Anisur Rahman Khan :
Experts and conservationists are urging the creation of artificial islands within the Sundarbans to protect wildlife from the increasing threat of cyclones.
This proposal comes in response to the devastating impact of severe Cyclone Remal, which has claimed the lives of at least 115 wild animals, mostly deer, in the region.
Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests for the Khulna region, reported significant damage to the Sundarbans’ ecosystem.
“While it will take more time to fully assess the extent of the damage to trees and wildlife, initial estimates put the damage to various infrastructures at around Tk 6.27 crore,” Doe said.
Abdus Sobhan, former Additional Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE), highlighted the growing challenges and told the The New Nation, “The intensity of storms will increase in the days to come due to climate change. It will be a big challenge to save the wildlife of the Sundarbans.”
He suggested constructing artificial high islands within the forest to provide refuge for wildlife during natural disasters.
Sobhan also emphasized the importance of preserving deep forests without cutting trees and creating green belts.
“It’s crucial to strictly enforce laws against those responsible for setting fires in the Sundarbans and to control poaching of vulnerable species. Protecting the Sundarbans from encroachment is urgently needed,” he added.
According to Mihir Kumar Doe, the aftermath of Cyclone Remal has been particularly severe. “At least 111 dead deer were recovered from the Sundarbans in six days by members of the Forest Department. Additionally, carcasses of four pigs were found in several areas, including Kotka, Kochikhali, Karamjal, Pakhi Char, Dimar Char, Shelar Char, and Narikel Baria,” Doe reported.
The Forest Department also rescued 18 deer and one python in critical condition, providing first aid before releasing them back into the forest. Doe described the unprecedented situation caused by the cyclone, explaining that successive high tides flooded vast areas of the Sundarbans, with water heights reaching 10 to 12 feet.
“The tidal water created by the storm surge spread deep into the Sundarbans, causing the deer to float. However, they could not swim to the shore and may have died as a result,” he explained.
Over 100 ponds in the forest were flooded with saline water, distressing both wildlife and local residents. An 11-kilometer area known as Gol Bagan was also severely damaged.
In 2007, Super Cyclone Sidr, originating in the Bay of Bengal, ravaged the entire south and southwestern coast with peak winds exceeding 220 km/h on November 15.
This coastline is home to nearly 12 million people, and Sidr caused the loss of approximately 5,000 lives, leaving survivors homeless.
The cyclone caused severe damage to wildlife and habitats, washing away animals and causing many to be crushed under fallen trees.
The Sundarbans, a critical mangrove forest ecosystem, has been significantly affected by climate change, with increasing salinity and extreme weather events like tropical cyclones.
Researchers predict that the slow increase in salinity over time may lead to the top dying of Sundari trees. The population growth and economic development have placed immense pressure on the mangrove’s resources, such as firewood, timber, fish, honey, and thatching materials, impacting about 3.5 million people who depend on these resources.
Covering approximately 0.6 million hectares, the Sundarbans mangrove forest hosts 334 plant species and over 375 animal species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).
A forest inventory in 1998 estimated the Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF) contained 12.26 million cubic meters of wood resources. In a 2004 tiger census, the population was estimated at 440 tigers, comprising 298 females, 121 males, and 21 cubs.