The Sundarbans is the world’s largest tidal forest adjoining to the Bay of Bengal. It is our important national resource, a reservoir of endless natural resources, and a habitat of innumerable plants and animals. However, many adverse changes have been noticed in the Sundarbans for quite a long time. The Sundarbans is constantly shrinking size, a miserable situation that has not happened overnight. Reckless activities by the people are responsible for it. The natural formation process of the Sundarbans is being disrupted due to man-made reasons, risking the ecosystem of the forest. It is easy to imagine that the Sundarbans, a part of the world heritage, will be in danger in the near future if the current situation does not change.
According to reports, the land height at six areas on the east of the forest has increased by 1.5-2 feet for more than two decades. The tidal water cannot enter there. As a result, the normal breathing of the mangrove trees is being disrupted. Disruption is also occurring in their breeding. An increase in the land height also raise fire risk. Leaf and shrub rotting is being hampered due to the land height. Litters of these leaves and shrubs in the forest soil are now increasing the risk of fire. This year, the two fire incidents in the east part of the Sundarbans testifies it.
The condition of adjacent rivers and canals is also not good. The depth of rivers is decreasing. With that, oil pollution and noise pollution are increasing. Goods and oil tankers are plying in the Sundarbans rivers freely despite a government ban. Economic activities are on the rise, declining wildlife habitat there. Above all, the Sundarbans – a reservoir of unique natural resources – is in disaster. It cannot be allowed to happen any longer. A strong state intervention is needed to protect the Sundarbans.
Although relatively small, the Indian part of the Sundarbans, we see, is much safer. The country’s forest department is working as a vigilante to keep the natural features of the Sundarbans unharmed. They have curtailed economic activities around the forest. Tourists, fishermen etc have largely been prevented from entering the forest. Connecting canals and adjacent rivers are dug regularly. They are taking scientific measures so that the process of natural formation is not disrupted in the forest. As the number of tigers and other wildlife is increasing, so is the number of mangrove trees. If India can maintain the natural balance of the forest in their part, why can’t we? Taking into account their experience, we also should take timely steps to protect the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans is indispensable not only for its economic significance but also for its being a unique natural reserve for the southern part of Bangladesh. The forest has repeatedly safeguarded the region from different natural calamities in the Bay of Bengal. It has withstood the recent cyclones – Amphan, Bulbul, Fani etc. As a result, social and economic losses have been reduced. On the other hand, it reduces pollution by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Sundarbans cover 51 percent of the country’s protected forests – a big help in the environment. Therefore, protection of the Sundarbans is needed in the national interest.
