Fire breaks out in Sundarbans

Bagerhat Correspondent :

Although the recent fire at Kalamteji under Chandpai Forest Range in the Eastern Division of Sundarbans (Bagerhat district) was brought under control, a new fire has broken out in the Gulishakhali Forest Patrol Outpost area, just one kilometer away.
A large plume of smoke was spotted in the area, prompting immediate action from forest officials. Drone footage taken on Sunday around 9:00 AM confirmed the presence of a new fire approximately one kilometer northwest of Kalamteji. By 9:30 AM, the Forest Department reported fires in at least three locations near the Gulishakhali outpost, with smoke visibly increasing.
Previously, a fire adjacent to the Kalamteji Patrol Outpost, within Dhansagar Forest Station under Chandpai Forest Range, was successfully controlled after extensive efforts by the Forest Department, Fire Service personnel from five stations-Sharankhola, Morrelganj, and Bagerhat-and local volunteers. The firefighting operation continued throughout Saturday night.
In response to the new outbreak, a three-member investigation committee has been formed, led by Deepen Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Chandpai Forest Range. The committee has been tasked with determining the cause of the fire and must submit its report within seven working days.
Sakir Haidar, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of Bagerhat Fire Service, stated that five fire units from Bagerhat, Morrelganj, and Sharankhola have been deployed to combat the blaze. These areas are located at least three kilometers from the Sundarbans fire site.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim of the Eastern Division of Sundarbans confirmed that the initial fire in Kalamteji was detected by forest workers around 1:00 PM on Saturday. Immediate action was taken, and the fire in that area has now been fully contained.
This incident follows a devastating fire on May 4, 2024, at Latiofer Chila within Amurbunia under Chandpai Forest Range, which burned 798 acres of forest land, resulting in an estimated loss of Tk. 11.58 lakh.