Sundarbans reopens after 3-month closure

The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest, reopened for tourists, fishers, woodcutters and honey collectors on Sunday (September 1) after three consecutive months of closure.

Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, assistant conservator of Forests (ACF) of Sundarbans Satkhira Range at the Sundarbans West Forest Department, said that after three months, fishermen and people dependent on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods have been given entry passes (permits) to Sundarbans from September 1. For this, along with fishermen, owners of trawlers transporting tourists previously started taking preparation.

The three-month ban on fishing and tourism in the Sundarbans, from June 1 to Saturday, aims to provide a safe breeding environment for fish and wild animals. 

The movement of all vessels, including boats and fishing trawlers, is prohibited, along with the entry of fishermen and honey collectors. Local and foreign tourists are also barred from entering the forest during this time.

During these three months, most fish release eggs, and it is also the breeding season for many wild animals. Restricting access helps protect biodiversity and wildlife.

According to the Forest Department, the Sundarbans currently have 114 royal Bengal tigers, 375 species of wildlife, including 200,000 deer, 334 species of plants, including sundari, 165 species of algae, 13 species of orchids, and 300 species of birds.

In 2019, the Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) recommended closing the Sundarbans’ rivers and canals to fishing from July 1 to August 31 annually. In 2021, this restriction was extended to three months, starting June 1, in coordination with the Fisheries Department.

The Sundarbans is home to about 289 species of animals, including 42 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, and 219 species of aquatic animals.