‘Endangered Lives’: An Underwater Photo Exhibition

Endangered biodiversity of Saint Martin’s coral habitat will be portrayed in an underwater photo exhibition starting on Tuesday at Biswa Sahitya Kendra’s Art Gallery. Marine conservation initiative Save Our Sea (SOS) and Bangladesh Poribes Andolon (BAPA) are jointly organizing the awareness event on the occasion of UN declared International Day for Biological Diversity 2014. The three-days long exhibition titled ‘endangered lives’ will be inaugurated through a Discussion Meeting at 3 pm the Kendra’s Hall-room. Eminent activist and Vice President of BAPA Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed will be the chief guest. Country Representative for IUCN Bangladesh Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad and Secretary of BAPA Abdul Matin will address the meeting as special guests. Moderated by Coordinator of Save Our Sea Mohammad Arju, the meeting will be addressed by Joint Secretary of BAPA Mr. Shahjahan Mridha Benu and Secretary General of Riverine People Sheikh Rokon among others.

Speaking about the event SOS coordinator Mohammad Arju said, ‘We have taken the opportunity brought to us by this year’s theme of Biodiversity Day on 22nd May; ‘Island Biodiversity’. Saint Martin’s, the only coral-bearing island of Bangladesh, is the most important marine biodiversity hotspot of the country. This marine habitat is home to various endangered species. Unfortunately the marine area is not under any kind of protection. As a consequence, human activity is causing rapid deterioration in biodiversity.’He said, ‘We are running explorations in various parts of the Bay of Bengal and producing visual contents to distribute in public. We believe, dissemination of visual contents about underwater world among public hopefully will be effective to build awareness about marine conservation. The photos of this exhibition were taken by our Executive Member and Underwater Photographer Mr. Sharif Sarwar.