The 31st founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard will be cele-brated with due dignity and formality on Tuesday (April 28) at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, will be present as the chief guest and special guests will be present at the event.
Besides, high-ranking military and civilian guests will be present at the event among the invited guests.
The Home Minister will award 4 Bangladesh Coast Guard Medals, 4 Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medals, 3 President Coast Guard Medals and 3 President Coast Guard (Service) Medals, a total of 14 people, for the bravery and courageous work of the officers, sailors and civilians of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.
In 1994, the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, realizing the need to form the force to protect the security and potential of the vast coastal region of the
country, formulated the ‘legal basis’ of this force. Through her dedicated efforts and visionary leadership, this force was established on 14 February 1995 and the force officially started its journey with a grand inauguration on 19 December 1995 in her direct presence.
This force, which was formed with the expectations of the people and visionary leadership, has been working tirelessly for almost three decades as a symbol of security and trust of the people of the coast and river banks with unwavering patriotism, unwavering dedication,
unquestionable professionalism and boundless courage.
In this historic journey, the force, cur-rently divided into 4 zones 63 sta-tions/outposts, 28 ships and 138 fast boats has been playing an important role in ensuring security in the vast seas and coastal and riverine areas of the country, conservation of fish and live-stock, security of ports, protection of mangrove forests, prevention of drug and smuggling, prevention of human trafficking, rescue and assistance during disasters and suppression of piracy.
As part of the continuous operation to conserve fisheries resources, Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized ille-gal nets and traps worth Tk 20,152 crore in the past year and is destroying a sig-nificant number of illegal net factories. As a result, about 1,209.1 million kg of fish have been saved, the estimated mar-ket value of which is about Tk 60,458 crore. In addition, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing an effective, strong and leading role against illegal artisanal trawling boats that destroy the marine ecosystem in coastal shallow waters. Bangladesh Coast Guard has won the ‘Matsya Padak (Silver)’ for the second time in recognition of its continuous success in conserving fisheries resources.
The active presence of the Coast Guard in all the ports of the country, including Chittagong Port, which is considered the economic driving force of the country, and its adjacent outer anchorage areas has acceler-ated the port’s activities and improved its international rating. In addi-tion, in recognition of the Coast Guard’s expertise and bravery in con-trolling the fire incident at the outer anchorage, it has been awarded the “Letter of Commendation’ from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the first time in the history of Bangladesh as the only organi-zation.
In addition, in recognition of modernity, professionalism and providing international standard training, the Coast Guard Training Base ‘Agrajatra’ has achieved ISO certification. As a result, the friendly rela-tions of Bangladesh Coast Guard with various countries and organiza-tions in the outside world have reached a unique level. As a reflection of the mutual relations, bilateral agreements have already been signed with Australia, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
In the past year, Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 590 criminals along with 249 illegal firearms and 6,802 ammunition, seized drugs worth Tk 2.95 billion, and arrested 670 drug smugglers through a total of 55,841 operations. Illegal goods worth Tk 2.15 billion have been seized, 276 dredgers and bulkheads have been seized to prevent smug-gling and anti-environmental activities. In these operations, fines of more than Tk 4 crore have been collected and deposited in the state treas-ury. At the same time, 1,622 people have been rescued alive in rescue operations, victims of human trafficking have been rescued and traffick-ers have been detained and the safe return of Bangladeshi fishermen from neighboring countries has been ensured.
Besides, under the direct guidance of the present government, two sepa-rate operations are being conducted to eradicate bandits in the Sundarbans, namely ‘Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’.
The Coast Guard is continuously conducting operations against illegal stockpiling of fuel oil and smuggling. Through the Coast Guard emer-gency service number 16111, coastal residents, tourists and distressed vessels are getting regular and prompt assistance.
Over time and through the skillful implementation of far-reaching plans, every member of this force is enthusiastic and determined to build the Bangladesh Coast Guard into an effective, strong and efficient force and advance.
