Prof. Md. Manzoorul Kibria, Ph.D.

Governing Board Member | Bangladesh Nature Foundation (BNF)

Dr. Md. Manzoorul Kibria is a zoologist, aquatic ecologist, fisheries researcher, academic, and river conservation specialist with extensive expertise in limnology, fisheries biology, aquatic biodiversity, river and wetland ecology, fish spawning ecology, ichthyoprotozoology, and aquatic resource management. As a Governing Board Member of the Bangladesh Nature Foundation (BNF), he contributes scientific and technical expertise to the Foundation’s activities in biodiversity conservation, aquatic ecosystem management, environmental research, river conservation, fisheries resources, and sustainable natural resource management. His longstanding research and conservation engagement, particularly concerning the Halda River and other aquatic ecosystems of Bangladesh, provides valuable scientific perspectives for evidence-based conservation and environmental management.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Md. Manzoorul Kibria holds BSc (Hons.) and MSc degrees with first-class first position in Limnology and Fisheries Biology, an MPhil in Fisheries, and a PhD from the University of Chittagong. His academic training and research experience encompass zoology, limnology, fisheries biology, aquatic biodiversity, aquatic parasitology, river ecology, wetland ecosystems, fish spawning ecology, environmental assessment, and conservation biology. His academic specialization has been particularly focused on river and wetland ecosystems and the biological and ecological processes that influence aquatic biodiversity and fisheries resources.

Professional Experience

Dr. Kibria currently serves as Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge) of BGC Trust University Bangladesh. He previously served as Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Chittagong and also served as Chairman of the Department of Zoology. His professional career in higher education has included teaching, academic administration, research supervision, research coordination, and institutional leadership. He also serves as Coordinator of the Halda River Research Laboratory at the University of Chittagong and has undertaken professional responsibilities involving river research, aquatic resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental assessment.

Research and Scientific Contributions

His research encompasses limnology, fisheries biology, river and wetland ecology, aquatic biodiversity, fish spawning and breeding ecology, aquatic environmental assessment, ichthyoprotozoology, aquatic parasitology, fish health, river conservation, ecosystem services, fisheries-dependent livelihoods, and sustainable aquatic resource management. A substantial part of his research has focused on the Halda River, one of Bangladesh’s important natural fish spawning ecosystems. His scientific work has addressed fish diversity, natural carp spawning, water quality, pollution, benthic and plankton communities, river-dependent communities, aquatic genetic resources, and the conservation of aquatic species and habitats.

Research Publications

Dr. Kibria has published extensively in national and international scientific journals and scholarly publications in the fields of zoology, fisheries, aquatic ecology, biodiversity, environmental science, parasitology, and river conservation. His publications include research on fish diversity and conservation, environmental conditions of the Halda River, natural carp spawning, aquatic pollution, heavy metal contamination, fisheries-dependent communities, aquatic parasites, fish growth and mortality, river dolphin conservation, and genetic characteristics of important fish species. His scholarly contributions also include research reports and book contributions addressing river restoration, aquatic biodiversity, fisheries resources, and environmental management. He has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, including entries on freshwater and marine fishes.

River and Aquatic Conservation Expertise

Dr. Kibria has developed specialized expertise in river conservation and management, aquatic biodiversity protection, fisheries resource management, natural fish spawning habitats, wetland conservation, aquatic ecosystem assessment, and community participation in natural resource management. His long-term work on the Halda River has involved assessment of ecological conditions, identification of environmental pressures, evaluation of fisheries resources, investigation of pollution events, assessment of river-dependent livelihoods, and development of conservation and management recommendations. His research and professional activities have also addressed the conservation of the Ganges River dolphin and other aquatic biodiversity.

Research Project and Consultancy Experience

Dr. Kibria has served as a consultant, coordinator, research expert, and research associate in a range of aquatic and environmental research projects. His project experience includes research on DNA-based identification of Halda carp, environmental protection of the Halda River, whole-genome sequencing of the Ganges River dolphin and Indian major carps, biological assessment of canals and rivers, livelihood assessment of Halda River egg collectors, benthic population assessment, plankton and physicochemical assessment of the Halda River, environmental governance of rivers and wetlands, upstream water withdrawal and its effects on natural carp spawning, and management of the Halda River spawn fishery. These activities have involved collaboration with universities, government agencies, development organizations, research institutions, and environmental organizations.

Scientific and Technical Expertise

Dr. Kibria has extensive experience in aquatic field research, ecological surveys, fisheries resource assessment, biodiversity assessment, water-quality assessment, aquatic biological monitoring, fish spawning research, aquatic parasitology, environmental investigation, river ecosystem assessment, research report preparation, scientific consultation, and conservation planning. His professional expertise also includes stakeholder engagement, community-oriented resource management, interdisciplinary research coordination, and the integration of biological and socioeconomic information into aquatic ecosystem management.

Research Reports and Environmental Assessments

Dr. Kibria has contributed to a range of technical and scientific reports addressing aquatic ecosystems and environmental conservation. His work includes assessments of environmental protection measures for the Halda River, investigations into pollution events and fish mortality, assessments of sluice gates and water-management structures affecting river ecosystems, investigation of Ganges River dolphin mortality, assessment of upstream water withdrawal and its effects on natural carp spawning habitats, and identification of major obstacles to the conservation of the Halda River’s natural spawning ground. These assessments have involved collaboration with government ministries, universities, research institutions, and environmental organizations.

Academic and Professional Engagement

Dr. Kibria has extensive experience in academic teaching, research supervision, scientific presentations, research coordination, professional consultation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has presented research at national and international conferences and participated as a keynote speaker, panelist, resource person, and technical contributor in scientific and environmental forums. His professional engagement has included discussions and conferences concerning river conservation, transboundary water governance, aquatic biodiversity, fisheries resources, environmental management, wetland conservation, and sustainable development.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Kibria’s contributions to river research, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and scientific innovation have received national, regional, and international recognition. His recognitions include the Best River Scientist Award 2024, Mark Angelo River Award 2025, Jamal Nazrul Islam Research Excellence Award 2024, Nature Conservation Award 2023, National Environment Award 2011, National Digital Innovation Award 2011, Manthan Award South Asia 2011, and the Pride of Chittagong Award 2012. These recognitions reflect his documented contributions to river research, environmental conservation, biodiversity, and public scientific engagement.

Conservation and Professional Engagement

Dr. Kibria has been actively engaged with professional, academic, environmental, and conservation organizations working on zoology, fisheries, river conservation, biodiversity, environmental governance, and natural resource management. His professional activities have included participation in scientific societies, environmental platforms, river conservation initiatives, biodiversity organizations, fisheries research networks, and water governance forums. Through these engagements, he has contributed to scientific dialogue, conservation awareness, stakeholder participation, and research-based approaches to aquatic ecosystem management.

Role at Bangladesh Nature Foundation

As a Governing Board Member of the Bangladesh Nature Foundation, Dr. Md. Manzoorul Kibria contributes scientific and technical expertise in aquatic ecology, river and wetland conservation, fisheries biodiversity, environmental assessment, aquatic resource management, and ecosystem conservation. His extensive experience in research and conservation of the Halda River and other aquatic ecosystems provides relevant scientific support for BNF’s programmes related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, environmental research, sustainable natural resource management, and aquatic conservation.

Professional Contribution to BNF

Dr. Kibria’s combination of academic leadership, aquatic ecological research, fisheries science, river conservation, biodiversity assessment, environmental investigation, research consultancy, and stakeholder engagement provides multidisciplinary scientific support to the Bangladesh Nature Foundation. His expertise strengthens BNF’s capacity for aquatic biodiversity research, river and wetland conservation, environmental assessment, scientific documentation, conservation planning, research collaboration, and evidence-based management of aquatic and natural ecosystems.