Stop industrialising in the Sundarbans area

For a long time, the Sundarbans has been a focus of national attention, because this environmentally critical largest mangrove forest of the world is being jeopardized by human action - and inaction as well. The relevant authorities seem to have failed to understand the importance of the forest for the nation. Had that not been the case, they would not have allowed rampant industrialization in the areas near the forest. The failure to take effective measures to protect the forest is glaring.  

A recently released public statement of the UN confirms that the accelerating industrialization near the forest has not only threatened its unique ecosystem, it is also posing serious risks to the human rights of 6.5 million people who for their lives, health, housing, food and agricultural activities depend on the forest. And we know what will happen when these people start migrating to urban areas of the country including this overburdened capital losing their all. The ballooning of the population will stress even more the heavily stressed lives in these places destroying the balance.

That is why a cross section of people inside the country is voicing the imminent danger to the forest for long. Last year the High Court issued a directive to the government not to allow industrialization inside the 10-kilometre radius buffer zone of the forest. Beyond the country, the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee as well as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has tried to alert the people in Bangladesh responsible for the protection of the forest.

Despite these, it is lamentable that the authorities here approved more than 320 industrial projects including the most controversial Rampal coal-fired power plant in the area. But the truth is industrialization in the area is a sure recipe of disaster for the forest.

The government’s callous disregard for the forest must be shunned forthwith and positive actions for its protection have to be taken. Before further danger is done to the forest, it has to stop industrializing the forest area upholding the last year’s High Court directive. True, Bangladesh needs more industries for advancing its economy, but economic gain must not come at the expense of such great natural assets like the Sundarbans. This development will not be sustainable.          

 

Stop industrialising in the Sundarbans area

For a long time, the Sundarbans has been a focus of national attention, because this environmentally critical largest mangrove forest of the world is being jeopardized by human action - and inaction as well. The relevant authorities seem to have failed to understand the importance of the forest for the nation. Had that not been the case, they would not have allowed rampant industrialization in the areas near the forest. The failure to take effective measures to protect the forest is glaring. A recently released public statement of the UN confirms that the accelerating industrialization near the forest has not only threatened its unique ecosystem, it is also posing serious risks to the human rights of 6.5 million people who for their lives, health, housing, food and agricultural activities depend on the forest. And we know what will happen when these people start migrating to urban areas of the country including this overburdened capital losing their all. The ballooning of the population will stress even more the heavily stressed lives in these places destroying the balance. That is why a cross section of people inside the country is voicing the imminent danger to the forest for long. Last year the High Court issued a directive to the government not to allow industrialization inside the 10-kilometre radius buffer zone of the forest. Beyond the country, the UNESCOs World Heritage Committee as well as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has tried to alert the people in Bangladesh responsible for the protection of the forest. Despite these, it is lamentable that the authorities here approved more than 320 industrial projects including the most controversial Rampal coal-fired power plant in the area. But the truth is industrialization in the area is a sure recipe of disaster for the forest. The governments callous disregard for the forest must be shunned forthwith and positive actions for its protection have to be taken. Before further danger is done to the forest, it has to stop industrializing the forest area upholding the last years High Court directive. True, Bangladesh needs more industries for advancing its economy, but economic gain must not come at the expense of such great natural assets like the Sundarbans. This development will not be sustainable.