The Bangladesh government, in a sudden move, has cancelled the leaves of all forest officers and personnel posted in the Sundarbans region and asked them to intensify patrolling in the world’s largest mangrove forest during the Eid holidays.
Stricter patrolling would help keep a check at bay smugglers who could take advantage of the Eid holidays to cut trees or hunt deer in the Sunderbans, officials said.
Khulna Circle Forest Conservator Moinuddin Khan, said: “The usual norm is to allow some of the forest personnel to take leave of absence during Eid holidays, but this year everyone has been asked to stay on duty.”
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, officials of all government, semi-government, autonomous and private organizations, and banks and financial institutions have also been asked to remain at their respective workstations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
