Reviewing Amphibians at IUCN Red List Project Office, Banani Dhaka (August 18, 2026)

Fig: I along with other members of IUCN are busy to review the amphibian status in Bangladesh.

The IUCN Faunal Red List Update of Bangladesh is a major national initiative aimed at reassessing the current conservation status of the country’s wildlife using the latest IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Bangladesh’s previous comprehensive faunal assessment, published in 2015, evaluated 1,619 species from seven major groups—mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, crustaceans, and butterflies—and identified 390 species as threatened and 31 as Regionally Extinct. In January 2026, the Bangladesh Forest Department and IUCN Bangladesh formally launched the third national Faunal Red List update, covering approximately 2,200 species, including previously assessed and newly evaluated taxa. The assessment will examine changes in species’ conservation status during 2015–2025 and incorporate updated scientific knowledge, distributional information, population trends, and emerging threats. The updated Red List is expected to provide an essential scientific foundation for biodiversity conservation, species recovery planning, environmental impact assessment, policy formulation, and national reporting under international biodiversity commitments. It will also strengthen research capacity through the involvement of scientists, universities, government agencies, and conservation professionals. Importantly, the new assessment will improve knowledge of poorly studied groups and Data Deficient species, helping identify research priorities and guide targeted conservation actions across Bangladesh.

Inception workshop on “Updataing Faunal Red List in Bangladesh”.

I along with other lead assessors and govt. officials including adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan of the Ministry of environment, forest and climate change attended inception workshop at hotel Radison blue on Jan 29, 2026

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is one of the world’s leading environmental organizations working for nature conservation and sustainable development. Established in 1948, IUCN brings together governments, scientists, and environmental experts to protect biodiversity and natural resources. In Bangladesh, IUCN has been playing an important role since 1973 by supporting environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and sustainable resource management. The organization works closely with the Government of Bangladesh, local communities, and other partners to conserve forests, wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems. IUCN Bangladesh has contributed significantly to the protection of the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also conducts research, raises public awareness, and develops policies to reduce the impact of climate change and natural disasters. Through various projects, IUCN helps protect endangered species, improve livelihoods of local people, and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. The organization also supports youth participation and environmental education to create awareness among future generations. By promoting cooperation between people and nature, IUCN Bangladesh is making a valuable contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the country. Its activities are essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a healthier and safer environment for present and future generations.

I am the reviewer of Amphibian group to updating the faunal red list in Bangladesh 2026.

Attended and worked as Rapporteur at 10th BFRF conference (23-24 December, 2025)

I participated in the 10th Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (BFRF) conference at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Farmgate from December 23 to 24, 2025. I served as a rapporteur and, moreover, presented two potential new species of loach fish through a poster. Local ichthyologists convened to exchange perspectives and ideas aimed at establishing a safe and secure setting for fisheries nutrition in Bangladesh.

Invited speaker, 24th National Conference and AGM 2024, Zoological Society of Bangladesh

I gave a talk on “A new species of sand snake Psammophis (Serpentes: Psammophiidae) from the northwest area of Bangladesh” at the 24th Zoological society meeting, at the Department of Zoology, Dhaka University (May 23, 2025). I presented a new species of sand snake, Psammophis new sp. nov., from Bangladesh, based on comprehensive morphological and genetic investigations. Received crest as a invited speaker from Dr. Hamida Khanum, the President of Zoological Society of Bangladesh.

How many freshwater fish species in Bangladesh???

The number of fish species in Bangladesh remains an unresolved inquiry. Rahman et al. (2005) report a total of 265 freshwater species, while Hossain et al. (2012) identify 293 species. Our recent analysis and published paper PLoS One 20(4): e0318982 https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0318982 identified seven potential new species in this emerging country that necessitate further exploration to evaluate the hypothesis. Additional study is necessary to safeguard the precious freshwater species in Bangladesh.

Visited Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, Malaysia

In last 13th August 2024, I visited and gave a lecture on DNA barcoding of freshwater fish species  at Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia. It was a fruitful meeting and discussion to enhance the collaboration.

 

Figure: After lecture a courtesy group photo was taken with faculty members, staff and post graduate students.

 

 

Received 1st prize “Research Publications Fair-2023”

Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University, Jamalpur-2012, Bangladesh had organized a research publications fair on April 03, 2023. Based on expert evaluation I became 1st in the faculty of “Biology and Agriculture”. Later on December 7, 2023, university authority handover medal, 10,000 BDT and a certificate. The picture shows that our honorable Vice Chancellor presented medal to me. I am honored and inspired to do further more research work.

Install the “Genetic Analyzer” to Evolution and Diversity Research Laboratory, BSFMSTU

One of the finest and sophisticated machines for gene sequencing “Genetic Analyzer” was recently setup at “Evolution and Diversity Research Laboratory”, BSFMSTU to open the horizon of genomic research in biological science. Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Kamrul Alam Khan Sir inaugurated this machine in last September 11, 2023. This is a milestone to extend the molecular research in our university. University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) funded to purchase this machine.

Figure: Dr. Mahmudul Hasan is operating the Genetic Analyzer