On 11 November 2024, Bangladesh launched its first ‘Plant Red List of Bangladesh’. This list includes 1,000 plant species, assessed to create a comprehensive Red List of plants in Bangladesh, following the Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This is the result of tremendous efforts of around 100 scientists, academics and four renowned professors who served as lead assessors over the past four years.
Under a project titled ‘Developing Bangladesh National Red List of Plants and Developing Management Strategy of Invasive Alien Species of Plants in Selected Protected Areas’, IUCN Bangladesh provided technical support to the Forest Department and the Bangladesh National Herbarium. The initiative was part of the Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods (SUFAL) project, funded by the World Bank.
The launch event was graced by the Chief Guest, Honourable Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In her address, she emphasised the Red List as a critical tool for the sustainable management of Bangladesh’s natural resources and for safeguarding the country’s unique ecological heritage. She underscored the government’s commitment to preserving biodiversity for future generations.
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Mr Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Department; Mr A S M Humayun Kabir, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Director of the Bangladesh National Herbarium; and Dr Istiak Sobhan, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. Mr ABM Sarowar Alam, Red List Coordinator and Programme Manager at IUCN Bangladesh, delivered an overview of the project’s objectives and its vital contributions to conservation in Bangladesh.
This Red List provides essential information on 1,000 plant species in Bangladesh. Of these, 395 are considered threatened, with five species marked as Critically Endangered, 127 as Endangered and 263 as Vulnerable. The list also notes one species as Extinct in the Wild and seven species as Regionally Extinct.
This information will help guide conservation efforts to protect the threatened plants and support the country’s commitment to biodiversity under the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Target 15.5 on reducing the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
Another component of the project focused on invasive plant species that threaten local ecosystems. Strategic management plans have been developed for such species, identifying 17 invasive plants in five protected areas, including Himchari National Park, Kaptai National Park, Madhupur National Park, Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary and Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary. While a total of 44 plant species had been initially recorded from these five protected areas as exotic species, 17 of these species were identified as invasive alien species and assessed for their environmental impact using the IUCN EICAT (Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa) Categories and Criteria. Seven species were found to have a major environmental impact, posing a significant threat to local ecosystems. Invasive plants such as Chromolaena odorata (Assam Lata) and Mikania scandens (Assam Lata) compete with native plants and disrupt habitats, endangering native biodiversity.
The Plant Red List serves as a roadmap for conservation, providing a foundation for further research, planning and policies. It highlights the areas that need the most attention and supports Bangladesh’s journey to protect its rich biodiversity. This project reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to environmental conservation. Bangladesh is building a legacy of environmental care and stewardship by involving youth, local communities, the government and international partners. By creating awareness, we can ensure that future generations inherit a vibrant, healthy environment.
