One lakh Sundarbans forest dwellers in crisis

The Forest Department has banned entry into the forest for three months from June 1 to August 31 to protect the biodiversity and reproduction of wildlife in the Sundarbans.

During this period, the extraction of fish, crabs and other forest resources will be completely stopped.

Although this initiative to protect the environment is welcomed, as a result, about one lakh registered and unregistered forest dwellers, fishermen, boatmen, trawler workers and tourism-related people in the Khulna Range of the Western Sundarbans are at risk of becoming unemployed.

Due to the lack of alternative income sources, there is a fear of humanitarian crisis and food insecurity for families along the coast.

Although this initiative to protect the environment is welcomed, as a result, about one lakh registered and unregistered forest dwellers, fishermen, boatmen, trawler workers and tourism-related people in the Khulna Range of the Western Sundarbans are at risk of becoming unemployed.

Due to the lack of alternative income opportunities, there is a fear of humanitarian crisis and food insecurity for families along the coast.

Liton Hossain, a forester from Mathbari village in Koyra upazila, said, “Our house has not been lit for three months during the ban. We are forced to take loans at high interest rates.

We are trapped in that debt trap all year round. If we do not get government assistance, we will starve to death.”

Enamul Kabir Ripon, president of the Koyra Katkata Boat Owners Association, said about the stagnation of the Sundarban-centric tourism and transport business, “If the boats are closed for three months, the trawler drivers, assistants and guides become completely unemployed. Government food assistance is essential at this time.”

Journalist Tariqul Islam, president of the Coast and Sundarban Conservation Movement, said, “Even if the fishermen in the sea get rice during the ban, there is no assistance for the people dependent on the Sundarbans. As a result, they lead an inhumane life.”

He also said that it is important to identify the real fishermen and bring them under VGF or food assistance. At the same time, he also demanded that the list be updated.

Maulana Mizanur Rahman, president of the Koyra Upazila Imam Parishad, said, “To protect the forest, we must first meet the financial obligations of the people who depend on it.”

Regarding the reason for the ban, Md. Shariful Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Khulna Range of the Sundarbans West Forest Division, said that this is an urgent decision to protect biodiversity.

He said, “These three months are the main breeding season for most of the wildlife and fish in the Sundarbans. During this time, the presence of people and the noise of trawlers disrupts breeding. Therefore, this ban is very important.”

Khulna District Council Administrator Monirul Hasan Bappi said that in addition to protecting the forest, the livelihood of forest-dependent people should also be given equal importance.

He informed about contacting the concerned ministry to take initiatives for VGF or special food assistance for forest dwellers.

Khulna-6 (Koira-Paikgachha) constituency MP Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said, “In addition to protecting the forest, it is important to ensure that forest-dependent people do not go hungry.

I am talking to the government about allocating special food for them.

He also said that in the future, he will also take initiatives to reduce the period of this ban to one month.