauty of the Garo Hills, its elephant population and the surrounding environment could help transform the region into a tourism destination. Such efforts, he added, could generate economic opportunities for local communities while supporting elephant conservation and reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.
The discussion was organised by the Sherpur district administration and the Mymensingh Forest Division. It was attended by lawmakers representing elephant-affected areas, members of Elephant Response Teams (ERTs), journalists and volunteers involved in elephant conservation.
Deputy Commissioner Farida Yesmin chaired the programme.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Sherpur-2 lawmaker Engineer Fahim Chowdhury; Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury; Conservator of Forests for the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Region Md Sanaullah Patwari; Central Region Conservator of Forests A S M Zahir Uddin Akon; Mymensingh Divisional Forest Officer Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim; and Police Superintendent A K M Johirul Islam.
The proposed corridor is intended to improve cross-border elephant movement and provide a long-term solution for the animals stranded in Sherpur, while supporting efforts to protect their habitat and address human-elephant conflict.