UNB, Bagerhat :
The repeated incidents of capsize of vessels carrying coal and different chemicals in the Sundarbans water routes have put the flora and fauna of the world’s largest mangrove forest at stake.
A total of eight commercial ships-one oil tanker, six vessels carrying coal and fertiliser, and a launch-sank in rivers running through the Sundarbans in the last five years from March 14, 2013 to April 14, 2018.
According to the Sundarbans East Zone, ‘MV Motahar’ capsized on March 14, 2013 while ‘MV Shahidut’ on November 24, 2014, ‘MV Southern Star-7’ carrying furnace oil on December 9, 2014, ‘MV Jabalenoor’ on May 5, 2015, ‘MV Zia Raj’ on October 28, 2015, ‘MV Sea Horse-1’ on March 19, 2016, ‘MVAichgati’on January 13, 2017 and ‘MV Bilash’ on April 14, 2018.
A tanker carrying over 3.57 lakh litres of furnace oil sank in the Shela River at Jaimanigol under the East Zone of the Sundarbans, severely affecting the aquatic creatures, biodiversity and plants in the mangrove forest.
The oil had spilled over into 45 miles along the river, a major sanctuary for aquatic animals in the Sundarbans. At least 20 canals and a major river,Pashur, are connected with the river.
In the latest accidenton Saturdaynight, ‘MV Bilash’ carrying 775 tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River near the Sundarbans.
Commander Oli Ullah, harbour master of Mongla Port, said the Jashore-bound vessel capsized in the river around10pmafter loading coal from mother vessel, ‘MV Observatory’, at the port.
After the accident, Mongla Port Authority Chairman Commodore AKM Faruk Hasan said they ordered the owner to salvage the cargo within the next 15-20 days. “If they fail to do so, the port authorities will sell it in auction and then we’ll work to retrieve the cargo,” he had said.
However, although three days have elapsed since the accident, no initiative has been taken to salvage the sunken vessel.
Vessel owners said they will start the salvage operation
soon. In the meantime, they sent two vessels to the spot for the release of coal from the cargo. The cargo will be dragged to the shore by the next two days.
Environment specialists suggested immediate salvage of the coal-laden vessel to lessen the impact of coal spill on the Sundarbans ecology.
Talking to UNB, Mahmudul Hasan, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Zone, said the vessel capsized very close to the Sundarbans.
The repeated incidents of capsize of vessels carrying coal and different chemicals in the Sundarbans water routes have put the flora and fauna of the world’s largest mangrove forest at stake.
A total of eight commercial ships-one oil tanker, six vessels carrying coal and fertiliser, and a launch-sank in rivers running through the Sundarbans in the last five years from March 14, 2013 to April 14, 2018.
According to the Sundarbans East Zone, ‘MV Motahar’ capsized on March 14, 2013 while ‘MV Shahidut’ on November 24, 2014, ‘MV Southern Star-7’ carrying furnace oil on December 9, 2014, ‘MV Jabalenoor’ on May 5, 2015, ‘MV Zia Raj’ on October 28, 2015, ‘MV Sea Horse-1’ on March 19, 2016, ‘MVAichgati’on January 13, 2017 and ‘MV Bilash’ on April 14, 2018.
A tanker carrying over 3.57 lakh litres of furnace oil sank in the Shela River at Jaimanigol under the East Zone of the Sundarbans, severely affecting the aquatic creatures, biodiversity and plants in the mangrove forest.
The oil had spilled over into 45 miles along the river, a major sanctuary for aquatic animals in the Sundarbans. At least 20 canals and a major river,Pashur, are connected with the river.
In the latest accidenton Saturdaynight, ‘MV Bilash’ carrying 775 tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River near the Sundarbans.
Commander Oli Ullah, harbour master of Mongla Port, said the Jashore-bound vessel capsized in the river around10pmafter loading coal from mother vessel, ‘MV Observatory’, at the port.
After the accident, Mongla Port Authority Chairman Commodore AKM Faruk Hasan said they ordered the owner to salvage the cargo within the next 15-20 days. “If they fail to do so, the port authorities will sell it in auction and then we’ll work to retrieve the cargo,” he had said.
However, although three days have elapsed since the accident, no initiative has been taken to salvage the sunken vessel.
Vessel owners said they will start the salvage operation
soon. In the meantime, they sent two vessels to the spot for the release of coal from the cargo. The cargo will be dragged to the shore by the next two days.
Environment specialists suggested immediate salvage of the coal-laden vessel to lessen the impact of coal spill on the Sundarbans ecology.
Talking to UNB, Mahmudul Hasan, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Zone, said the vessel capsized very close to the Sundarbans.
