Save Sundarbans from disaster

Thousands of years ago, around 60 percent of the Earth's land area was covered by forests. Over time, fundamental changes in climate, glacial activities, temperature variations, and human activities have led to extensive deforestation. Currently, large forest areas are being destroyed mercilessly by human activities such as indiscriminate tree cutting.

The existence of the Sundarbans can be traced back to ancient times. Both geography and history suggest that the Sundarbans region was formed around two thousand years ago. The evidence of the Sundarbans' existence is also found in the travel accounts of a missionary named 'Nicolas Payman.'

In the course of time, the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, has been brought under scientific management. After the establishment of the Bengal Forest Department under British rule, the Sundarbans was declared a protected forest in 1875-76 under the Forest Act of 1865. However, are we currently able to conserve the Sundarbans effectively?

Various media reports indicate that the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, is losing its beauty and wealth. In recent times, the cutting of trees in that forest has come down to almost zero, but the smuggling of deer meat and tiger skin has not stopped. Rivers and canals are being polluted by unscrupulous individuals who use poison for fishing, causing environmental damage. Additionally, due to the lack of eco-friendly tourism, pollution is increasing in the Sundarbans. Therefore, the diverse fauna of this forest is now facing a serious threat.

At present, there are 3,840 tigers in their natural habitat in 13 countries worldwide. Among them, according to the census of 2018, there are 114 tigers in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. However, according to the census of 2004, there were 440 tigers in the Sundarbans. In other words, in 15 years, the number of tigers in the forest has decreased by 326. Alongside tigers, deer hunting has also not ceased in the Sundarbans. According to the recent census of the Forest Department, the number of tiger cubs in the Sundarbans has almost doubled compared to the previous year. It is estimated that the overall tiger population in the Sundarbans may increase by 20 to 30 percent compared to last year.

However, this is true, many people have been arrested for the crime of cutting trees, killing tigers and deer, as well as for smuggling in the Sundarbans. These poachers are very powerful. People are afraid to testify against them. They use this opportunity to get out of the loopholes of the law and indulge in crime again.

Hopefully, those who provide information about the criminals involved in the killing of wild animals in the Sundarbans are currently being rewarded. As a result, if someone hunts deer, that information is being disclosed. Because of this, some wrongdoers are apprehended by the administration. However, even after that, environmental degradation and wildlife killings in the forest continue.

On the flip side, even if the foresters are freed from the hands of forest bandits of Sundarbans, but the Sundarbans are not freed from the sufferings of poison. As a result, once a fish is hunted with poison in a canal, within the next 15 days no fish is found in that canal, not even fish eggs are found.

Basically, colluding with a corrupt administration, some local influential individuals, and businessmen are continuously poaching of tigers and deer, as well as destroying forests for years.

When discussions on this matter take place in newspapers, some efforts and commitment from the relevant authorities are showcased. However, after that, everything returns to the same state. It must be remembered that this forest is our shield against natural disasters.

Therefore, to prevent deforestation, illegal fishing and killing and trafficking of wild animals, there is no alternative to take strict action against those involved in these crimes as per existing laws.