Syed Shemul Parvez :
Though human thrusting on nature has reduced due to various reasons including lockdown in many countries during the Covid 19 epidemic, but in Bangladesh, the opposite picture is seen here. Wildlife killings have increased comparatively at this time in the country.
Eventually, new life has returned to the biodiversity of various countries of the earth. On the other hand, a new risk of disaster is quacking the citizen of Bangladesh.
Mentioned that the Sundarbans covers an area of 6,017 sq km along the south-west coast of the country. Surrounded by a variety of forms, decorated with various species of forest trees, this picturesque forest is a natural protection of the coastal people.
This Sundarbans has been protecting the people of the coast from one super cyclone after another in the last few years.
But those people are now destroying this forest for their own benefit.
Fish are being hunted with poison in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans, and river animals are being destroyed by collecting fish pollen with nets.
Consequently the Sundarbans is heading for an existential crisis day by day. Due to the lack of sweet water in the river, many species of birds, innumerable species of fish and forest chickens have been lost from this forest in the last two decades.
According to the Forest Department, three tigers have been killed in the country in the last 14 months. The last one year has also set a new record for killing the elephants, the largest animals on land.
According to the Forest Department and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), a total of 12 elephants have been killed in the country in the past one year. Most of the elephants were killed by electric traps and shooting.
But, from 2013 to 2019, averages of four to five elephants only have been killed in the country every year.
In this regard, IUCN Bangladesh Country Director Rakibul Amin told the media that abreast creating a corridor for elephants to pass through the Rohingya camps, other routes in the country need to be secured for the elephants roaming.
Otherwise, the 263 surviving elephants in the country will be more endangered.
The corona year is also thought to be the dangerous year for whales, the largest aquatic animals.
According to international organizations, only 10 whales have died at the coast of the country in the last 14 years. But the bodies of four whales have been washed ashore in the last one year there.
Apart from this, killing and trafficking of other wild animals have also increased comparatively during this period. The mountains of the country have also been endangered during the Corona period.
Perth Sarathi Pal, a researcher at the non-governmental organization BARSIK, said long-term planning is needed to protect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. Both plants and animals are in crisis here.
Climate change has increased salinity. There is no sweet water flowing in the river. Aquatic animals are being slaughtered by applying poison and catching fish and small crabs.
Fish and crabs will no longer be found in the river in the next few years, he added.
Sultan Ahmed, in-charge of the Burigoalini Forest Camp in the western Sundarbans, told the media that several rivers and canals have been declared as sanctuaries to protect forest fish. Fishing is strictly prohibited here due to breeding.
A few people have been also arrested and charged in the area recently for poaching with poison, he added.
