Sundarbans to reopen 1 Sept as 3-month ban revives flora and fauna

The Sundarbans will reopen to tourists and forest-dependent communities on the day after tomorrow (1 September) following the conclusion of a three-month seasonal ban aimed at protecting the ecosystem and facilitating animal breeding.

The entry of visitors, fishermen, and honey collectors into the mangrove forest was restricted from 1 June to 31 August.

According to the Forest Department, enhanced vigilance during this period led to a reduction in forest crimes compared to the previous year, allowing nature to regenerate and wildlife to thrive.

Preparations are currently underway by the Forest Department to reopen the forest.

Measures include issuing valid passes and permits to fishermen and bawalis, regulating vessel movement, managing entry, and strengthening monitoring to safeguard biodiversity and forest resources.

Tourism centres across the mangrove will also reopen for domestic and international visitors.

With human presence absent over the three-month period, wildlife activity has visibly increased. Spotted deer herds were seen grazing freely on riverbanks, crocodiles basked on canal shores, and bird species populated the canopy.

Rain washed over the foliage, bringing fresh growth to sundori, gawa, goran, and golpata trees.

Data from the Forest Department reveals that forest guards conducted 63 drives between June and August this year, filing 39 cases related to forest crimes.

During these operations, officials arrested 37 individuals and seized 12 trawlers, 50 boats, 55 fishing nets, 28 bottles and two litres of liquid poison, and 6,290 deer poaching traps.

Authorities also recovered 186 kilograms of poisoned fish, 736 kilos of crabs, 1,562 fish traps, 2,000 fishing hooks, 170 kilos of honey, and two sacks containing 5 kilograms of dried fish.

Forest officials noted that crime levels were higher during the same period last year.

Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Forest Division in Bagerhat, said that the department has become more vigilant and technology-driven to protect wildlife and natural resources.

He stated that regular special operations, smart patrolling, and drone surveillance in remote forest areas have significantly curbed illegal deer poaching and poison fishing.

He added, "fish populations in rivers and canals have increased, alongside the unhindered movement and breeding of tigers, deer, and other animals. Reduced noise pollution, lower tourism pressure, and fewer illegal entries have led to a visible transformation of plants and wildlife in the deep forest".

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam remarked that a designated period of quiet is essential to maintain the natural balance of any forest.

He noted that with reduced human pressure, the forest ecosystem begins to heal itself, proving effective for the breeding of wild animals, including tigers and deer.

He added that saplings of keora, sundori, and bain trees are growing rapidly without obstruction, increasing forest density.

According to Forest Department data, the Sundarbans supports 289 species of terrestrial animals, including Bengal tigers, barking deer, monkeys, crocodiles, and lizards.

The forest is home to 42 mammal species, 35 reptiles species, eight amphibian species, 219 aquatic species including various fish, 290 bird species, and 344 plant species.

Among these, two amphibian species, 14 reptile species, 25 bird species, and five mammal species hold special status.

Following recommendations from the Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP), the entry ban was initially observed from 1 July to 31 August starting in 2019.

In 2022, the duration was adjusted in coordination with the Department of Fisheries to run from 1 June to 31 August. During the ban, unemployed fishermen receive food assistance from the Department of Fisheries.