Protecting our Wonder of Nature

Khalilur Rahman The world's largest mangrove forest- the Sundarbans- could not find its place in the provisional list of new seven wonders of nature. Voting for the seven wonders was closed on November 11 last. In 2007 the New Wonders Foundation announced the competition in which anybody across the world could cast a vote through Email, Phone calls, SMS etc. This is for the first time voting took place globally to select new wonders of nature. According to preliminary results announeed on November 12 last, the new seven wonders are: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Table Mountain. The ministry of environment is hopeful that some changes may take place before the final list is released. The names of the winners will be announced early next year at an official ceremony. Whatever may be the final results, the Sundarbans will continue to remain as a wonder of nature with its tremendous impact on global climate change, affecting the lives of millions. But at the same time we must also take note of the fact that the forest is now in danger mainly due to gross human interference, excessive salinity and pollution. Salinity and river erosion have started taking their tolls on the green belts that surround the Sundarbans. Environmentalists fear that if corrective measures are not taken right now the green belts around the mangrove forest will face a serious threat to their existence. Already excessive salinity has resulted in the deaths of a large number of trees and vegetations in the coastal areas including Sarankhola and Morrelganj. Vast tracts of land along the coastal areas of the forest have been devoured by river erosion. Excessive saline water and heavy deposit of sand at the roots of trees following Cyclone Sidr and Aila in 2007 and 2010 have destroyed a large number of plants and trees such as Kewra, Huila, Palm and coconut. Earlier in this column we pointed out that the Sundarbans also faces serious threat to its ecosystem following dumping of huge industrial and household wastes into the river Bhairab that flows through it. Burnt oil from all sorts of vessels plying in the Bhairab has further aggravated the situation. Moreover, the government plan to set up a coal-run power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, a shipyard and a silo at Chandpai area will cause considerable damage, according to Green activists, to the forest. Gross human interference and natural calamities continue to deal serious blow to the Sundarbans which covers an area of 6,017 square kilometres south of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts along the Bay of Bengal. Untreated wastes from various industries, garbage from hospitals and disposal of raw sewage from Khulna city into the Bhairab river are taking place round the clock. On the other hand, huge quantities of solid and liquid wastes from the costal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Mongla sea port are damaging the ecosystem. Different species of birds in the forest have already gone extinct. On the other hand, the number of tigers in the Sundarbans is fast decreasing as poachers in connivance with a section of unscrupulous forest department officials continue to kill those. Shortage of sweet water and food after cyclonic storms Sidr and Aila battered the Sundarbans, has also gravely affected the wildlife. Forest department sources say 440 tigers including 221 adults now inhabit the Sundarbans. The number of the Royal Bengal Tigers is decreasing gradually in the absence of a comprehensive plan to protect them. Organised gangs of poachers are active in the Sundarbans. The existing law provides punishment for a period of six years in jail and fine of Taka 50,000 only. In order to stop poaching stringent law with its proper implementation is necessary. We know that the Sundarbans plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance of Bangladesh. The importance of the forest which has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO can hardly be overemphasised. Concerted efforts should be made to protect it from all sorts of human interferences. It is difficult to maintain vigilance over the vast forest area -- criss-crossed by innumerable rivers and canals -- by law enforcers and forest officials alone. As such mass awareness among the people, particularly those who are living in large number of villages adjoining the forest, is essential. Side by side, the forest department guards require proper training and modern transports to nab poachers. It is the duty of all to preserve the world heritage site for the sake of our survival. (Email: khalilbdh@gmail.com)