Sagar Biswas :Series of recent mysterious fire incidents inside the Sundarbans have posed potential threat to the normal movement of wild animals, especially the Royal Bengal Tiger, in the eastern part of the world’s largest mangrove forest.In the latest incident, a huge area of the Sundarbans has been damaged in a devastating ground fire at Aruader area near Dhansagar station of Changpai Range on Wednesday, which was fourth similar fire incident in the same region in the wake of only 30 days.Forest officials have admitted that the bushy [surrounded by reed pipe] area is very much favourite for the animals where the Royal Bengal Tigers are often seen visiting. But now the entire nature has been threatened due to ‘ignition of intentional’ fire. There is widespread allegation that criminals have established a reign of terror in the Sundarbans where forest officials and members of other law enforcement agencies, including Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion and Police, are virtually helpless.The criminal gangs are cutting tress, netting fishes, killing animals and preying other wild lives to sell them in the black market in exchange of huge money. Now they have become desperate following relax administration, it is also alleged. When contacted, Md Saidul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer, [Sundarbans East] told The New Nation yesterday, “A powerful crime syndicate is solely responsible for the fire incidents. They are trying to establish their supremacy inside the forest for grabbing fishing and other businesses. There is a vast low-water land, where adequate quantities of fishes are available in rainy season. This syndicate is trying to get hold of this area.”Detailing the negative impact of fire, he said, “These fire incidents are not only damaging the echo system, but also interrupting the movement of tigers and other animals…..We also suspect that hard core criminals, such as forest robbers, have made the place as their safe haven.” Apart from Wednesday’s [April 27] fire, official sources said, fire caught at Nagli, Pochakoralia, Abadullar Chhila and Napitkhali under Changpai Range earlier three times-on March 27, April 13 and April 18, damaging over 100 acres of land. The Divisional Forest Office filed two cases with the concerned police station accusing some locals of adjacent area in this connection. But none was arrested till the date.Superintendent of Police in Bagerhat Mollah Nizamul Haque, however, expressed severe frustration over the recent fire incidents expressing the inability of police. “We’re trying to nab the criminals. The river police are mainly deployed to patrol the area. So far we know, the criminals have fled away from their houses after cases were filed.” In this backdrop, Conservator of Forest [Sundarbans] Md Zahiruddin Ahmed told The New Nation yesterday, “We suspect, the Wednesday’s fire was ignited by the same criminal gang for filing cases against them. They are threatening us to withdraw the cases. Apart from fishing, this group is involved in other illegal businesses also.” “These criminals are powerful. They live in the adjacent villages and enter the Sundarbans whenever they want. We’ve not enough guards to resist them from entering the forest,” the Conservator said.
