Necessary efforts and strict management can save Sundarbans-Experts

Strengthening the vigilance of forest workers, awareness of Mowal, Baowali, fishermen and other users and responsible efforts by local villagers and tourists can save the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Several environmental experts, especially those who have worked with the environment, climate change and the Sundarbans, said this on Monday while speaking to the BSS after the recent devastating fire at Ambonia under the Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Forest recently.

“It is necessary to strengthen the vigilance of both forest workers and users, especially Mouali, Baoali, tourists, fishermen and villagers, bordering the Sundarbans,” said Professor Anwarul Kadir, director of Sundarban Academy, a non-governmental organization based in Khulna.

‘Usually men started fires in the forest for their own interests. It is not possible to extinguish fire due to the friction between the trees as the Sundarbans is the mangrove forest,” he said.

He said separate forest management is necessary to protect the Sundarbans, adding that the establishment of the Sundarbans Ministry can save the mangrove forest like West Bengal in India.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, Khulna division coordinator of BELA, an NGO, told BSS on Monday that men have been causing fire incidents in the Sundarbans for the past few years.

Negligence of the Forest Department in not taking action against criminals involved in the fire incidents in the previous inquiry report in the Sundarbans, he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury said at a press conference here last night that although the fire was fully contained, officials are still under observation.

The area remains dry all year round, except during the rainy season. In the rainy season, organic materials are generated by the leaves that fall in the dry season. As a result, fire breaks out easily in this area of ​​the Sundarbans, he said, adding that though the fire is under control, firefighting activities will continue there in the coming days, he said.

In response to a query, there is no evidence of fire in the area where the fire broke out and even within a short time a team of experts will be formed and they will submit their findings within 10 working days and we will start working on findings accordingly.

However, he said fire had broken out in the Sundarbans mangrove forest at least 25 times in the past 22 years.

The Sundarbans is the world’s largest uninterrupted tidal mangrove forest, covering an area of ​​10,000 square kilometers. About 6,017 square kilometers are in Bangladesh, of which about 69 percent is land and 31 percent is underwater.

This unique forest is characterized by its diversity of wildlife and its upstream watershed, which is influenced by salty ocean currents and muddy sediments. The Sundari tree is the main plant found in these mangroves, and many believe the name ‘Sundarban’ is derived from it.

The significance and role of the Sundarbans in this region are unparalleled as the vast majority of this forest area covers the territory of Bangladesh.