UNB, Dhaka :
Expressing concern over the capsize of an oil tanker, UNDP Bangladesh Country Director Pauline Tamesis on Thursday said this accident once again highlights the need for a complete ban on the movement of all commercial vessels through the Sundarbans.
“Global experience shows that this kind of incident has long term environmental consequences and it requires coordinated multisectoral efforts to restore the affected areas,” she said in a statement.
Pauline Tamesis said, it may also affect the people dependent on the water bodies around the forest.
“We’re consulting with government, national and international partners to explore ways we can help government to minimise the damage to and rehabilitate this globally significant natural heritage,” she added.
The oil spill happened near the Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary – the largest aquatic protected area declared by the government of Bangladesh and home of two threatened dolphin species: Ganges Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphin.
“Together with the Government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders, UNDP Bangladesh is concerned about the recent developments in the Sundarbans following the oil spill,” she said.
UNDP, however, appreciated the decision taken by the government to temporary shut down the Shale River route to all modes of vessels as reported in the newspapers. “This, I believe, will contribute positively to the restoration efforts.”
The OT Southern Star 7′, carrying some 3.57 lakh litres of furnace oil, sank in the river at Mrigmari under East Zone of the Sundarbans after being hit by a cargo vessel, ‘Total Cargo, at 5am on Tuesday, causing a serious threat to the existence of the Sundarbans and its natural resources due to oil spill.
