Deterioration of Sundarbans environment, urgent initiatives are needed to protect it

Masudur Rahaman: World Heritage Sundarbans. The environment of this delta has severely deteriorated in the last few decades due to various reasons, including natural disasters, shipping, and the construction of facilities. Very soon this delta will lose its beauty if proper measures are not taken to protect the Sundarbans environment. Sundarbans and Bangladesh will also be under threat.

The Sundarbans have faced severe damage due to natural disasters like Aila, Bulbul, Sidor, Ampan, and Yash. Millions of trees have been destroyed in these natural disasters. Thousands of animals of different species living in the forest died. Thousands of animals were injured.

Sources related to the forest have informed that the poachers are cutting trees and destroying the Sundarbans. The poachers are constantly hunting tigers and deer in the Sundarbans. The number of tigers and deer in Sundarbans is decreasing day by day. In addition, 13 structures have been built in the coastal area of Sundarbans in the last 12th century. These three-story structures are used as cyclone centers. It is primarily for the benefit of the coastal people but it is harming the environment of the Sundarbans. In addition to these buildings, various law enforcement agencies have built buildings for their camps. It uses large search lights and high-powered generators running 24 hours a day to keep the forest animals scared at all times. The forest environment is being destroyed by search lights and loud noise of generators.

The source also said that large ships and fishing trawlers ply through the Sundarbans area. 60 percent of the traffic is through the forest, and 40 percent is outside the forest. The sound of the ship’s hydraulic horn and the ship’s engine scares the animals of the forest.Furthermore, more than half of the year, the forest is inhabited by fishermen and wood harvesters. Fishermen catch fish using bait in beautiful forest canals. The Sundarbans are suffering severe damage, and forestation is being disrupted due to human encroachment, and the free movement of animals is being restricted.

According to a study, in the last decade, the maximum amount of oil per liter of water in the inner river of the Sundarbans was 10.8 milligrams. It has now increased to 68 mg, where the normal dose is 10 mg. Saplings are no longer growing along these rivers. Also, wild animals are no longer seen in these areas.

According to a source, there have been at least 24 fires in the Sundarbans in the last two decades, in which 82 acres of forest land have been burnt. The most fires occurred in 2006 and 2016. In these two years, there have been nine fires in the Sundarbans. About 17 acres of forest land have been burnt.

The Sundarbans are already under threat due to both natural and man-made causes. The International Union of Nature Conservation Organizations (IUCN) has recommended listing the Sundarbans as ‘World Heritage in Danger’. UNESCO has long ago made statements expressing concern about the Sundarbans’ place in the world heritage. In addition, there is the fact that the salinity of the forest will increase due to the increase in the sea level and the decrease in the supply of fresh water.

The Sundarbans have about 32 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 320 species of resident and migratory birds, and about 400 species of fish. Besides, there are innumerable insects in this forest. Therefore, to protect this natural resource of Bangladesh, it has become necessary to maintain its environment. If not, this forest will soon lose its own heritage.

In this regard, Sundarban West Divisional Forest Officer Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain said, We always want to return Sundarbans to their glory. Already 52 percent of the forests have been declared sanctuaries. Initiatives are being taken to take alternative measures for people who depend on it. Besides, strict monitoring is being done to conserve forest resources.

Sundarban Academy Executive Director Professor Anwarul Qadir said that creating any structure that conflicts with the forest environment and wildlife habitat is a suicidal act. At the same time, loud noises cannot be received by animals. So we need to protect this natural resource by restoring the beautiful forest to its own environment.