Activity Updates

Strengthening Conservation and Community Development: Arannayk Foundation Hosts Workshop in Alikadam, Bandarban

On March 16, 2025, the Arannayk Foundation, under the IUCN PPG activity (ITHCP-Phase IV), successfully hosted a pivotal workshop at Alikadam Upazila, Bandarban. As part of the full proposal preparation under the ITHCP Phase IV program, the Arannayk Foundation and Creative Conservation Alliance jointly organized this event to disseminate and validate the findings of the baseline survey conducted over the past two months in the proposed project area.

Chaired by Mohammad Abdullah Al Momin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Alikadam, the workshop brought together a distinguished panel of guests. Special Guest Md. Sohel Rana, Upazila Agriculture Officer, along with representatives from government and non-government agencies, elected officials, Indigenous community leaders, local elites, and media personnel, actively participated in the discussions.

The workshop provided a platform for both individual and group discussions, focusing on key aspects of wildlife habitat conservation and the integration of forest-dependent communities into sustainable forest management. Participants explored strategies to enhance socio-economic opportunities while ensuring the long-term protection of biodiversity.

Chief Guest Mohammad Abdullah Al Momin expressed his strong support for the project, assuring full cooperation from the Upazila Parishad in advancing conservation efforts. Special Guest Md. Sohel Rana emphasized the importance of sensitization and socio-economic development for Indigenous communities. He urged implementing organizations to collaborate closely with the Forest Department to engage local and Indigenous people in wildlife habitat protection initiatives.

The event reaffirmed Arannayk Foundation’s commitment to fostering collaboration and driving impactful conservation efforts. By bringing together key stakeholders, we continue to work towards a greener, more sustainable future where conservation and community development go hand in hand.

 

Empowering Communities for Conservation: Arannayk Foundation Hosts Workshop on Socio-Economic Development & Wildlife Habitat Conservation

On March 6, 2025, the Arannayk Foundation, under the IUCN PPG activity (ITHCP-Phase IV) and with support from Hill Flower, successfully hosted a pivotal workshop at the Rangamati Hill District Council. The event served as a platform for key stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on wildlife habitat conservation and sustainable socio-economic development.

Mr. Baktiar Nur Siddiqui, Biodiversity Conservation Specialist at Arannayk Foundation, presented insights from the baseline survey conducted over the past two months in the proposed project area. His findings are integral to the full proposal preparation under the ITHCP Phase IV program, setting the foundation for future conservation initiatives.

Chaired by Mohammad Abdul Awal Sarker, Conservator of Forests (Rangamati Circle), the workshop brought together a distinguished panel of participants. Agriculturist Kazal Talukdar, Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, attended as the Chief Guest, alongside representatives from government and non-government agencies, elected officials, Indigenous community leaders, local elites, and media personnel.

The discussions, held in both individual and group settings, revolved around the critical intersection of wildlife habitat conservation and community livelihoods. Participants explored strategies to integrate forest-dependent communities into sustainable forest management practices while enhancing economic opportunities.

Chairperson Mohammad Abdul Awal Sarker underscored the vital role of community engagement in forest conservation efforts, emphasizing that sustainable solutions can only be achieved through active local participation. Chief Guest Kazal Talukdar extended his best wishes for the project's success, recognizing its potential impact on both biodiversity and community well-being. Additionally, Sadhuram Tripura, Member of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC), reaffirmed the council’s full support in advancing conservation efforts in the region.

The workshop reaffirmed Arannayk Foundation’s commitment to fostering collaboration and driving impactful conservation efforts. By uniting key stakeholders, we continue to work towards a greener, more sustainable future—one where conservation and community development go hand in hand.

๐€๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ง๐š๐ฒ๐ค ๐‘๐ž๐œ๐ž๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐„๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐€๐ฐ๐š๐ซ๐!

We're extremely thrilled and honored to share that the Arannayk Foundation has been bestowed with the National Environment Award 2023 in the Institutional Category (Environmental Education and Awareness).
Today, Honorable Prime Minister H.E Sheikh Hasina, MP handed over this prestigious award to our Executive Director Mr. Rakibul Hasan Mukul at the inaugural ceremony of the “World Environment Day & National Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 and Environment Fair & Tree Fair 2024” at Bangabandhu International Convention Center, Dhaka.


From our passionate team to our supportive community, this recognition reflects our collective commitment to making an impact to address the emerging climate crisis and that of environmental education and awareness among the mass population in the country.


This award not only inspires us to continue our mission but also fuels our determination to amplify our impact further.

We gratefully recognize the contribution of all our partners, donors, the communities we are working with, and the Government of Bangladesh for the support, contributions, and inspiration that helped us achieve this honor, thank you all! Let's keep working hand in hand to protect our planet, and shape a brighter and sustainable future. Your every effort counts!


๐“๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž: ๐‡๐š๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ซ๐ž๐š๐œ๐ก๐ž๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ข๐ซ ๐ง๐ž๐ฐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐ž!

 
Our sea turtle hatchery welcomed a second batch of olive ridley hatchlings! All the 345 precious newborns have safely journeyed to their new home in the Bay of Bengal.
Thanks to the UNDP for supporting the “Ecosystem Awareness and Restoration Through Harmony (EARTH)” project under the GEF-Small Grant Facilities for safeguarding globally threatened sea turtles.

Arannayk, under USAID Ecosystem/Protibesh Activities celebrates Co-Management Day

On 23 March 2024 Arannayk Foundation with support from the USAID Protibesh/Ecosystem Activities, being managed by Chemonics Inc, celebrated “Co-Management Day 2024” at a city hotel, to honor the sacrifice by all the community members who sacrificed their lives to conserve the forests of Bangladesh.
“Co-Management” which integrates the local community with the Forest Department as a protected area management approach, was introduced in 2003. Today, the participants of the event discussed the “Co-Management Successes and Way Forward” to conserve the forest and biodiversity of the protected areas of the country.
We bid special thanks to Mr. Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, for gracing the event as the Chief Guest, and convey our heartiest felicitation to the officials of the Bangladesh Forest Department and the Department of Environment, the COP and other staff members of USAID Protibesh/Ecosystem Activity, the Delegates from the USAID Bangladesh, and the Co-Management Network Leaders from across the country, for their lively participation and interaction towards weaving a way forward for more impactful Co-Management practices in the future.
 

Arannayk celebrates International Day of Forests 2024 jointly with Bangladesh Forest Department

On March 21, at Ban Bhaban, the Arannayk Foundation showcased its array of publications focusing on forest conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihood practices. Moreover, the Foundation actively engaged in a discussion meeting orchestrated by the Bangladesh Forest Department.
Hon’ble Minister for the MoEFCC, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, graced the event as the Chief Guest with the Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, and Additional Secretary Mr. Iqbal Abdullah Harun as Special Guests.
During the discussion meeting, Dr. A. Z. M. Manzoor Rashid, Chairperson of the Arannayk Board of Directors and Professor at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, delivered a thought-provoking thematic presentation. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury chaired the discussion. After the discussion meeting, the Hon’ble Minister visited the Arannayk Foundation’s stall and other distinguished guests accompanied by the Arannayk Foundation's Executive Director Rakibul Hasan Mukul.
This year, the International Day of Forests is observed with the theme “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World.”