Sundarbans to the rescue again

Recognised as the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to a diverse wildlife, the Sundarbans holds numerous benefits for our ecosystem. Apart from serving as the “lung” for the nation, it also plays a major role as a guard for us during cyclones. During such times, it is the Sundarbans that shields us from natural disasters, serving as a defence mechanism as it did when Cyclone Bulbul hit Bangladesh on Sunday. But we remain rather careless towards nature.  

Our actions risk the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, so much so that Unesco has declared the forest as a “World Heritage in Danger” site. Climate change too poses a threat to this great forest, along with the establishment of industrial projects around the Sundarbans. Even its wildlife including tigers, deer, snakes, birds, fish, etc. are at risk due to illegal poaching, oil spills and other factors. We must all appreciate that the Sundarbans provide for us. I hope the government will impose stricter laws to save it. Over the years, our greed has worsened the situation and if we continue to ignore it, soon we will have to face the wrath of nature.

Md Zillur Rahaman, Gandaria, Dhaka