Sundarbans reopened after three-month closure

After three months of closure, the Sundarbans is open from today for fishers, other forest-based livelihood earners, and tourists.

The world's largest mangrove forest was closed for all types of foresters, including tourists, from June 1 to August 31 by the forest department to ensure the breeding of wild animals and fish.

The eco cottages in the area are also preparing to extend a warm welcome to eager tourists.

The director of Sundari Eco Resort, Md Saiful Islam, said, "We have completed all the arrangements to welcome the tourists."

Rubel Hossain, a trawler driver of Mongla Ghat, said, "We were unemployed for three months due to the closure of the forest. Hopefully, I can get back to work tomorrow."

Mohammad Belayet Hossain, divisional forest officer (DFO) of East Sundarbans Division, said about the closure, "At this time, wildlife and fish species can roam freely and reproduce without any interruption as the forest remains noise-free. As a result of the initiative, the Sundarbans came back to life in these three months."

Following its reopening, the forest department has imposed certain regulations for those seeking to explore the world's largest mangrove forest.

"Single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles and packets of chips, will not be permitted within the forest. Tourists, tour operators, and foresters will be informed of these new guidelines while seeking permission to enter the Sundarbans from the forest department," the forest official told UNB.

According to the Forest Department, the Sundarbans currently have 375 species of wildlife, including 114 Royal Bengal Tigers, 2,00,000 deer, 334 species of plants, including Sundari, 165 species of algae, 13 species of orchids, and 300 species of birds. There are 291 species of fish, including crocodiles and six species of dolphins, in 1,874 square kilometres of wetlands inside the Sundarbans.