While the world celebrated Valentine’s Day on 14 February, residents of the southwest coastal belt observed ‘Sundarbans Day’ to advocate for the conservation of the forest’s biodiversity.
For two decades, various organisations in Khulna and surrounding coastal areas have held programmes on this date to raise public awareness regarding the protection of the forest.
The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest and is situated in a saline coastal environment. It was recognised as a Ramsar site in 1992, and on 6 December 1997, UNESCO declared the Sundarbans a Natural World Heritage site.
According to the Forest Department, the forest is of immense scientific, anthropological, and archaeological importance, with 31.15 percent of its total area consisting of wetlands.
The biodiversity of the Sundarbans is significantly richer than that of other mangrove forests. It is home to 334 species of plants, including the Sundari tree, as well as 165 types of algae and 13 orchid species.
The forest supports 375 wildlife species, including tigers, deer, crocodiles, and King Cobras, alongside 210 species of fish. It also provides a habitat for six species of dolphins, including the endangered Irrawaddy.
Local residents say that the region continues to survive climate change and natural disasters only because of the protection provided by the Sundarbans. However, the forest is currently facing an existential crisis due to human greed and illegal activities.
Data from the Forest Department reveals that the number of bird species has declined from 400 to 270.
Climate change is causing rising sea levels and increased salinity, which is killing less salt-tolerant trees, such as the Sundari, and reducing wildlife habitats.
The practice of some fishermen using poison to catch fish in rivers and canals is threatening fish stocks, while tigers, deer, and wild boars are being killed by poachers.
Increased water levels during full and new moon tides are submerging high ground, destroying wildlife eggs and hindering reproduction. The forest also suffers from a shortage of freshwater due to a lack of flow from upstream.
