Committee formed to assess biodiversity loss
Drones deployed to monitor situation
Although the fire in the Sundarbans has been brought under control, authorities said the firefighting efforts will continue for at least two more days to eliminate any potential for reignition.
"The blaze is under control. However, it is too early to say that the flames have been completely extinguished. We will continue our vigilance and efforts for at least two more days to make sure no traces of smoke or sparks linger in the area," Divisional Forest Officer (DFO-Sundarban East) Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim said on Monday afternoon.
Three teams of Navy joined the battle against the Sundarbans blaze on Monday, as efforts are underway to douse the flames that broke out in the area near the Amurbunia patrol post of Jeudhara station within the Chandpai range of Sundarbans East Forest Division.
The forest department, fire service personnel, local residents, Navy teams and volunteers resumed their concerted efforts to douse the fire in the morning, Bagerhat's Morelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Tarek Sultan confirmed.
UNO Tarek Sultan said, "Five units, led by Fire Service and Civil Defense Director of Operations Lt. Col. Tajul Islam, commenced fire extinguishing efforts on Monday [6 May] morning. Additionally, three navy teams, in coordination with
the forest department and numerous volunteers, are actively contributing to the firefighting endeavour."
Noting that flames were now under control, the UNO hoped for complete extinguishment by the end of Monday.
According to Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operation and maintenance) at the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, comprehensive assessments reported this morning by representatives of all agencies revealed no further flames in the vicinity of the fire-affected area. While some areas still exhibit general smog, strict monitoring and control measures are in place.
Over the next 2-3 days, ground analysis would be conducted, alongside close surveillance by drones.
Meanwhile, fire service officials would remain deployed in the area until the fire was completely extinguished.
Although the leaves, vines, and bark of trees in the impacted zones suffered burns, the trees themselves were not destroyed.
The Forest Department, in collaboration with local community members, will commence afforestation in the affected areas soon after the area is declared free of any potential rekindling of flames.
On Sunday evening, firefighting operations were temporarily halted around 6pm due to safety concerns in the forest area at night.
The aftermath of Saturday's blaze has left several trees and vines —including Sundari, Bain, Gewa, Gin, and Singra— reduced to ashes, covering the forest ground in a layer of ash.
The rising heat from the charred area has been making it challenging to breathe amidst the smoke and rising temperatures.
The scorching heat has even caused the green leaves of trees to wither and fall onto the ashes scattered across the area.
According to Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operation and maintenance) at the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, comprehensive assessments reported this morning by representatives of all agencies revealed no further flames in the vicinity of the fire-affected area. While some areas still exhibit general smog, strict monitoring and control measures are in place.
Over the next 2-3 days, ground analysis will be conducted, alongside close surveillance by drones.
Meanwhile, fire service officials will remain deployed in the area until the fire is completely extinguished.
Although the leaves, vines, and bark of trees in the impacted zones suffered burns, the trees themselves were not destroyed.
The Forest Department, in collaboration with local community members, will commence afforestation in the affected areas soon after the area is declared free of any potential rekindling of flames.
Unlike previous incidents where various organisations hesitated to actively participate in Sundarbans' firefighting efforts, this time, a proactive approach was witnessed from the beginning, with the upazila administration, alongside various forces and organizations, demonstrating remarkable energy and commitment.
Following the incident, upazila administration officials, the fire service, police, and public representatives converged alongside the forest department on the site.
On Sunday morning, the Navy, Coast Guard, and local volunteers joined, with the Air Force also joining the effort later in the day.
UNB adds: In the wake of the fire in the Sundarbans, the Forest Department has formed a committee to assess the loss of biodiversity.
Headed by Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests of Khulna Region, Divisional Forest Officer of Khulna Management Planning Department was made the member-secretary of the committee, a release said.
Other members of the committee are representatives of the Department of Environment; Divisional Forest Officer, Bagerhat, Sundarban East Forest Division; Dr. SM Feroz, Professor of Forestry and Wood Technology discipline of Khulna University; Dr. Swapan Kumar Sarker, Mangrove Ecologist of Aranyak Foundation and Professor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet and representative of Wildlife Conservation Society.
The committee has been asked to submit a detailed report within the next ten working days assessing the damage to forest resources and biodiversity and making recommendations about the next steps to be taken.
Meanwhile, the forest workers put out the scattered small fire and smokes in all the places through team-based own firefighting equipment in Amurbunia patrol post under Chandpai range of Sundarban East Forest Division in Bagerhat district.
Although the fire is completely under control, the Forest Department is now constantly monitoring it through drones.
Smoke from the fire was detected three times on Monday by drone monitoring and subsequently quickly extinguished. The area of the fire was 7.9 acres, out of which 5 acres were damaged.
In the case of forest fires, the fire also remains deep in the soil in the roots of the trees, which can then re-ignite or smoke after a few hours.
Therefore, to avoid any kind of accident, from today till the next three days, the patrol team of the forest department will be responsible for fire monitoring and extinguishing any new fire at any place.
Currently, along with the Forest Department, Fire Service and police force members are on duty at the spot.
The Fire Service team will also be present at the spot on Tuesday.
Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force personnel left the scene as the fire was brought under control.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed and Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury are supervising and coordinating the firefighting activities of Sundarbans round the clock.