The government is preparing to launch a new project that will combine technology and forest conservation to boost coastal resilience. The four-year initiative is due to begin in May 2025 and run through April 2029, backed by JICA in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Bangladesh Forest Department. Under this collaboration, Japanese experts will work alongside local forestry officials at both headquarters and field levels. The main goal is to restore coastal forests and strengthen ecosystem health in areas vulnerable to climate change, including mangrove regions affected by cyclones and saltwater intrusion. The project will bring advanced technology into forest planning and monitoring. For example, it will introduce modern data tools for mapping forest landscapes, tracking changes over time, and improving restoration efforts. This marks the first-ever forestry sector initiative between JICA and Bangladesh and will focus heavily on technology-based forest management. At the official signing ceremony held in Dhaka in early January 2025, senior representatives from JICA, the Economic Relations Division, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Forest Department formalised the agreement. Parties involved emphasised the importance of community engagement, technology transfer, and sustainable forest restoration in the country’s coastal belt. According to official statements, only about 14 percent of Bangladesh’s land is currently forested, posing challenges to climate resilience and disaster risk management. Coastal degradation, intensified by sea level rise and frequent storms, has further threatened fragile mangrove ecosystems. Through this project, the Forest Department aims to improve planning and monitoring capacities, invest in reforestation, and help local communities adopt sustainable forest management practices. The project is likely to provide many advantages. Healthier coastal forests will serve as natural buffers against storms, protect biodiversity, and support livelihoods in coastal communities. Technology-led forest planning may also open doors for future innovation in forestry management across the country. Officials highlighted that the project will contribute to climate change mitigation and help strengthen disaster risk reduction strategies. Looking ahead, the success of the project will depend on smooth coordination between government agencies, capacity-building of forestry staff, and effective use of digital tools. Experts are optimistic that by blending modern technology with proven restoration methods, this initiative could set a model for future forest conservation efforts in Bangladesh’s vulnerable zones.
