More than half of Sundarbans now designated as sanctuary
UNB
Bagerhat: All the recent attention drawn by a coal-fired powerplant under construction just outside what is known as the ecologically critical area of the Sundarbans, may lead one to think Bangladesh views its relationship with the worlds largest mangrove forest exploitatively, reports UNB.
Less highlighted in the headlines and even lesser debated in late-night talkshows are some of the long-term measures taken towards a sustainable future for the outstanding beauty and essential biodiversity offered by the forest.
Areas designated as sanctuaries - and hence subject to a total ban on any activity that seeks to exploit its wild resources for commercial or any other gain have been expanded, for the protection of wildlife as well as sustainability of the worlds largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.
Now more than half the Sundarbans total area (in Bangladesh) is designated as sanctuary, which will be very helpful for the protection of wildlife in the mangrove forest.
The government imposes a ban on collection of all types of wild resources from areas designated as sanctuaries in the forest.
According to a new notification issued by government, total area designated sanctuary is now 317,950 hectares where previously only 139,699 hectares was covered as such.
Wildlife specialists said that the expansion of the sanctuary-designated area0 will be helpful for preserving biodiversity of the forest. Besides, forest resources will also increase.
Earlier, the government declared three areas -Sundarbans East, Sundarbans West and Sundarbans South as sanctuaries in 1996, covering 23 percent of the total area of Sundarbans.
Recently, government issued a notification on the expansion of sanctuary areas in different parts of the forest:
The areas of the Sundarbans East under Sarankhola range was 31,226 hectares where a total 91,693 hectares has been added.
Besides, a total 38,339 hectares area has been expanded with 36,970 hectares area in Sundarbans south under Khulna range and a total 48,216 hectares area has been added with 71,502 hectares area of Sundarban West under Satkhira range.
The Sundarbans is the worlds largest coastal mangrove forest which is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. The total areas of the Sundarbans is 6,017 Sq kilometres.
Md Amir Hossain, forest conservator of Khulna circle said that now the sanctuary areas of the Sundarbans amount to more than 50 percent of the total area of the forest. Now, the collection of all types of forest resources including fish in the sanctuary areas has been banned. The Forest Department would not give any permit to fishermen, Bawals and Mowals which will result in decreasing pressure of people.
He also said that in a survey it has been seen that the fish resources and the number of wild animals already increased in the sanctuary areas.
The forest conservator also said that newly drawn maps including the new sanctuary areas has been sent to different camp and station. Besides, the fishermen are being informed about the areas when they are being provided permits for fishing.
Besides, he also hoped that the activities of a project titled Sundarbans Protection will be started soon after approval of ECNEC.
Alternative employment will be managed for people dependent on the forests resources - like the bawals and mowals - once the project is approved, he added.
Md Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarban East, said that the dependents already have been informed about the new situation. Besides, a notice on this regard will be hanged at different points soon.
Professor Dr. Md Anwarul Islam, chairman of Zoology department of the Dhaka University, and also chief executive of Wild Team, said that the expansion of the sanctuary areas will boost the biodiversity of the forest and protect it.
Besides, the ecosystem of the Sundarbans will be stabilised through an initiative such as this, Prof Anwar added.
