In the southwest of Bangladesh, near the Bay of Bengal, in the estuary of the Padma, Meghna, and Brahmaputra rivers, a large forest known as the Sundarbans has grown. This forest has a unique ecosystem because of the combination of fresh water from the Himalayas and saline water from the Bay of Bengal. The striped Royal Bengal tiger, Golpata, Tides, and Mouals spring to mind when we learn of the Sundarbans. The beautiful fusion of various plant species and the assemblage of wildlife enhance the attractiveness of this woodland. Two thirds of the Sundarbans belong to Bangladesh, and the remaining portion to India, following the partition of the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Forest Act of 1878 designated the Sundarbans as a reserved forest, including the entire region.
Although the origin of the name of the Sundarbans is unclear, it is often believed to have come from the name of the stunning tree that grows in this forest. In multiple assessments, Bangladeshs International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Sundarbans as one of the worlds most biodiverse regions. Experts on nature and wildlife attribute the Sundarbans great biodiversity mostly to its geographic position and process of formation. The Bangladesh Forest Department states that its area is approximately 6,01,700 hectares, or 4.13 percent of the nations total area and 38.12 percent of the forest land under its jurisdiction. UNESCO designated the 1,39,700 hectare Sundarbans forest area, which includes three animal sanctuaries, as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Sundarbans plays an important role in the national economy as well as in the economy of southwestern region of Bangladesh. It is the single largest source of total forest resources of the country and providing a large part of the raw material for industries dependent on wood. According to a research report, the contribution of Sundarbans to our national economy is more than 5000 taka per year. The Sundarbans are not only beautiful in name, but also have impressive structures flora and fauna. Numerous known and unknown plants and animals have been contributing to the balance of the countrys environment for ages. 400 rivers and 200 canals flow through the chest of Sundarbans. There are about 400 species of fish in these rivers and canals. Economically important species include 20 species of shrimp, 7 species of crabs, 6 species of oysters and other species.
Every component of Sundarbans has economic importance. The wood of Sundari and Gewa has a reputation in the country and abroad. The wood of these trees is used to make pencils, crayons, newsprint paper, daily furniture, boats etc. Keora is one of the notable trees of Sundarbans. This salt tolerant tree prevents erosion of coastal soils, gives soil strength and fertility. Apart from this, Sundarbans fisheries are a major source of income for the people living in the area, from which it is possible to earn a lot of money without any investment. Mouals collect a lot of honey and beeswax from the Sundarbans, which fulfills the countrys honey demand as well as providing employment.
The Sundarbans, often referred to as Bangladeshs "lungs" function as a massive oxygen factory. In 2018, the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences of Chittagong University (IFESCU) published a research report stating that during Cyclone Sidr, the Sundarbans preserved resources valued at approximately 100,000 crores in the countrys southwest. Researchers estimate that the damage would have been significantly greater had the Sundarbans not existed. Since 1960, Amphan has been the cyclone with the longest duration and the largest dispersion, according to data from the Meteorological Department.
The Sundarbans are one of the reasons why this cyclone, which is the longest in Bangladeshi history and covers a large region, caused less damage and killed fewer people than the cyclones in 1991, 2007s Sidr, or Aila in 2009.At a speed of 151 km, Amphan hit Satkhira, Bangladesh, but before that, the Sundarbans slowed down the storm considerably. The height of the tidal wave accompanying the cyclone is expected to be 15 to 18 feet, but due to the Sundarbans, it will come down to 10 to 12 feet when it hits the coast. As a result, the loss of life and property of coastal people is reduced.
Among these is the function of rivers in preserving the Sundarbans biodiversity. However, one of the current causes of river water pollution is the passage of coal and oil ships in the rivers surrounding the Sundarbans. Furthermore, the Sundarbans could eventually be in danger due to the ongoing Rampal power project. because rivers must be used in the transportation of coal, one of the raw materials used to generate electricity. In addition, different radioactive wastes and/or hot water from the production of electricity could contaminate river water and harm the rivers ecology. We are continuously destroying the Sundarbans, sometimes for the sake of development and other times because of the interests of a select few or of people.
The Sundarbans ecosystem is becoming more and more vulnerable due to indiscriminate deforestation and wildlife killing. In the previous 37 years, the Sundarbans area has shrunk by 140 square kilometers as a result of rising sea levels, river erosion, unauthorized settlements, and unchecked logging. The Sundari tree, a representation of beauty, has declined by roughly 28.75%. In 2002, an Asian Development Bank-funded study was conducted on oil contamination in the Sundarbans. According to the research document, the study suggested gathering premium tools and supplies to prevent severe harm to the Sundarbans from oil pollution. However, even after eighteen years, the proposal has not been carried out.
"The Sundarbans is the only breathing forest in the world, where new land is still being formed by sedimentation," stated the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). In these areas, breathing woods have organically grown. Deer, snakes, and tigers are among the animals that are migrating to the Sundarbans from other areas.
Ten hazards to the Sundarbans were identified by UNESCO in December 2019. Some of the issues include unlawful operations, pollution, rising sea levels, and dredging of livestock rivers. As a result, we must put into practice a thorough action plan to safeguard the Sundarbans that takes into account the concerns raised by UNESCO.
Bangladesh will lose 30% of its food production and 17% of its land by 2050, according to a recent IPCC assessment. Bangladeshs coastal regions and the residents who live there would therefore be the most negatively impacted. Bangladesh is continuously at risk from the negative effects of many natural disasters brought on by climate change. Increasing sea levels and decreased freshwater flows in northern rivers are two of these hazards.
As a result of seawater intrusion, the soil and rivers in Bangladeshs southern area are now salinized. In order to prevent such tragedies, we must safeguard the Sundarbans. Adopting a long-term plan for the sustainable management and protection of the Sundarbans in the interest of the country is imperative.
The writer is a teacher, writer and researcher, BUET
