The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The world's largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, which was damaged extensively by Cyclone Sidr on November 15 last year must be a priority of rehabilitation and conservation with a programme carefully designed not to disrupt the unique ecosystem.

According to a report of damage loss and needs assessment by the government with financial support from the European Commission the immediate strategy for the forest is not to allow any additional stress in the name of restoration to occur, which can exacerbate the damage.

The report observed that although the Sundarbans are naturally restoring and rejuvenating, the restoration of freshwater ponds inside and outside the Sundarbans should be carried out immediately to complement this process which will likely to cost Taka 10 million.

The forest department needs support of the order of Taka 69 million immediately to restore strategically important field offices and monitoring stations, which were extensively damaged in the cyclone.

The rehabilitation work for the forest department's infrastructure in Sundarbans should also include alternative arrangements for transportation and communication.

Immediate plantation programme are needed in coastal areas other than the Sundarbans, the report said and suggested that the rehabilitation programme must be supported in part by public awareness activities and will provide needed immediate employment opportunities to affected community while also helping promotion of future coastal afforestation.

Nurseries also require immediate support for plant seedlings of indigenous and sustainable species. Experience from past social forestry efforts will be needed here.

The experts suggested for medium and long term Priorities.

Among the medium term priority activities, systematic studies should be carried out on the natural restoration process underway in the Sundarbans and long-term environmental impacts of Sidr on Sunderbans ecosystem.

The effects of climate change must be integrated into the long- term plans of the forestry sector, the report said adding, the estimated cost of the medium priority strategies would be Taka 690 million.

The long term strategies should include a carefully designed and targeted public involvement and education campaigns and opportunties for carbon sequestration should explored for additional resources. The forest department will require support implement the programme.

The Sundarbans restoration programme, the report said, would be undertaken based on the studies carried out in the medium term. The integrated development of the Sundarbans will ensure a favourable environment for flora and fauna, as well as watershed protection and nature conservation management. An indicative cost of such a programme is Taka 1.7 billion.