IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan served as Country Representative, IUCN-Bangladesh between 16 August 2009 and 31 December 2011.

He is currently Professor of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, and Executive Director, Centre for Resources and Development Research, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. His career reflects a rich blend of academic and practicing development management experiences gained in Bangladesh, Thailand and the UK.

Besides serving as Head of Station for IUCN in Bangladesh, some of his other former positions include: Senior Programme Coordinator—CHTDF, UNDP-Bangladesh; Manager Operations, Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (Rural Employment Assistance Foundation), and Forest and Natural Resource Management Specialist (RETA 5900), Asian Development Bank (ADB).  On the academic and research side, he held such positions as South Asian Fellow, Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford; Research Fellow University of Wales; Professor of Public Administration, University of Chittagong;  and Asia Research Fellow, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

He has also extensively consulted for such organizations as UNDP, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, ADB, IRG, CARE, DANIDA, Save the Children, MJF, USAID, Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council (HM Government, UK), and Government of Bangladesh. Dr. Khan holds a Ph.D. with Distinction from the University of Wales, UK, and conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford, University College Swansea, and Asian Institute of Technology. Professor Khan has contributed more than 150 articles and book chapters to national and international refereed journals and books.

His contact details are: email: niaz.khan@yahoo.com, khan.niaz.ahmed@gmail.com; http://www.devstud-udhaka.ac.bd/faculty_dtls.asp?FID=4;(+88) 01711 364462; (+88 02) 8959555

Ishtiaq.AHMAD@iucn.org

Mr. Ishtiaq holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters in Agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University, a Master’s in Forestry from University of Peshawar, Pakistan, and another Master’s in Forest Inventory & Management from University of Washington, USA. He is a member of Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA), Indian Remote Sensing Society, and Bangladesh Civil Service Forest Association.

He has some 30 years experience of working in environment and development of modern management regimes for natural forests and plantations.  His past experiences include being the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) for Forest Department, Bangladesh, Deputy Chief Conservation of Forests (DCCF) for Planning Wing, and the Conservator of Forests for Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Forest Department, Government of Bangladesh.
 

E-mail: Istiak.sobhan@iucn.org

Dr Istiak Sobhan was awarded the Degree of Doctor with a dissertation titled “Species discrimination from a hyperspectral perspective,” from Graduate School of Production Ecology & Resource Conservation of Wageningen University and ITC, the Netherlands. Before that, he had completed his second Masters in Environmental System Analysis and Monitoring from International Institute for Geo-information Science (ITC), the  Netherlands.  Earlier he obtained Bachelor and Masters in Botany from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dr Istiak started his career as a research assistant at the Biotechnology Research Centre at the University of Dhaka. Later he served NACOM, Flood Action Plan, and Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) at various positions.

He has substantial consulting, training and research experience in Bangladesh and the Netherlands. He also contributed to more than 10 peer reviewed articles in national and international journals.
 

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

E-mail: aimesh.biswas@iucn.org

Animesh Kumar Biswas holds a Masters in Management from the National University, Bangladesh.

Prior to join IUCN, Animesh was working with Padakhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra (PMUK), an organization working for local community and social development.

His areas of expertise are micro finance programme for development and documentation.
 

Ecosystems for Life: A Bangladesh – India Initiative

E-mail: bushra.nishat@iucn.org

Bushra Nishat holds a Masters in Water and Environment Resources Management from the UNESCO International Institute for Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering Institute for Water Education, Netherlands and a Bachelor in Science in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. She has professional affiliation with the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Bushra has over 12 years of experience in water and environmental resources management and more than five years of experience in applying numerical modelling tools for water and environmental resource planning and impact assessment studies.

Before joining IUCN, she has been working as an Associate Specialist with Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) in Bangladesh. As a water resource engineer for IWM, she was responsible for the development of a basin model covering the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basins

Community based Adaption in ECA of Cox's Bazar- Teknaf Peninsula and Sonadia Island through Biodiversity Conservation and Social Protection

E-mail: shahriar.rahman@iucn.org

Shahriar Rahman holds a Masters and Bachelor in Environmental Sciences from Jahangirnagar University. Currently he is pursuing second Masters in Water Resources Development from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

Prior to joining IUCN, he had been working as the Junior Environmental Specialist with Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS).

He has several national and international publications in different environmental issues. His area of interests are natural resources management and conservation, geo-information, water resources and climate change modelling

Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Bangladesh

E-mail: enamul.siddique@iucn.org

Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique is a Master of Social Science in Sociology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

As part of his role in IUCN Bangladesh, Siddique has contributed to the formation of the National Coordinating Body (NCB), compiled research for preparation of the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) for the Mangroves for the Future initiative and Scoping Report of Sustainable Coastal Zone Management of Bangladesh . Before joining IUCN, he used to work with the Daily Ittefaq, a national daily.

His areas of interest include, social research methods, sociology of environment, sustainable development, mass communications, statistics and demography. 

Environmental Management and Biodiversity Conservation Plan for Bangladesh Sundarbans’ Biodiversity

E-mail: abdullah.mamun@iucn.org

Abdullah-Al-Mamun has a Masters and Bachelor in Environmental Science from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Mamun is currently involved in the preparation of a biodiversity conservation plan for the Sundarbans. Prior to IUCN, he worked as a project coordinator for the homestead agro-forestry project funded by USAID through Arannayk Foundation. He also has significant teaching experience in the Department of Environmental Technology, at the Chittagong Polytechnic Institute.

He has several published scientific papers in national and international journals and interest in climate change adaptation, environmental impact assessment, environmental management plan, water quality, biodiversity conservation and environmental economics.
 

Enhancement of Bangladesh's Capacity in Climate Change Negotiations 

Marufa Sultana holds a first class Bachelor and Masters in Zoology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a specific focus on wildlife biology. She has also attended a training programme on “Community based natural resource management.”

Recently, she has provided support to the Action Research for Asian elephant conservation project. Now, she is providing support to climate change negotiations project.

As a wildlife biologist, she has interest in wildlife and its conservation and management.
 

Conservation through practice: conservation of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge by involving ethnic communities

E-mail: ahsanul.wahed@iucn.org

Md Ahsanul Wahed completed his Masters and Bachelor in Agronomy and Agriculture respectively from Bangladesh Agricultural University. He also attended a number of trainings on behalf of IUCN Bangladesh at home and abroad, focusing climate change and natural resource governance.

He is currently providing technical support for the conservation of medicinal plants and other activities such as disaster risk reduction and vulnerability assessments and training courses using participatory rural appraisal tools to assess community need and vulnerability to disaster. Additionally he has been involved in monitoring the natural resource governance project.

Prior to IUCN he worked as a researcher in Development of Biotechnology and Environmental Conservation Centre (DEBTEC).
 

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

E-mail: aminur.rahman@iucn.org

Md Aminur Rahman holds an MBA from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and Bachelor of Science from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Civil Engineering. He gained experience in ICT applications through a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science from Bangladesh Institute of Management and received additional training.

Aminur has joined IUCN on lien from the Government of Bangladesh and had been working with the Government at the level of Deputy Secretary. He has 23 years of multi-disciplinary working experience as Site Engineer, Magistrate, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Assistant Director Local Government, Upazilla (Sub-District) Nirbahi (Executive) Officer, Project Director, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Land.

As the Project Manager of the "Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project, Phase-II" he liaises with the different government agencies and shares the experiences.

Support to Bangladesh Government in Climate Negotiation

E-mail: Md.Kamruzzaman@iucn.org

Md Kamruzzaman has a Masters and Bachelor in Geography from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.

Currently he is working closely with the Climate Change Unit, at the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh.

Prior to IUCN, Kamruzzaman worked with Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) as the Research Coordinator. He also worked with other different local and international organizations namely International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manusher Jonno Foundation, The Swallows India-Bangladesh, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), DANIDA and Family Planning Association of Bangladesh (FPAB).

He also contributed in national and international research projects and has a good number of publications.

Conservation through practice: conservation of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge by involving ethnic communities and Action Research for conservation of Asian Elephant in Bangladesh

E-mail: abdul.motaleb@iucn.org

Mohammad Abdul Motaleb obtained Masters and Bachelor in Forestry from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

He is currently managing a project to facilitate conservation of medicinal plant and traditional health service in Chittagong Hill Tracts and another project on the conservation of Asian elephants. He has also worked in biodiversity conservation in the Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh.

Prior to joining IUCN, he worked as a research officer for the Bangladesh Ministry of Food and Disaster, on economic risk appraisal of the impact of cyclones and tsunamis on coastal livelihood.

Motaleb has contributed to a number of national and international publications on biodiversity conservation.
 

Community Base Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

E-mail: ak.azad@iucn.org

Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad has completed Masters in Crop Science and Bachelor in Agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University.

He has eight years of experience in working with national and international organizations. Prior to joining IUCN, he was working with CARE Bangladesh’s SHOUHARDO Programme in the wetlands as the Project Manager.

He has received several trainings on business development, administration etc. His areas of expertise are climate change, disaster risk reduction, conservation, community empowerment, Community Based Natural Resource Management etc.

 E-mail: Shahad.Mahabub@iucn.org

Mohammad Shahad Mahabub Chowdhury did his Masters with a specialization in Marine Science from the Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, Chittagong University, Bangladesh. He completed his second Masters in Aquatic Resources Development from Stirling University, UK.

Shahad has considerable work experiences with several prominent national and international institutions in the fields of natural resources development, management and conservation.

He has demonstrated his capability in development, management, supervision and monitoring multidisciplinary research and programme activities throughout the country successfully and has contributed to several national and international journals.

E-mail: Nasim.Aziz @iucn.org

Nasim Aziz did his Masters in Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University, Canada, and Bachelor in Forestry from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Nasim has seven years of experience in natural resource management, with a strong focus in forestry. He also has experience in biodiversity, socio-economic and institutional assessments and is currently managing several projects in IUCN Bangladesh.

Before joining IUCN, he was working as Performance Monitoring and Applied Research Specialist under Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC), Project funded by USAID.

His areas of interest include biodiversity assessment, socio-economic & institutional assessment.

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

E-mail: rafiqul.haider@iucn.org

S.M. Rafiqul Islam holds a Masters in Commerce from National University of Bangladesh.

Prior to joining IUCN, Rafiqul has been working as the Regional Manager, Gonoshahajjo Sanghtha (GSS). He also worked with various national and international organizations namely, WaterAid, DANIDA, Dhaka Ahsania Mission. 

He has experience in coordination, advocacy, networking with the formal and non-formal education and creating social awareness. Currently he is working with the Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor project of IUCN as the programme officer. 

Community Based Sustainble Managemet of Tanguar Haor Project

Email: dipubird@gmail.com

A.B.M.Sarowar Alam  has a Masters and Bachelor in Zoology from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.

Before joining IUCN, he worked with Wetland Biodiversity Rehabilitation Project (WBRP) , funded by German development co-operation (GIZ)  as the Wildlife Officer. He was also working with CARINAM as Wildlife field researcher to ‘Estimate Breeding population of Gharial in Padma & Jamuna  River’ project.

MR. Alam is also a Editor of Banglar Phaki (Bangladesh bird Club Newsletter) and Executive Editor of Bangladesh Nature Quest Magazine published by The Daily Star.

He is now secretary of Bangladesh Bird Club (Bbc) and member of Oriental Bird Club (OBC).  He has a lot of publication of National and International Journal & Newspapers. He has published one book named Bangladesher Porijayi Pakhi( Migratory Birds of Bangladesh) from Abosor Prokasoni LTD. 

His interest includes wildlife research, bird watching, wildlife photography, Traveling, Writing, wildlife modeling, Climate Change monitoring and different types of conservation works.

Community based adaptation in the ecologically critical areas of Cox’s Bazar – Teknaf Peninsula and Sonadia Island – through biodiversity conservation and social protection

Md Hasibur Rahman  completed his graduation and post graduation in Zoology from Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. Currently he is pursuing Master of Philosophy from the same university.

Before joining IUCN, he was working with CWBMP project of the Department of Environment, funded by UNDP-GEF, as the Wildlife Conservation Officer.

His areas of interest include natural resources management, assessing economic valuation of biodiversity, sustainable management of protected area and environmental economics. 

Ecosystems for Life: A Bangladesh India Initiative

Md Emran Hasan has a Masters and Bachelor in Geography & Environment, from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
He has worked as a teaching assistant at the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing lab, at the Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, where he assisted faculties during geo-spatial classes and lectures for students and professionals.

Prior to IUCN, Emran worked as a GIS Analyst at Geographic Solution Research Center (GSRC).

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Programme

E-mail: Sheikh.Asad@iucn.org

Sheikh Asaduzzaman did his Masters in Islamic History from the Jagannath University, Bangladesh and Post-graduate Diploma in Library and Information Sciences from the National Library and Information Association, Bangladesh.

He has also completed a certificate course in Environmental Education at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), India and a diploma course on Desktop Publications from Daffodil University, Bangladesh.

Currently he is involved in maintaining the office library, designing the publications and printing materials of IUCN Bangladesh.

E-mail: zobaidur.rahman@iucn.org

Mr. Rahman holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Atrs in English from Chittagong University, Bangladesh. He has more than seven years of experience in the field of communications, public relations and media.  He also attended many professional training and workshops on Security Awareness, Disaster Management and Conflict Reporting.

Prior to joining IUCN he was a Program Officer for Relief International and was responsible for providing Capacity Building Training to the Media Professionals and overall media management. He has also previously worked at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on the Police Reform Program (PRP) as a Public Relations Officer, at the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in Bangladesh as Assistant Press and Public Outreach Officer and as Diplomatic Correspondent at media outlets in Bangladesh

Email: alison.darcy@iucn.org

Alison has joined IUCN as a Communications Officer as part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program and will be working with IUCN for 12 months. 

She holds a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Technology, Sydney and is undertaking her Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management from Macquarie University, Sydney.
 
Prior to joining IUCN Alison worked in Community Development, Marketing, Communications and Environmental divisions within the Australian Transport (rail) Industry. She has previously spent time in Nepal as a community development volunteer working in remote villages.
 

abu.sayeed@iucn.org

Sayeed has more than six years of experience in the field of Information Technology (IT) in Bangladesh. Before joining IUCN he worked as a software developer in Orion Group, previously he was a Senior Executive – IT in NAVANA Group.

He holds a B.Sc.(Hons.) in Information Technology (IT) from Sikkim-Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sciences in India and a Master of Science in Computer Science & Engineering (M.S.C.E.)  from Stamford University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He also completed a one year ORACLE Database certified course from IBCS-PRIMAX Software (BD) Ltd.

E-mail: anwar.hossain@iucn.org

Md Anwar Hossain holds a Masters degree in accounting, and an MBA in Global Banking and Finance. Additionally he has a postgraduate diploma in personnel management from Bangladesh Institute of Management and completed Chartered Accountancy course.

Anwar has more than 14 years of experience in the area of finance and administrative management in the development sector of Bangladesh.

Prior to IUCN, he has worked as a deputy financial controller with The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He also worked with the Sight savers International, Save the Children UK, Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service and BRAC.

E-mail: tulshi.roy@iucn.org

Tulshi Das Roy received Masters Degree in Economics and Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the National University, Bangladesh, and a professional degree of Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB).

Tulshi is currently involved in cost and management audit, review and compilation of financial statements as well as the reporting of corporate finance, taxation, general business accounting and business planning for sustainable operations.

He has extensive experience in preparing donor reports on cash-flow projection, annual budget, and project budget monthly Payroll, cost recovery and fund monitoring, reviewing bank accounts reconciliation, current accounts and fund reconciliation, SUN and Vision XL administration

E-mail: aktar.hossain@iucn.org

Md Aktar Hossain holds an MBA in finance from the University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), Bangladesh and a Masters in Management from the National University of Bangladesh. He has also completed a Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) intermediate course from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB).

Prior to IUCN he worked at Royal Park Ltd. and Wega Fashion Sweater (Pvt.) Ltd.

Aktar attended several training courses on Value Added Tax (VAT) from Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka; and Human Resource Management for Executives from Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM).

Community Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Project

E-mail: azad.abulkalam@iucn.org

Abul Kalam Azad has a Masters in Commerce concentrating in Management from the National University of Bangladesh and a Bachelor in Commerce from the Government Tularam College, Dhaka.

Azad is currently maintaining the accounts and administration records of the community based sustainable management of Tanguar Haor project in the Sunamgonj district.

Prior to IUCN, Azad worked with Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and with Unnayan Shahayak Sangstha (USS), a local organization that works with community development, under the SHOWHARDO program of CARE Bangladesh.

E-mail: azad.bhuiyan@iucn.org

Abul Kalam Azad, graduated from the University of Chittagong and holds a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management from Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM).

Azad has extensive work experience in human resource management and administration, with several renowned national and international organizations.

Apart from his professional duties, Azad has been contributing to Ittefaq, a leading Bengali newspaper, as a freelance writer.

E-mail: Dominica.Rozario@iucn.org

Dominica Rozario has a Bachelor degree from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and has completed management development training from the Bangladesh Institute of Management.

Dominica has extensive experience working with IUCN Bangladesh in the area of operations and contributed to the smooth implementation of administrative systems and processes.

Ecosystems for Life

Email: Shamimara.Begum@iucn.org

Shamim Ara Rahman completed her Graduation from Dhaka University.

She is working with IUCN Bangladesh Country Office, as a Secretary to the Programme Coordinator. She provides secretarial support to the whole programme unit.

Ecosystems for Life: A Bangladesh-India Initiative

E-mail: Khondaker.shamimara@iucn.org

Shamim Ara Khondaker has a Masters and Bachelor in Islamic Studies from National University, Bangladesh, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Bangladesh Institute of Management.

Shamima is currently attached with Ecosystems for Life project as an administrative assistant and act as the focal person for Membership and Constitution. Being the focal person, she handles all issues related to promoting IUCN Membership and keep liaison between the Members and IUCN Country Office.

She has attended Membership Workshop as a membership focal point at Gland, IUCN HQ, Switzerland and has made significant contributions to the participation of Bangladesh Delegations in the World Conservation Congress (WCC) 2008.