Sundarbans disaster for govt negligence: BNP

Oil spilled from the tanker. Photo: Star

After visiting the Sundarbans, BNP today alleged the negligence of the government in preserving the world’s largest mangrove forest.

“Though the foreign aid agencies have expressed their concerns and eagerness about preserving the Sundarbans, the government is seen careless about it,” said Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, a vice-chairman of the party.

Hafiz, who is heading the seven-member BNP’s committee formed to inspect the December 9 oil tanker capsize in the Shela River and its impacts on the Sundarbans, also said the government has taken steps to destroy the forests.

The committee formed Saturday visited the accident site and its nearby areas early this afternoon.

The other members of the committee include former BNP lawmaker Nazrul Islam Manju, Khulna City Corporation Mayor Moniruzzaman Moni, environmental activist Sheikh Faridul Islam and Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh Environmental Journalists Forum.

The tanker, Southern Star-7, carrying 3.58 lakh litres of furnace oil went down in the Shela River near in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat after a cargo vessel hit it from behind on December 9.