In Mongla upazila of Bagerhat forest-dependent people including foresters, fishermen, anglers, Bawali (woodcutters) and Mouali (honey collectors) took an oath to protect the Sundarbans on Sunday morning.
On the occasion of Sundarbans Day, Mongla Upazila Administration, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Wildteam, Badaban Sangha, Sundarbans Museum and Pashur River Waterkeeper organised the oath taking programme.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kamlesh Majumder administered the oath and inaugurated the programmes of Sundarbans Day at the Upazila Parishad premises. UNO Kamlesh Majumder urged everyone not to ruin the beauty of the Sundarbans due to their personal interests and not to kill fish or cut down the trees of the Sundarbans. He requested everyone to hand over those who do all these to the law enforcing agencies.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nayan Kumar Rajbangshi, President of Citizen for Good Governance organization Francis Sudan Haldar, Director of Sundarbans Museum Subhash Chandra Biswas, Executive Director of Badaban Sangha Lipi Rahman were present as special guests.
Lecturers Manoj Kanti Biswas and Sharmin conducted the entire programme of the Sundarbans Day. Other programs on the occasion of Sundarbans Day included documentary, poster exhibitions and presentation of various specimens of the nature of the Sundarbans.