Bangladesh, France Launch Joint Initiative to Restore Sundarbans

Bangladesh today launched the Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS), a major programme aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the Sundarbans.

The project will be implemented in the world’s largest mangrove forest with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD). It is being carried out by IUCN Bangladesh under the leadership of the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, marking AFD’s first direct investment in biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh.

The launch ceremony in Dhaka included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BFD and IUCN Bangladesh, followed by a grant financing agreement between AFD and IUCN. The EUR 3 million grant establishes the foundation for a long-term partnership on conservation and climate action.

Home to globally significant wildlife and acting as a natural barrier for more than six million coastal residents, the Sundarbans faces increasing threats from human pressures and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The CRIS project seeks to address these challenges through an integrated, science-driven approach focused on conservation, restoration and community resilience.

Project activities will be carried out by IUCN Bangladesh in close collaboration with BFD, with AFD serving as the development partner. The initiative aims to strengthen long-term conservation and sustainable management of the mangrove ecosystem while empowering local communities through participatory restoration efforts.

AFD Deputy Country Director in Bangladesh, Cecilia Cortese, reaffirmed France’s commitment to climate action, biodiversity protection and community resilience. “This partnership reflects our shared responsibility to protect the Sundarbans, a vital shield for millions and a sanctuary for irreplaceable wildlife,” she said.

Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury highlighted the government’s leadership in safeguarding the mangrove forest. “The Government of Bangladesh is committed to protecting the Sundarbans in line with national and international goals. This project will help us restore degraded areas and work more closely with communities,” he noted.

IUCN Bangladesh Country Representative Bipasha Hossain stressed the importance of using scientific evidence alongside traditional knowledge. “The Sundarbans is a fragile ecosystem and a lifeline for millions. Through CRIS, we aim to bring science, community experience and local wisdom together,” she said.

Under the CRIS project, IUCN Bangladesh will conduct climate-risk assessments, hydrological studies, socio-economic research, faunal surveys and community-based ecological restoration. The initiative also includes knowledge-sharing activities, youth engagement and upgrades to the Sundarbans Interpretation Centre at Karamjal to enhance public awareness.

The project aligns with Bangladesh’s National Conservation Strategy, National Adaptation Plan, Delta Plan 2100 and the Bangladesh Climate Change and Gender Action Plan. It also supports global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, strengthening Bangladesh’s position as a leader in nature-based solutions.

Through integrated restoration, improved climate resilience, enhanced biodiversity protection and inclusive community participation, the CRIS project aims to reinforce Bangladesh’s long-term vision for a sustainable and thriving Sundarbans.