The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest Bangladesh boasts, reopens after a three-month ban on fishing and tourism in the rich and magnificent forest. The government enforced the ban to ensure safe breeding of fish and wild animals, not giving a damn about the livelihood of the fishermen and those who depend on the forest for their daily bread.
Sources at the Forest Department say tourist movement and fishing activities in the Sundarbans were suspended from June 1 to August 31 so that breeding of fish and wild animals happens safely. During this period, locals affected by the measure had been forced to borrow money at high interest rates from different non-government organisations (NGOs) and local lenders to survive.
A large number of local people, including fishermen, honey collectors and wood cutters, have been left in utter misery as they had no means of livelihood due to the annual three-month ban. They suffered extreme hardships and often went hungry for lack of income in the last three months.
It is worth mentioning that as many as 200,000 families who depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihood has to face acute financial hardship due to the restriction on collection of resources from the mangrove forest
“We are already passing very hard time, maintaining family with our low income amid the soaring prices of essential commodities and then the restriction came,” said Hanif Gazi, a fisherman.
The ministry reviewed a list of affected fishermen submitted earlier and from the next year, the genuine fishermen may be given food aid during the ba, said Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarbans East Division.
Nazmul Azam David, Secretary of the Tour Operators Associations of Sundarbans (TOAS), said although the forest reopens for tourists and fishermen, it will not significantly benefit the tourism industry, as according to him, tourism in the Sundarbans typically gains momentum between November and March. Of the 70 tour boats registered with the association, only four have been booked for trips following the reopening of the Sundarbans. He also voiced concern that the forest itself benefit little from the restriction.
Md Matiur Rahman, Acting Officer of Katka wildlife Sanctuary, said during the three-month ban, movement of animals, particularly deer and monkeys, increased noticeably. Spotted deer can now be seen roaming freely in the area, he added.
We hope that government will provide food aid for the affected people during the ban to make the initiative to ensure safe breeding of fish and wildlife of the mangrove forest more meaningful.
