Experts, conservationists and stakeholders have called for stronger implementation and necessary updating of existing laws and policies to protect Bangladesh’s wild elephants, their habitats and migration corridors, while ensuring better welfare and rehabilitation of captive elephants.

The call came at a discussion titled “Elephant Protection: Existing Challenges and the Way Forward” held on Saturday at the Shailaprapat Auditorium of the Tourism Bhaban in Agargaon.

 The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), IUCN Bangladesh, Creative Conservation Alliance, Obhoyaronno and the Deep Ecology and Snake Conservation Foundation jointly organized the event.

Dr Mohammad Ali Reza Khan said Bangladesh’s elephant population has declined over the years and currently stands at around 457. He stressed that tree plantation alone cannot ensure elephant conservation; functional forests and healthy ecosystems are essential.

He called for protection of elephant habitats and corridors, recovery of khas and forest lands, and rewilding of suitable elephants. He also proposed a national integrated elephant recovery programme involving experts in veterinary science, environmental science, behavioural and social sciences, and genetics.

A.S.M. Zahir Uddin Akand, Conservator of Forests (Central Region) and project director of the Elephant Conservation Project, said the government project has undertaken afforestation on 350 hectares, bamboo plantation on 50 hectares, nearly 10 kilometres of bio-fencing and construction of 21 water reservoirs. Tree towers, sensor alarms and cameras are also being used to monitor elephant movements, while two rescue centres are planned at Gazipur and Dulahazara Safari Parks.

He identified limited funding, shortages of skilled personnel and increasing human-elephant conflict as major challenges.

Creative Conservation Alliance Governance Specialist Abrar Ahmed said around 100 elephants live in Sherpur, where food shortages during the dry season intensify conflict. He suggested AI-enabled cameras and early-warning systems, along with stronger public-private partnerships and community participation.

IUCN’s Dipu Ahmed said securing at least 10 elephant corridors, ranging from two to 10 kilometres, could help reduce human-elephant conflict.

Rubaiya Ahmad, founder and chairperson of Obhoyaronno, said rescuing elephants and keeping them in captivity does not constitute genuine rehabilitation. She called for regular assessments of the health and quality of life of elephants at the Gazipur and Dulahazara Safari Parks and better training for safari park mahouts.

Participants also called for protecting the Someshwari River and surrounding hills as an elephant corridor, considering Bhabanipur’s declining hills for elephant sanctuary status, strengthening Elephant Response Teams (ERTs), and securing at least four border-area corridors.

Swedish Embassy Second Secretary Tomas Wärnlund Rylenius stressed coordinated efforts to address funding gaps and suggested linking elephant conservation with ecotourism.

BELA Chief Executive Rizwana Hasan said the organization was ready to work with government agencies and called for clear policies on ecotourism and the release or rewilding of captive elephants.