At a two-day Sundarbans Summit held in Khulna on May 22, 2026, experts and officials called for unified national and global efforts to protect the Sundarbans. The event, jointly organized by BRAC University’s C3ER, Mission Green Bangladesh, Sajida Foundation, and Swapnopuri Welfare Organization, brought together over 300 young climate activists from seven South and Southeast Asian countries. Speakers emphasized that the Sundarbans safeguard Bangladesh’s coast from climate disasters and absorb carbon emissions, but destructive activities now endanger the forest.

Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju criticized past unplanned development and coal-based power projects near the forest, urging immediate sustainable solutions. District Commissioner Hure Jannat highlighted the need for collaboration among government, NGOs, and youth to combat climate impacts. Climate scientist Dr. Ainun Nishat warned of rising salinity and frequent natural disasters threatening biodiversity, calling for science-based green innovation. Waterkeepers Bangladesh’s Sharif Jamil stressed pollution control and community monitoring.

The summit concluded with the release of the “Sundarbans Green Declaration 2026,” presented by Mission Green Bangladesh Executive Director Ahsan Rony, outlining commitments for forest conservation.

Authorities in Barguna seized around 2.3 million bagda shrimp fry worth approximately one crore taka on Friday, May 22, 2026. The operation took place in the municipal bus terminal area, where two truck drivers were detained. Acting on intelligence from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), the joint drive was conducted by the district administration and the district fisheries office to intercept the illegal transport of shrimp fry from coastal rivers in Patuakhali’s Kalapara area to Khulna.

The confiscated fry were released into the Bishkhali River at the Baraitala ferry ghat area in the presence of the district fisheries officer and an assistant commissioner. District Fisheries Officer Ziauddin Ahmed stated that similar drives had been conducted earlier, including one in Taltali where 79 drums were seized and fines imposed. In the latest operation, 227 drums containing about 2.3 million fry were recovered and released. He added that despite limited manpower, such drives will continue to curb illegal fry collection and transport.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anwar announced that a permanent embankment will be constructed along the Jamuna River in Tangail to prevent erosion. The initiative, estimated to cost around Tk 50 crore, was revealed during a views-exchange meeting held on Friday, May 22, in the Charpauli area on the riverbank.

The minister stated that river erosion along the Jamuna causes significant damage every year, affecting numerous residents. To address this, the government has undertaken a long-term plan to protect erosion-prone areas of Tangail through the construction of a permanent embankment. The project is expected to begin in the upcoming fiscal year.

Speakers at the meeting, including the State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku and Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, noted that the embankment would help save farmland, homes, and infrastructure from being lost to the river, while also contributing to local economic development.

A newly built guide wall along the Banshai River in Madhupur upazila of Tangail collapsed only 15 days after completion, raising fears that the adjacent road may also give way. The wall was constructed using cement and stone blocks under a palisading method to protect the road from river erosion. The incident occurred in Malkha village of Kuraliya Union. Locals blamed contractor corruption and poor engineering supervision for the failure.

According to project details, the 2.2-kilometer Chunia-Malkha road was approved in the 2021–2022 fiscal period with an estimated cost of about 21.4 million taka. The contract was awarded to M/s Mitu Traders of Jamalpur for nearly 19.9 million taka. After delays and the contractor’s disappearance, a sub-contractor named Lichu Mia resumed work early this year and completed it on April 30. Residents said low-quality materials were used despite their warnings.

Sub-contractor Lichu Mia attributed the collapse to untimely rainfall and water seeping under the blocks, promising repairs within days. The assistant engineer cited heavy rain as a possible cause, while the executive engineer declined comment without higher authorization.

A severe heatwave is sweeping across India’s Uttar Pradesh state, prompting the meteorological department to issue a red alert in ten districts. The affected areas include Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Bhadohi, and Jaunpur. Authorities have advised residents to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, as dangerously high temperatures are expected to persist throughout Friday.

An orange alert has been declared for 34 districts including Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, and Agra, while 17 districts such as Lucknow, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Sitapur, and Lakhimpur Kheri are under a yellow alert. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in eastern Uttar Pradesh may rise by another 2–3 degrees Celsius within the next 48 hours.

On Thursday, Banda recorded the state’s highest temperature at 47.6°C, followed by Prayagraj at 46.6°C and Varanasi (BHU) at 45.6°C. The IMD explained that yellow alerts indicate monitoring conditions, orange alerts warn of prolonged heat, and red alerts signal extreme danger to public health.

In Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj, allegations have surfaced that fertile triple-crop farmland is being illegally excavated for soil and pond digging without administrative permission. Locals have filed written complaints to the district commissioner, upazila executive officer, and agriculture officer, demanding immediate action to stop the activity. The disputed land lies beside a government road near the MR Dakhil Madrasa in Mozammarpur mouza under Chandikona Union.

Complainants stated that influential individuals are cutting and selling soil, causing waterlogging in nearby fields and endangering the adjacent government road and residential houses. Residents warned that continued excavation could damage the road, threaten homesteads, and reduce agricultural productivity, leading to financial losses for farmers and the state.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Mominul Islam said the matter would be investigated on-site and coordinated with the administration to protect the farmland. Upazila Executive Officer Abdul Khalek Patwari confirmed receiving the complaint and assured that necessary measures would follow after investigation.

A boat carrying 467 sacks of rice allocated under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program sank in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. at the Balashi Ghat area while the rice was being transported to the Erendabari Union Parishad.

According to Erendabari Union Parishad Panel Chairman Saidur Rahman, the rice sacks were loaded onto the boat for delivery to the union council, but the vessel capsized due to adverse weather conditions. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mostafizur Rahman confirmed that efforts were underway to recover the sunken rice sacks.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the extent of the loss or whether any further assistance will be required for the affected distribution program.

A research team from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has demonstrated that potato cultivation can achieve conventional yields using only half the recommended amount of urea and phosphate fertilizers. The study, led by Associate Professor Dr. Md. Azizul Haque from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, used a consortium of endophytic bacteria in field trials on the Granula potato variety. The method required no chemical pesticides, fungicides, or hormones, yet produced disease-free and high-quality potatoes.

The research found that endophytic bacteria enhanced antioxidant activity in potato leaves and roots, strengthening natural disease resistance and increasing microbial diversity in soil and plants. A participating farmer reported reduced costs and doubled profits per bigha compared to conventional methods. BRAC Microfinance, which funded the project, noted that the potatoes had stronger skins and longer natural storage life, improving marketability and food security.

According to experts, the innovation aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals on sustainable agriculture, responsible production, climate action, and ecosystem conservation. Researchers hope broader field testing will confirm its potential for other crops and promote eco-friendly, cost-effective farming across Bangladesh.

An emergency discussion meeting was held at the Kaptai Karnaphuli Range under the South Forest Division of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to address the ongoing human-elephant conflict. The meeting took place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and included members of the Elephant Response Team (ERT). Organized by the Karnaphuli Range, the session focused on elephant movement, protection, and maintaining active elephant corridors.

Officials present included Jamal Hossain Talukder, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the South Forest Division, Abu Kawsar, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Karnaphuli Range, Abu Nayeem Shahidul Alam, Range Officer, and Mostafizur Rahman, Beat Officer of Karnaphuli Sadar Beat. Staff members of the Karnaphuli Range and 20 ERT members from Teams 1 and 2 also attended.

The meeting emphasized regular attendance and duty performance by ERT members to ensure effective management of elephant movements and to reduce conflicts between humans and elephants in the region.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said that integrated spatial planning is essential to ensure planned, inclusive, and sustainable urban development amid rapid urbanization. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organized by the Urban Development Directorate at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized the need for science-based planning that balances development and environmental protection to create a safe and livable Bangladesh for future generations.

The minister noted that three ongoing projects prioritize farmland preservation, environmental protection, improved communication systems, expanded civic amenities, waterlogging prevention, disaster risk reduction, and local economic growth. These initiatives aim to build climate-resilient infrastructure, protect biodiversity, and improve citizens’ quality of life.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Monjur added that spatial planning is crucial for developing citizen-friendly and modern cities. He stressed the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the three projects presented at the seminar.

The 'Teesta Bachao Nodi Bachao Sangram Parishad' has demanded that the government implement the Teesta Master Plan with domestic funding, a one-time allocation, and a time-bound roadmap. The demand was made by the organization’s president, Nazrul Islam Hakkani, at a press conference held on Wednesday morning at a community center in Rangpur city. He emphasized that the Teesta River is vital to the agriculture, economy, environment, and livelihoods of millions in northern Bangladesh, where erosion, drought, and sudden floods have caused severe hardship.

Hakkani noted that despite an earlier announcement in January 2025 by the interim government’s water resources adviser, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, to begin work on the Teesta Master Plan, no visible progress has been made. The organization presented five demands, including a separate national budget allocation for the project, formation of a ‘Teesta Management Authority’ with experts and movement representatives, introduction of a ‘Teesta Bond,’ and adoption of river and agricultural protection plans.

The group announced a series of public outreach programs along the Teesta from May 21 to 26, followed by a special prayer after Eid, a citizens’ rally on June 5, and a month-long awareness campaign.

Meteorologists in Bangladesh have described the current summer as highly unusual, noting that despite frequent rainfall, the country is experiencing intense humidity. According to weather experts A.K.M. Nazmul Haque and Shahinul Islam, in their 14 years of service they have not seen such a combination of heavy rain and persistent muggy heat during April and May. Although temperatures have not risen sharply, the high moisture in southern winds is causing discomfort across the country.

Data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department show that the highest temperature this year was 40°C in Rajshahi on April 22, compared with 42°C and 43.7°C recorded in Chuadanga in 2023 and 2024 respectively. On Tuesday, the national maximum temperature dropped to 36.6°C from 38°C the previous day, while rainfall reached 86 millimeters in Rangamati and 16 millimeters in Dhaka. However, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions saw no rain.

Health experts report an increase in respiratory illnesses among children and the elderly due to fluctuating weather. Forecasts suggest that humidity and irregular rainfall may persist through June and July.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over a high-level meeting on the development and environmental conservation of the Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake. The meeting was held on Tuesday, May 19, at the Cabinet Division in the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat. Officials discussed measures to prevent water pollution, maintain ecological balance, enhance the lake’s beauty, and improve civic amenities around the area.

During the meeting, relevant officials presented the current condition of the lake and shared their opinions on sustainable development plans and initiatives. The session was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Suman, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, administrators of Dhaka South and North City Corporations, and senior officials from related ministries and departments.

The discussions focused on coordinated efforts among government agencies to ensure long-term environmental protection and urban improvement around the lake area.

Unplanned and unauthorized housing projects are rapidly expanding across Khulna city, making it increasingly unfit for habitation. These developments, often built on agricultural land without proper roads, drainage, water, or electricity connections, are being viewed as a looming crisis for the city’s future. Experts have urged immediate coordination among relevant agencies to ensure planned and environmentally sustainable urban development.

The concerns were raised at a seminar titled “Housing Projects and Urban Management in Khulna: Actions for Environmental Protection,” organized by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) at a city hotel on Tuesday morning. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Ahsanul Kabir of Khulna University, with Professor Anwarul Kadir moderating. Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju attended as chief guest, alongside senior officials from KCC, KDA, KUET, and BELA.

Representatives from KCC, WASA, KDA, and the Department of Environment participated in the seminar, emphasizing the need for integrated planning to prevent further environmental degradation in Khulna.

A mobile court in Lama upazila of Bandarban district sentenced Lokman Hossain, aged 35, to six months of imprisonment for illegally cutting hills. The operation took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Bashkhaillya Jhiri area following a report published in the newspaper Amar Desh. Lokman Hossain, son of Saleh Ahmed from Yangcha area, was found guilty of using two excavators to cut and sell soil from about 10 acres of hill land for brick kiln construction.

The report titled “Preparation to build brick kiln by cutting 10 acres of hill in Lama” was published on Monday on Amar Desh’s online edition, drawing the attention of the upazila and district administrations. Following this, the administration conducted the drive and took legal action against the offender.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Moin Uddin stated that there would be no leniency for those destroying the environment and that such drives would continue in the public interest.