An exhibition on dolphins and whales is being held at 14 coastal villages to educate people about the species of cetaceans and to introduce effective efforts to conserve these animals.
Titled “Shushuk Mela”, the interactive, touring exhibition features the diversity of cetaceans (the scientific grouping of dolphins, whales and porpoises) living in the rivers, estuaries and deep-sea waters of Bangladesh, says a press release.
US-based organisation, Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project, is arranging the event. The exhibition that started yesterday will continue till March 6, visiting the villages along the Sundarbans mangrove forest.
The programme aims to raise public awareness about the threatened dolphins and whales in Bangladesh through featuring life-size models, photographs, games and information panels.
It will travel in a boat, highlighting the fact that Bangladesh is a global “hotspot” for cetaceans.
It will also highlight three new Wildlife Sanctuaries that were declared in January 2012 by the government for threatened Ganges River Dolphins (Shushuk) and Irrawaddy Dolphins (Iraboti) in the Sundarbans.
The exhibition is specifically targeting the fishing communities in the mangrove forest, engaging them in discussions about efforts to conserve these animals.
At the opening ceremony at Mongla, Prof Benazir Ahmed of the zoology department, Chittagong University, welcomed guests and compared the Shushuk with the Bengal tiger, stating that it was a source of pride for Bangladesh.
Later, the exhibition will be held at Bagerhat, Morelganj, Rayenda, Sharonkhola, Tushkhali, Amragachhia, Chorduani, Chandpai, Chila, Ghagramari (Laudub), Dakop, Podderganj and Batiaghata.
-With The Daily Star input
