Environmental services such as food, fodder, water andoxygen, on which our lives depend are sources of all provision and subsistence for the living but yet are unrecognised and unappreciated in the society. Being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, pressures on ecosystems and natural resources, theland, water and flora-fauna are tremendous. Moreover, vulnerabilities from climate change have posed great threats by causing severe cyclone, tornado, flood, drought and over precipitation, and future coastal inundation, which have significant impact on the overall economy, livelihoods, lifestyles and environment. It is necessary for Bangladesh to protect and conserve its environment and much depleted ecosystems to benef from these perpetual ecosystem services for the sake of our sustained long-term progress and economic development.

Bangladesh is a small country blessed with over 700 rivers, and various wetlands, having the highest river density per unit area in the world, hosting biodiversity hotspots andworld heritage sites such as the Sundarbans mangrove forest, rich Hilsha and freshwater fisheries, unique coastal zones with the most dynamic delta and a huge pool of human resources. What is needed now is to work together in a concerted way to save, protect and conserve our nature, wilderness, environment and natural resources and mitigate/adapt to climate change.

Saving the environment ofthe blue planet is now a global concern, thus we need to think globally and act locally. Under this context and vision, the ITEB aims at making organised efforts to make a difference through work on environmental conservation and scientific research on tropical ecology and biodiversity, aspiring to become a national and regional hub.