Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), a platform to protect environment, and Bangladesh Environment Network (Ben), an organisation of Expatriate Bangladeshi, will organise the conference titled 'Indigenous people and environment of Bangladesh' at the Institute of Engineers.

This was stated at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Bapa Vice-president and Convener of the conference organising committee Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed delivered the keynote speech at the press conference.

He laid emphasis on preserving the interest of indigenous people in order to protect the environment of Bangladesh.

The conference aims at observing the interrelation between preserving the interest of indigenous people and the biodiversity of Bangladesh, he added.

The Joint Convener of the conference organising committee Prof Khondkar Mokaddem Hossain said natural environment and habitat of the indigenous people should be considered with great importance as the community has been taking care of the forest and hill areas of the country for long.

Bangladesh can utilise its environmental and anthropological diversity to conserve both the environment and the indigenous people, said member-secretary of the conference organising committee Mohidul Huq Khan.

Referring to present miserable condition of indigenous people and their surrounding environment Bapa General Secretary Dr Md Abdul Matin said the conference will help reach a national consensus to protect the rights of indigenous community.