Ban vessel movement, save forest

Transparency International Bangladesh has expressed concern over the recent shipping ministry decision not to impose a permanent ban on plying of commercial vessels through the Shela river in the Sundarbans.

TIB in a press release yesterday demanded a ban on the operation of such vessels in all the routes through the Sundarbans immediately for saving the world's largest mangrove forest and its biodiversity.

Despite repeated pleas by the environment ministry, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on Sunday said his ministry was not considering “any permanent ban at the moment.”

The issue has become a matter of grave concern after an oil tanker carrying 3.58 lakh litres of furnace oil sank in the river on December 9.

A temporary ban on vessels plying the river is on and the ban will be in place till a further notice, but environmentalists have been demanding a permanent ban.

In yesterday's press release, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the recent capsize of the oil tanker showed how risky the water routes inside the Sundarbans could turn sometimes.

Plying motorised vehicles inside the forest violates the national and international rules and standards, he claimed, adding the people involved in permitting vessel operation inside the Sundarbans had to take the responsibility for its devastation.

Without government initiatives, the forest would not only lose its honour of being a world heritage site but also would face the threat of extinction soon, Iftekharuzzaman said.

“Otherwise, the government must take the responsibility for the pollution of the Sundarbans,” he added.

Besides, the lack of manpower and modern equipment during such a “national disaster” reveals the government's terrible foresight, Iftekharuzzaman alleged.