Three-month entry ban in Sundarbans from Monday for breeding season

The Forest Department has banned all entry into the Sundarbans for three months starting Monday, June 1, to ensure the protection of the forest's biodiversity, wildlife and fisheries during their breeding season. The ban will remain in effect until August 31. During this period, fishermen, honey collectors, woodcutters and tourists will not be allowed to enter the Sundarbans.

The Forest Department said June to August is the breeding season for most fish, wildlife and plants in the Sundarbans. During this time, fish spawn in rivers and canals, wildlife breeds and new saplings sprout from seeds. The three-month ban is imposed annually to maintain an undisturbed natural environment.

No passes or permits will be issued during the ban. Anyone entering the forest in violation of the ban will face legal action.

Forest officials said the movement of tourist and forest-dweller boats disrupts the natural movement and breeding of wildlife. An undisturbed environment for three months will increase the population of fish, plants and wildlife, enriching the ecological balance of the Sundarbans.

However, thousands of fishermen, honey collectors and woodcutter families who depend on the Sundarbans are expected to face financial hardship. The Forest and Fisheries Departments are working on government assistance for forest-dependent communities. Tourist boat owners and workers will also remain jobless for three months.

Crab fisherman Jamal Hossain from Burigoalini area said, "Closing passes for three months means very difficult times for fishermen like us." Another fisherman, Anisur, said coastal fishermen fall into financial crisis when they cannot enter the Sundarbans, forcing them to take loans from NGOs to survive.

Ripon Gazi, a tourist boat driver from Nildumur, said with passes suspended, no tourists can enter the Sundarbans, plunging his family into severe hardship.

Burigoalini station official Fazlul Haque of the Forest Department said the Sundarbans will reopen to everyone on September 1. The Forest Department, Coast Guard, Naval Police and Fisheries Department will conduct joint surveillance operations during this period to conserve biodiversity.