Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, acts as a natural wall to protect lives and homes of people living along the coasts of Bangladesh and India from cyclones and storms. But the vital forestland is shrinking due to human-induced activities.
Over the last 100 years, Sundarbans has shrunk significantly - endangering its biodiversity.
Environmentalists and experts shared the information at a discussion in Khulna Press Club recently, marking the Sundarbans Day, and called for proactive public participation to protect the mangrove forest.
Sundarbans Day is observed in Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Satkhira districts every year since 2002 with an appeal to save the largest mangrove forest in the world.
A World Bank report, titled 'Coping with climate change in the Sundarbans: Lessons from multidisciplinary studies' (published in 2020), disclosed compelling information on shrinking of the forest area.
According to the report, the total area of the Sundarbans (India's West Bengal and Bangladesh) was 11,904 sq km between 1904 and 1924. In 1967, it shrank to 11,663 sq km, and in 2016, to 11,506 sq km.
According to various sources, there are 450 small and major rivers and canals in the Sundarbans. The total length of these canals and rivers is about 350 km.
Due to tides, the banks of the rivers are eroded and formed again. Data says that in 100 years, more erosion happened, which cannot be prevented yet.
The convener of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA) Mongla zone Md Nur Alam Sheikh said, "People are continuously occupying the forestland and building homes, markets. The government must adopt a zero-tolerance policy to protect the forest, and law enforcers and forest officials must be strict in stopping encroachment."
The Sundarbans — home to numerous plants and wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger — covers an area of 6,017 sqkm in Bangladesh. It was declared a "reserve forest" in 1978.
Calling the Sundarbans "saviour of the country during natural disasters," Chairman of 'Save the Sundarbans', Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam, said that the mangrove forest has been protecting the coastal belt for ages acting as a natural shield.
"We must ensure Bangladesh is protected through securing the forest," he said.
Prof Abdullah Harun Chowdhury of the Environment Science department of Khulna University, said, "There is no room for doubt... Bangladesh will not survive if the Sundarbans does not survive. All concerned should come forward."
People's recklessness and indifference pose the biggest threats to the Sundarbans, said Officer-in-Charge of East Sundarbans Karamjal Tourism Center and Wildlife Breeding Centre, Howladar Azad Kabir, adding that if this continues, there will be no Sundarbans.
"Just celebrating Forest Day on February 14 is not enough. Everyone must be aware and come forward to save Sundarbans," he said.
