A Brighter Future for Elephants in Bangladesh
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by
scott
On April 13, 2026, two New Years were welcomed across Asia—Songkran in Thailand and the Bengali New Year in Bangladesh. A time traditionally marked by renewal and hope became a shared moment of purpose for those working to protect elephants.
In Dhaka, at Alliance Française de Dhaka, activists, diplomats, government leaders, and animal advocates gathered for an event focused on the future of elephants in Asia and Bangladesh.
Organized by the PAW Foundation in partnership with the Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement, the program brought together a powerful mix of voices and perspectives.
The event was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including:
• Shaikh Faridul, Islam Minister of State for Environmental Forest and Climate Change
• Thitiporn Chirasawasdi, Ambassador of Thailand
• Haji Haris Bin Othman, Ambassador of Brunei
• Aaron Jackson, Planting Peace
A documentary screening revealed the realities faced by elephants—lives shaped by exploitation in industries such as street begging, logging, and tourism—sparking meaningful discussion and reflection.
“Thank you to all dedicated activists—Rakibul Haque Amil, Tarana Hossain, Amirul Rajiv, Naim Ul Hasan, and your teams—you are the hope for the future. Special thanks to Mr Francois Chambraud and the entire team for hosting this important event.” —Saengduean Chailert
For Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, the visit carried deep personal significance. She has followed the lives of elephants in Bangladesh for many years, witnessing the suffering that has long defined their existence. Images of calves separated from their mothers during training left a lasting impression and became a call to action.
That call grew stronger when the story of an elephant named Nihakoli captured international attention. Through this, Lek connected with a group of passionate animal advocates, including Rakibul Amil and Tarana Hossain. What began as concern evolved into collaboration, building cooperation between Bangladesh and our organization in Thailand.
Today, that collaboration is beginning to bear fruit.
The Bangladeshi government has taken meaningful steps toward change: issuing a High Court order to prevent mistreatment, banning the use of elephants for street begging and logging, ending elephant riding, and improving welfare standards through the development of chain-free shelters. Elephant shows, once crowded with tourists, are closing—many now silent and overgrown.
During her recent visit, Lek met with a wide network of individuals committed to continuing this progress—activists, conservationists, and policymakers working together toward a common goal.
“I am deeply honored to support efforts that aim to create real change for elephants in Bangladesh. Together, through collaboration and compassion, we have the power to create lasting change. If one person can make a difference, imagine what we can achieve together. Change is possible and it is happening.” — Saengduean Chailert
The journey is far from over, but the direction is clear. What is unfolding in Bangladesh is a reminder that change is possible—not through a single voice, but through many coming together with a shared intention.
