Save Sundarbans from all hazards

Green and cultural activists, along with civil-society leaders, urged the government to take steps to protect the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, from all hazards.

They made the call at a rally organised to celebrate "Sundarbans Day" in front of the capital's National Museum yesterday.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), National Committee to Protect Sundarbans, Buriganga Bachao Andolon, Nagorik Uddyog, Unnayandhara Trust, Nirapod Development Foundation, Bangladesh Baul and Lokosilpi Sangstha, Nogorbasi Poribesh Andolon, and Green Voice took part in the rally.

Nur Mohammad Talukdar, vice-president of Bapa, said the Sundarbans is the lungs of South Asia. It shields the country's south against natural disasters.

"We don't want development that costs the environment, forest and rivers. The government must stop allowing industries to operate there," he said.

 Alamgir Kabir, joint-secretary of Bapa, said, "We have to raise awareness among the new generation about the Sundarbans. If we fail to conserve the forest, it will incur irreparable loss for our generation."

Architect Iqbal Habib, Mihir Biswas and Ebnul Said Rana of Bapa were present among others in the rally.