Severe cyclone Remal that hit the coastal belts of the country on Sunday with winds reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometers put its trail of devastation in the mangrove forests as numerous infrastructures and trees have been damaged, apart from leaving 40 deer dead.
“Since Sunday afternoon, cyclone Remal’s rampage and tidal waves have caused significant damage to the wildlife of the Sundarbans,” said Mihir Kumar Doe, conservator of the Forest of Khulna Circle.
The violent storm destroyed massive infrastructure, a good number of trawlers, and numerous trees, washed away water basins, intruded saline water into over 80 sweet water ponds; and destroyed the abode of the wild animals.
“Carcasses of 40 deer and one boar were recovered, so far, 17 deer were set free to the forest after treatment, over 70 jetties, 25 forest outposts, and trees were destroyed,” Mihir added.
He said that forest employees, bawalies, fishermen, and wildlife are now facing a scarcity of sweet drinking water as saline water intruded into ponds.
Mihir warned that, besides the deer, more wild animals might have died, and forest guards are actively searching for these animals.
The cyclone has also damaged various infrastructures at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding and Tourism Center in the East Sundarbans.
“In addition to the loss of trees, various forest department offices, patrol boats, solar panels, and infrastructure have been extensively damaged,” he said.
The jetty in the Katka Sanctuary has been washed away into the Bay of Bengal by the tide. Tin sheds of infrastructure, including kitchens of 25 patrol posts and various forest offices in Dubla, Katka, Kochikhali, and Bogi, were blown away by the strong winds, he added.
Hawladar Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of the East Sundarbans Karamjal Wildlife and Breeding Centre, said that the wooden poles for tourist traffic were damaged by Cyclone Remal, and many trees were broken.
“We are yet to ascertain the entire loss caused by the cyclonic storm,” he added.
Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, chairman of the Save the Sundarbans Foundation, emphasized the importance of maintaining sufficient high hills and shelters for the wild animals of the Sundarbans.
The banks of freshwater ponds should be raised to prevent floodwater from entering, he opined.
Talking to, KaziMdNurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer of East Sundarban, told that forest officials are working to assess the damage to forest resources and wildlife caused by the cyclone.
