Enayetullah Khan of UNB has been made the chairman of the trust formed on September 24. Professor M Anwarul Islam of the Department of Zoology, Dhaka University, will act as its chief executive.

The other members of the trust are Dr Noazesh Ahmed, Prof. M Harunur Rashid, Enam-ul Haque, Phillip Gain and Barrister Ishrat Mahmud, said a press release.

The trust has been established in response to the urgent and growing need to conserve the rich natural resource base of the country amid unsustainable development.

The mission of the trust is to promote conservation of natural biodiversity with special thrust on threatened wildlife and their habitats, and to encourage sustainable and efficient management of natural resources.

It seeks cooperation through partnerships with various stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs, educational and research institutions, youth, women and government agencies.

The trust will try and tackle local and regional environment related issues. It will also focus on conservation education, capacity building and extension through its Threatened Species Conservation Unit, Natural Resources Management Unit, Wildlife Health Unit, Habitat Restoration Unit and Capacity Building and Extension Unit.