The forest department has banned entry into the forest area for three consecutive months from today Monday (June 1) to ensure the protection of the biodiversity, wildlife and fish resources of the Sundarbans during breeding season.
Under this ban, till August 31, fishermen, bawals, mauals, leaf collectors and tourists will not be able to enter the Sundarbans.
Since 2021, the forest department has been implementing this ban every year at this time to protect the Sundarbans and ensure animal reproduction. As a result, the nature of the Sundarbans has become more alive, the forest department claims.
However, Karamjal has been exempted from this ban this year. As a result, visitors will get a chance to visit Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center of Sundarbans even during this ban.
On the other hand, the ban has created uncertainty among thousands of Sundarbans-dependent families. Due to the suspension of extraction activities from the forest, the source of income is also temporarily closed. As a result, the foresters are worried about how they will live with their families for the next three months.
Fisherman Abdur Rashid of Bagi village in Southkhali union of Sharankhola upazila said, there is only one river between the Sundarbans and our house. We have been living on this Sundarban since childhood. But now it is closed again and again, year by year the shelter area increases, how will we survive. And this time the government's support does not reach the fishermen like us, it goes to the big family's house.
Fisherman Masum Hawladar said that the ban would have been better if it was two months instead of three months. It was two months ago. If we all got the support that the government is giving at this time, our suffering would be less.
On the other hand, even though the entire Sundarbans is closed, locals have questioned the decision to keep Karamjal open. Riyad Hossain, a resident of Sharankhola's Boleswar Par, said that all areas of the Sundarbans are closed. But Shunalam Karamjal will remain open. So is Karamjal outside the Sundarbans, or there are no trees, wildlife or fish? This young man named Riyad asked why there is a double policy in one forest.
According to the information of the forest department, the World Heritage Sundarbans has 289 species of land animals including Royal Bengal Tiger, Mayabi Deer, Monkey, Crocodile, Guishap, 42 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians and 219 species of aquatic animals, 290 species of birds and 344 species of plants. Of these, two species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles, 25 species of birds and five species of mammals are currently under threat. Inside the Sundarbans, these animals are in more danger due to the crowd of visitors, activities of foresters and poachers.
There are 14 tourist centers in the Sundarbans East and West Forest Divisions, which are visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. Besides, half a lakh foresters collect fish, golpata and honey at different times of the year by paying a certain amount of fee to the forest department.
Howladar Azad Kabir, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center of Sundarbans East Forest Division, said June to August is the breeding season for most wildlife and aquatic animals in Sundarbans. Also during this time many saplings grow in the forest. So the Sundarbans have been closed for these three months. As a result, the vitality of the Sundarbans will increase several times. However, for the first time this year it has been decided to open Karamjal only for visitors, said the official.
