SHARANKHOLA, BAGERHAT, June 19: The Sundarban is once again echoing with the sounds of nature as wildlife activity has visibly increased just few days after the enforcement of a three-month entry restriction.
Deer herds grazing freely on green coastal grasslands, the movement of Bengal tigers and crocodiles, and the increased presence of birds across the world’s largest mangrove forest have created a striking scene of ecological revival.
With tourists, fishermen and forest resource users largely absent due to the seasonal ban, forest officials say the ecosystem is beginning to regain its natural rhythm.
Videos and photographs captured by forest guards show large groups of spotted deer moving fearlessly across riverbanks and open patches of land, a sight rarely observed during peak human activity.
Officials from the Chandpai Range said the restriction is imposed every year during the breeding season to ensure a safe habitat for wildlife. The current season’s early signs indicate a positive ecological response.
Md Asaduzzaman, Acting Officer of the Charaputia Forest Office under the Chandpai Range, said noticeable changes have already emerged since the ban began.
“We are seeing a significant increase in deer movement. Tiger footprints, crocodile activity, wild boars and various bird species have also become more visible,” he said.
Forest patrol teams operating across different waterways reported a higher frequency of deer sightings and increased animal movement compared to previous months. They also noted that dawn and dusk hours are now filled with intensified bird calls across several forest zones.
Environmental experts say the reduced human presence has allowed wildlife to return to their natural habitats without disturbance. The absence of engine noise from boats, tourism activity and fishing pressure has encouraged animals to roam freely in open spaces.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarban Md Rezaul Karim said the early signs are encouraging.
“Within a short time of the ban, wildlife presence has increased noticeably. It shows that animals quickly return to their natural behaviour when the environment becomes calm,” he said.
Experts believe the current transformation highlights a key ecological lesson: when human pressure eases, nature has a strong capacity to heal itself.
Once the restriction period ends, the forest will reopen to visitors and resource users. However, the recent days have once again underlined a vital truth �" the Sundarban is not only a resource for humans but also a vital sanctuary for countless species, thriving when left undisturbed.
