The New Nation - Internet Edition

WHEN natural calamities as a consequence of the global climate change have increasingly been ravaging the earth, the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the globe and the world heritage site, is also facing disaster. The damage that the flora and fauna of the forest suffered in the recent cyclone is extremely devastating. Super cyclone 'Sidr' swept over the hitherto safe abode of 425 species of trees and herbs and 246 species of animals including the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger and razed innumerable trees and plants to the ground. According to the forestry official sources, the damage in the Sundarbans has preliminarily been estimated at Tk 1,000 crore. It is reported that near about 26.5 percent of the world heritage site, spread over an area of 41,14,000 hectares, has completely been damaged. Plants and animals of about 30,000 hectares have been damaged severely and those on 80,000 hectares partially.

The water inside the Sundarbans has become completely unusable due to salinity and rotten leaves and foliage. The human casualties within the Sundarbans, according to the forest office sources, were much less than what was feared. But casualties of tigers, deer and other animals could not yet be estimated. It is the trees of the Sundarbans that absorbed much of the rage of the cyclone. Otherwise, the Sidr could have been more disastrous on other areas and would have caused even more damages. This reminded all of the importance of a green belt along the coastal region. Trees not only help maintain environmental balance but also help reduce the ferocity of sea storms.

The Sundarbans had originally been extended over vast tracts of the coastal areas. But due to indiscriminate felling of trees and massive plunder of other natural resources, the forest has shrunk to less than six thousand square kilometres within Bangladesh. The number of inhabitants inside the forest has been increasing over the years. They are dependent more on the forest for livelihood. Due to increase in salinity in the rivers and canals within the forest due to diversion of water at upstreams, huge numbers of 'sundri' trees have been attacked by a disease called 'top-dying'. The existence of this forest is under double threat of man's greed and natural calamities. Only the conscious efforts of the world community can help protect this unique land of biodiversity. Since parts of the forest are spread over both Bangladesh and India, it is likely that coordinated efforts would be needed for the same.