Bangladesh, Sept. 27 -- The government is working sincerely to protect the marine environment and biodiversity, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said Sunday.

"The government has declared 1,738 sq km of the 'Swatch of No Ground' in the South Bay of Bengal as a Marine Protected Area. This has helped in the conservation and breeding of endangered marine dolphins, whales and sharks," he said.

Shahab Uddin was speaking at a webinar as chief guest on 'Underwater Nature Exhibition and Discussion' organised by Save Hour Sea on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2020.

With a view to conserving biodiversity, work is underway to declare 1,743 sq km adjacent to St Martin's Island as a Marine Protected Area, he said, ...