Youth leaders and environmental experts urge collective action to protect biodiversity climate resilience and sustainable farming in Barind. Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a meeting unequivocally called for an integrated effort of all the government, non-government and volunteer youth organizations concerned to protect life, nature and biodiversity.

Unplanned industrialization and infrastructure development and grabbing of arable lands have been posing a serious threat to the agriculture, biodiversity and food security in the region, particularly the Barind region. 

The experts made the observations in the annual general meeting of Barendra Youth Forum (BYF), consisting of around 46 youth organizations, at SK Food World Restaurant in the city on Sunday afternoon.

Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) actively involved in organizing various meetings and events focusing on life and nature protection, supported the event.

A 13-member BYF new executive committee was formed, with Atikur Rahman as president and Poly Rani Pramanik as its general secretary. 

Prof Bidhan Chandra Das, who retired from the Department of Zoology at Rajshahi University addressed the meeting as a focal person disseminating his expertise on the issue.

BARCIK Regional Coordinator Shahidul Islam, cultural activist Waliur Rahman Babu and BYF leaders Atikur Rahman Sohel Hossain, Salman Farsy, Poly Rani Pramanik and Mukhlesur Rahman also spoke.
 
Prof Bidhan Chandra Das called for addressing the threat of climate change to livelihoods besides emphasizing the need for renewable energy sources and sustainable water management.

He also focused on raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment, including rivers, soil, and even human health. 

Utmost emphasis should be given to supporting farmers to adopt organic farming practices, promoting safe vegetable cultivation and highlighting its benefits for both health and income. 

Community participation, including organizing dialogues, rallies, and tree plantation events has become an urgent need to foster a sense of responsibility towards nature. 

In his remarks, Shahidul Islam said school, college and university-level students need proper knowledge about the importance of biodiversity, natural resource conservation and climate change issues so that they can contribute to this field.