Protecting the Sundarbans: Respond more positively

If the forest personnel work sincerely with the existing capacity, even with limitations, it is possible to deliver better in protecting forest resources

For the protection and preservation of the Sundarbans, it is as much necessary to take well-thought out decisions as it is necessary to equip the forest department with sufficient manpower and equipment. But it is sad to note that on both counts, the relevant government authorities are showing neglect to the world’s largest mangrove forest, the habitat of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and many other invaluable species of biodiversity. It is still sadder to note that the tiger population is gradually decreasing in the forest. In this situation it is very important to give serious effort to protect and preserve the forest’s remaining biodiversity.
But according to a report published in this newspaper yesterday the Khulna circle of Sundarbans Forest Division is facing an acute shortage of manpower as a result of which the department is failing to do its job of protecting the forest. The report says that at the Khulna circle, 194 of the 1,173 sanctioned posts are remaining vacant. These vacant posts include that of deputy ranger, assistant conservator, deputy conservator, forest guard, boatman, engineman, etc. While the workload of the department is increasing, the manpower shortage is getting more acute because of forest personnel are retiring from job.
While manpower shortage in the forest department is apparent and the vacant posts have to be filled, there is also a tendency among some departments of our country to shift blame of failure in work to shortage of manpower and logistic supports. If the forest personnel work sincerely with the existing capacity, even with limitations, it is possible to deliver better in anti-poaching drives. Therefore, the forest department has to be not only strengthened with manpower and sophisticated modern equipment, the department also has to be serious about protecting forest resources.
Overall, the Sundarbans, a UNESCO heritage site, has hitherto been shown neglect simply because the state has failed to realise the importance of the forest when the global climate is changing fast. The forest became several times victim of man-made error. The sinking of oil tanker at the Shela river can be explained as an accident, but the fact of the matter must be accepted that if carrying such tankers were not allowed, the oil spill endangering the forest would not have happened.
Still, the government seems to be unwavering in its decision to establish a coal-fired power plant at Rampal, close to the forest. Experts believe that such a plant would destroy the biodiversity of the forest. Therefore, in making policy decision, the government needs to be more cautious, if protecting and preserving the forest remains its aim.     

 

Protecting the Sundarbans: Respond more positively

If the forest personnel work sincerely with the existing capacity, even with limitations, it is possible to deliver better in protecting forest resources

For the protection and preservation of the Sundarbans, it is as much necessary to take well-thought out decisions as it is necessary to equip the forest department with sufficient manpower and equipment. But it is sad to note that on both counts, the relevant government authorities are showing neglect to the worlds largest mangrove forest, the habitat of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and many other invaluable species of biodiversity. It is still sadder to note that the tiger population is gradually decreasing in the forest. In this situation it is very important to give serious effort to protect and preserve the forests remaining biodiversity. But according to a report published in this newspaper yesterday the Khulna circle of Sundarbans Forest Division is facing an acute shortage of manpower as a result of which the department is failing to do its job of protecting the forest. The report says that at the Khulna circle, 194 of the 1,173 sanctioned posts are remaining vacant. These vacant posts include that of deputy ranger, assistant conservator, deputy conservator, forest guard, boatman, engineman, etc. While the workload of the department is increasing, the manpower shortage is getting more acute because of forest personnel are retiring from job. While manpower shortage in the forest department is apparent and the vacant posts have to be filled, there is also a tendency among some departments of our country to shift blame of failure in work to shortage of manpower and logistic supports. If the forest personnel work sincerely with the existing capacity, even with limitations, it is possible to deliver better in anti-poaching drives. Therefore, the forest department has to be not only strengthened with manpower and sophisticated modern equipment, the department also has to be serious about protecting forest resources. Overall, the Sundarbans, a UNESCO heritage site, has hitherto been shown neglect simply because the state has failed to realise the importance of the forest when the global climate is changing fast. The forest became several times victim of man-made error. The sinking of oil tanker at the Shela river can be explained as an accident, but the fact of the matter must be accepted that if carrying such tankers were not allowed, the oil spill endangering the forest would not have happened. Still, the government seems to be unwavering in its decision to establish a coal-fired power plant at Rampal, close to the forest. Experts believe that such a plant would destroy the biodiversity of the forest. Therefore, in making policy decision, the government needs to be more cautious, if protecting and preserving the forest remains its aim.