Sundarbans again the saviour

The Sundarbans has once again embraced a cyclone before the storm ripped through several districts in Khulna division. 

However, primary assessments say Cyclone Bulbul has not taken a heavy toll on the coastal regions like before.

How the Sundarbans has saved the country from the ravaging storm was one of the most talked-about topics on social media in the last two days and a voice for protecting the forest was raised once again.

TOURISTS BANNED

The forest department has imposed a temporary ban on tourists in the Sundarbans to heal the wounds of the forest, Moyeenuddin Khan, conservator of forest in Khulna circle, told The Daily Star yesterday.

“Primarily, we are thinking of imposing a ban for at least one month and also a ban on fishing for 15 days. It will help the forest heal,” he said.

Officials of 63 camps in the forest have already started working to assess the damages caused by the cyclone, he said.

Some pontoons, jetties and walkways of the forest department were damaged, he said, adding that no massive destruction of trees and animals in the forest were reported.

Visiting the eastern part of the Sundarbans yesterday, our Khulna correspondent found a large number of fallen trees at different places.

TIB CALLS FOR SUNDARBAN’S PROTECTION

Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday called for highest efforts from the government to protect the Sundarbans as it acts like a shield to safeguard the country from various natural calamities.

The anti-graft watchdog also urged the government to stop all kinds of industrialisation, including the Rampal Power Plant, around the Sundarbans.

TIB came up with the demand at a press statement issued yesterday.

The role of the Sundarbans in protecting the region from different natural calamities is unquestionable, the statement read.

“The 6,170 square kilometer forest has been protecting the lives and resources in Bangladesh since many years,” said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.

The contribution of the forest has been recognised by all, including the government, the statement said.

The process of constructing a coal-based power plant at the expense of the Sundarbans is still going on despite local and global concerns, it also said.

Such an industrialisation, which poses threat to the Sundarbans, goes against the government’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.