All the river routes in and around the Sundarbans should be closed permanently to heavy-duty vessels carrying harmful fuels and chemicals to protect the world's largest mangrove forest, experts suggested Monday.
At a press conference held in Dhaka to project the harm done by the recent oil-tanker capsize, they also demanded a halt to all activities relating to setting up power plants in and near the Sundarbans.
The National Committee for Protection of Oil-Gas and Mineral Resources, Electricity Sector and Ports (NCPOGMREP) organised the press conference where it demanded fair compensation for the local people affected by oil spill.
They also called for immediate supply of necessary protective health equipment to the locals who are mopping up the oil from the Shela and Pashur rivers without any precaution.
Their demands were tabled at the press conference, titled 'The Sundarbans in a Great Danger: An Investigation and Necessary Initiatives', held at the Muktibhaban in the city.
The oil slick started in the Sundarban rivers on December 9 morning when the OT Southern Star-7 carrying 0.35 million litres of furnace oil sank in the River Shela after the ship was hit by another tanker -- MT Total. The OT Southern Star-7 was carrying furnace oil for a power plant in Gopalganj.
Reports say the oil spill adversely impacted on the total ecosystem in the world's largest mangrove forest.
The National Committee demanded forming a committee comprising ministries concerned and experts to assess and measure the damages done by oil seepage in the forest and adjoining rivers. Based on assessment, the committee should suggest necessary actions.
The Committee also declared nationwide protest programme for December 22 to press home their 11-point demand, which was tabled at the conference.
Biodiversity specialist and Zoology teacher at Dhaka University Prof Abul Bashar said biodiversity consists of three elements: ecosystem, species, and genetic resources.
"The Sundarbans is a great combination of these three elements," he said.
Professor Bashar said among the three elements, most important one is composed of genetic resources.
The recent accident in the Sundarbans will definitely affect the three elements.
"If the genetic resource is affected, we can realise the consequences in its second or third generation," he said.
The Zoology teacher said: "To protect Sundarbans, we will have to search for the real reason behind the Sundarbans oil spill and we have to stop doing such things which could lead to a similar disaster in future."
He said the plying of heavy vessels with harmful products (harmful for Sundarbans ecosystem) like fossil fuels and chemicals should be strictly prohibited.
He lambasted the speech of the shipping minister who recently said that the oil spill would not harm the Sundarbans seriously.
Prof Anu Muhammad, member-secretary of the National Committee, presiding over the programme, said the recent statement of the shipping minister was 'irresponsible and unscientific'.
He said: "Such comments have been delivered deliberately for giving the message that the government will not stop plying heavy vessels through the Sundarbans."
Kollol Mostofa, member of the National Committee, showed through a power-point presentation that both inertia and non-cooperation among the government agencies were responsible for the massive spread of furnace oil in the Shela and other rivers flowing through the Sundarbans.
Mr Mostofa claimed that violating national and international laws, the Shannashi-Bogi-Dudhmukhi-Horintana-Andharmanik-Mrigamari-Chandpai-Jaymonirgole river route was introduced in 2011 by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
The India-Bangladesh River Protocol played the prime role in opening the route, he told the meet.
Kollol Mostafa criticised the authorities for their inability and unwillingness in providing necessary equipment to the local people who are moping up oil with bare hands, which may cause serious diseases.
"Isn't it a responsibility of the forest ministry to provide gloves, socks and other sorts of equipment to the people?" he questioned.
"Children are also collecting oil with free hands which may create chronic diseases," he said.
Tanzim Uddin Khan, teacher of International Relations at DU, who visited the spot, presented a report on the Sundarbans oil spill.
The paper says that 'containment boom (containment boom is a temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill)' should have been deployed immediately after the incident which could prevent expansion of oil over a vast area.
"But, floating booms were applied three days after the incident when furnace oil had spread over nearly 100 kilometres by the time," says the spot account of the situation.
The National Committee's 11-point demand includes imposing permanent ban on all river routes for heavy vessels carrying with harmful fuels and chemicals in the Sundarbans.
They also demanded halt to all activities regarding two power plants at Rampal and Orion site near the mangrove forest -- a World Heritage Site.
The protesters also demanded proper concession for the people whose livelihood depends on the forest.
The NCPOGMREP also demanded capital punishment for the persons operating the ship which hit and wrecked the OT Southern Star-7.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
