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DHAKA, June 17, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today stressed the need to view land not merely as a means of production but as the foundation of human existence, saying healthy land is indispensable for food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable development.

"Without healthy land, food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable development cannot be achieved," he told a workshop as the chief guest at the Department of Environment (DoE) office in the capital, marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026.

The minister said the observance is not just an international occasion but a reminder of humanity's responsibility towards land, environment, food security, livelihoods and future generations.

Referring to this year's theme, "Rangelands: Recognize, Respect, Restore," he said it highlights the importance of conserving and restoring grazing lands and natural grasslands around the world.

Mintoo noted that nearly half of the world's land surface comprises some form of rangeland ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of billions of people, maintaining food systems, conserving biodiversity, regulating water cycles and storing carbon.

He said that although Bangladesh is not a desert country, it remains vulnerable to desertification, land degradation and drought.

The adverse impacts of climate change, unplanned land use, declining soil fertility, increasing salinity, river erosion, deforestation and prolonged dry seasons are heightening the risk of land degradation in different parts of the country, he added.

Expressing concern over drought-prone areas in the northwestern region, saline-affected coastal lands, degraded hilly terrain and fragile river basin ecosystems, the minister said these areas require special attention and sustainable management.

Citing research findings, he said the area affected by moderate to very severe land degradation in Bangladesh increased from 10.70 million hectares in 2000 to 11.24 million hectares in 2020.

"This means that, on average, around 27,000 hectares of land have been degraded annually over the past two decades," he said.

The minister also noted that the extent of drought-prone areas rose from 1.43 million hectares to 1.54 million hectares during the same period, accounting for nearly 10.4 percent of the country's total land area.

He said climate change-induced irregular rainfall, prolonged dry spells, excessive rainfall, flash floods, cyclones and sea-level rise are exerting multidimensional impacts on land and water resources.

In particular, drought conditions in the Barindra region and other parts of northwestern Bangladesh are creating long-term adverse effects on agricultural production, water resources and livelihoods, he added.

Highlighting Bangladesh's international commitments, Mintoo said the country signed and ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994 and has since been working consistently to implement its obligations.

Among the government's major initiatives are social forestry, coastal greenbelt programmes, sustainable agriculture, integrated soil fertility management, the use of organic fertilisers, conservation agriculture and the expansion of climate-resilient crop varieties, he said.

The minister added that Bangladesh has achieved notable success in drought management in the Barindra region through water conservation, efficient irrigation technologies, rainwater harvesting and improved groundwater management.

Emphasising the importance of global cooperation, he called on the international community to provide greater financial support, technology transfer, capacity-building assistance and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

He also urged development partners, international financial institutions and relevant United Nations agencies to increase investments in land restoration, drought mitigation and nature-based solutions.

On the occasion, the government reiterated its commitment to strengthening efforts to achieve land degradation neutrality through the restoration of degraded forests, wetlands, char lands and other ecosystems, enhancing early warning systems for droughts and expanding the use of information technology in science-based land management.

Chaired by DoE Director General Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman, it was also attended by Additional Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Fahmida Khanam, senior officials from various ministries and agencies, representatives of development partners and UN organisations, researchers, academics and environmentalists.