Protect honey collectors from bandits of Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, the world's largest saltwater (mangrove) forest, is rich in natural resources. In addition to fishing and timber harvesting, many of the residents around the Sundarbans rely on honey collection. Honey collection began on April 1st, and the season will continue until May 31st. To collect honey, the honey collectors have to venture deep into the Sundarbans. However, after many years, the sudden increase in bandit activity has made the honey collectors anxious about going into the forest this year.

According to reports published in the media on Sunday (April 6th), there is no fear of crocodiles or tigers, but there is fear of the bandits. As of Saturday, only 58 permits had been issued from the Khulna and Satkhira ranges of the Sundarbans West Division, compared to 520 permits issued last year from these two ranges. The honey collectors say this is due to the resurgence of banditry in the Sundarbans. Several bandit groups are extorting money from forest dwellers by holding them hostage. As a result, the honey collectors are losing their belongings and no longer have the interest in collecting honey.

Local fishermen, boatmen, and honey collectors say that due to the presence of several bandit groups in the Sundarbans, they are losing interest in honey collection. The innocent fishermen and boatmen are being attacked because they cannot meet the bandits’ ransom demands. Entering the forest without contacting the bandits leads to torture, which is why they can no longer go into the Sundarbans as easily as before.

According to the Forest Department and police sources, since the political change on August 5th, escaped prisoners and identified criminals from the jails have also started banditry in the Sundarbans. They are confiscating everything from fishermen going to the Sundarbans, including fish, money, and mobile phones. They are also demanding large sums of money from fishermen who enter the forest.

Imtiaz Uddin, General Secretary of the Sundarbans Protection Committee, blames the indifference and mismanagement of the relevant authorities for this situation. He says that because of this, people are being forced to abandon their profession, leading to reduced revenue generation. Meanwhile, the activities of smugglers are increasing. He also warns that if the overall security of the Sundarbans is not improved, the situation may worsen. Confirming the decrease in the number of honey collectors, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans West Forest Division, A. Z. M. Hasanur Rahman, said that alongside the Forest Department, the Coast Guard and police are also vigilant in tackling the bandits. Several bandits have already been arrested in operations. The Forest Department has made special arrangements to ensure the safety of the honey collectors.

Honey collection in the Sundarbans is a traditional profession for many forest dwellers. If they lose this profession, they and their families will be left without food. We want the honey collectors to be protected from the bandits of the Sundarbans. It is urgent to begin strict enforcement by law enforcement agencies in this regard. The government must strengthen the security system of the Sundarbans to ensure the safety of the honey collectors from the bandits.