Tk 1.27 billion project for protecting Sundarbans

BAGERHAT, Mar 29 (UNB): A Tk 1.27 billion project has been taken up to arrange alternative source of income for 1 million people who are dependant on the forest for their livelihood with a view to protecting the world's largest mangrove forest. Ministry of Environment and Forest and European Union will implement the 5-year project titled Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihoods Security (SEALS) in 17 Upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans. Under the project the forest department will be strengthened by providing modern equipment and arranging training for officials. The infrastructure development and renovation work has already been started in the forest, sources said. The fishermen, woodcutters, honey, golpata and crab collectors would be given financial assistance to involve them in other businesses including fish farming, running small business, cottage industry, sewing and tourism industry for reducing pressure on the forest. Sunderbans Khulna zone forest conservator and project director M Akbar Hossain said the work on the SEALS project began in the first week of the current month. Some infrastructure development and renovation works including vessel purchase, pontoon construction would be done in the first phase and the staffs be given training for their skill development. Besides, alternative income generation would be created for 1million people who are depended on the forest for their livelihood by 2012, he said. Smuggling of forest resources and poaching of wild animals would be reduced to a great extent if the project is implemented, he added. He said a yearlong survey was conducted in the villages adjacent to the east and west zones of the Sundarbans under Integrated Protected Area Co-Management project and a list of 1 million people was prepared after the survey. DFO of Sundarban East Zone Mihir Kumer said European Union will provide Tk 910 million while the Bangladesh Government Tk 369.2 million to implement the project. Under the project, employment opportunities would be created for the people of Mongla, Moreganj and Sharankhola Upazilas of Bagerhat district, Asasuni, Kaliganj and Shyamnagar Upazilas of Satkhira and Botiyaghata, Dakop, Koira and Pikegachha Upazilas of Khulna district and Bamna, Barguna Sadar and Pathaghata Upazilas of Barguna district and Bhandaria, Mothbaria and Nesarabad Upazilas of Pirojpur district. Some woodcutters and honey collectors of Bogi village of Sharankhola Upazila including Sohrab, Jalil, Hafiz said they earn their livelihood from the Sundarbans with great risk and if they get alternative source of income they would not go to the forest. The 6000 square kilometers forest is a world heritage site, recognised by the United Nations' Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Bangladesh and India share the world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans and 62 per cent of the Sundarbans falls in Bangladesh. Due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem, the ecological importance of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) is immense. The Sundarbans is home to an estimated 425 species of wildlife, including 300 species of birds and 42 species of mammals, as well as the Royal Bengal Tigers.