One of the major activities of IUCN - The World Conservation Union is to monitor the status of ecosystems and species throughout the world, which is manifested in the publication of the Red Lists of Plants and the Red Lists of Animals.

Bangladesh, having an area of 147,570 sq km is undoubtedly an extraordinary situation that such a great diversity still exists in an unusually overpopulated (130 million with more than 800 people per sq km) country with a very limited range of habitats. A series ‘Red Book’ publication on threatened species of Bangladesh will not only provide the profile of all the threatened species, their habits and habitats, but will also include the threats to them and suggest necessary conservation measures. These books would be the basis for a countrywide conservation education programme. Moreover, it will help in creating awareness among the community about protecting our rich biological heritage. At present, there is no guide available as a ready reference. Such data base or handy reference hopefully, in the near future, will aid in formulating policy matters like development of legislative framework, strengthening the control of export of threatened animals, establishment of conservation priorities, etc. We hope that these present Red Book publications will form a basis for understanding how we could share this land with other life forms, because the existence of humans is directly dependent on the survival of other living beings.

These redbooks are available for purchase from IUCN Bangladesh Country office. Please contact publicationsiucnbd.org for details.

Red Books
Bangladesher Bipanno Bonno Prani It is an abbreviated version of the main work on nationally threatened animals in Bengali. It contains a list of nationally threatened fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The global status of the nationally threatened animals is also mentioned Prepared with the specialist community in mind, this book is equally accessible to policy-makers and students.	Red Book of Threatened Amphibians and Reptiles of Bangladesh Contains the description, habits, habitat, threats, conservation status and conservation needs of eight amphibians and 58 reptiles identified as nationally threatened. Colour illustrations of the threatened amphibians and reptiles are also provided for easy identification.	Red List of Threatened Animals of Bangladesh Prepared with the specialist community in mind, this book is equally accessible to policy-makers and students. It is an abbreviated version of the main work on nationally threatened animals. It contains a list of nationally threatened fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The global status of the nationally threatened animals is also mentioned.
Red Book of Threatened Birds of Bangladesh Contains the description, habits, habitat, threats, conservation status and conservation needs of 41 resident birds identified as nationally threatened. Colour illustrations of all the threatened birds are also provided for easy identification.	Red Book of Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh Contains the description, habits, habitat, threats, conservation status and conservation needs of fifty eighty identified as nationally threatened. Colour illustrations of the threatened amphibians and reptiles are also provided for easy identification.	Red Book of Threatened Mammals of Bangladesh Contains the description, habits, habitat, threats, conservation status and conservation needs of 40 inland mammals identified as nationally threatened. Colour illustrations of all the threatened mammals are also provided for easy identification.