Leave Sundarbans alone

THAT the government has reopened the Shela river route for vessel movement is totally unacceptable. It is also frustrating to note that, before doing so, the authorities did not take any safeguarding measures to prevent such accidents in the future. The recent oil tanker accident proved how fragile our whole system is.

The shipping ministry said that vessels would ply the Shela river in a “controlled” way. We wonder how the government will control the vessel movements, given its weak management system. Besides, the oil tanker that sank in the Shela river was like that of a cargo vessel which carries sand, even though the structure of an oil tanker is supposed to be different with appropriate safety apparatus. As both vessels look the same, it is not possible to identify one from the other to effectively ban the movement of oil carrying vessels through the river.

Although the Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel is being posited as the only alternative to the Shela route, there are also other possibilities that the government can explore. It would be far better, for instance, if we used the Pashur channel from Chittagong. In the past, there was also another channel that went through Rupsha- Atharobidi- Madhumoti. If we reopen this now abandoned channel, small cargos and trawlers can ply the route.

If the government is willing, it can complete the dredging work of the Mongla-Khashiakhali channel, which is only 21/22 km long, in just, say, twenty days, if 10 to 15 dredgers are used together for the dredging purpose. During emergencies, for instance, after SIDR and Aila hit our coastal regions, the government cancelled the government officials' leave so that they could work continuously to handle the crisis. The communications ministry did the same in the previous years prior to the Eid festivals, in order to repair the dilapidated roads to ensure that home-bound passengers could travel safely. So if the government is sincere, the dredging work can be completed in a short time. All that is needed is good intention.

Perhaps, a world heritage site like the Sundarbans means nothing to our government officials. How can you make them understand its importance, if they do not want to understand? How can you wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep?

The environmentalists and experts can play a strong role in finding a long-lasting solution. Lastly, the government officials concerned must be committed towards solving this problem. Most importantly, there must be coordination among the government ministries concerned.

The commentator is Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science, Khulna University.