Sundarbans reopens to tourists, fishermen after 3 months

The authorities have reopened the Sundarbans for tourists, fishermen and wood collectors after a three-month closure.

The closure was enforced to ensure the safe breeding of many wild animals.

On the first day of reopening, 75 tourists were allowed to enter the world’s largest mangrove forest by a ship named The Web around 12 am to experience tranquility and beauty of the forest, Majharul Haque, joint general secretary of Sundarbans Tour Operators.

Another ship with 40 artists entered the Sundarbans Thursday morning.

Six more ships with 250 visitors are set to enter the forest on Friday, said an official of the Forest Department.

Earlier, the Forest Department imposed the three-month ban on tourists from June 1 to August 31 in the Sundarbans, to coincide with what is the peak breeding season for most animals in the forest.

The entrance of visitors from home and abroad, fishermen, and wood and honey collectors remained restricted during this ban period. Moreover, no boats and ships were allowed to move on the rivers.

Some wood collectors (Bawal) and honey collectors (Mowal) entered the Sundarbans on Thursday after taking a pass from the Forest Department.

Tour operators, launch and boat owners have taken adequate measures to attract more tourists, said Mazharul Haque.

HM Dulal, a tour operator of the Sundarbans, expected that a large number of tourists will visit Sundarbans due to a better communication system as people can easily travel to the forest by crossing the Padma Bridge.