We are very concerned over frequent fires in the Sundarbans, the largest reserve forest in the country and a world heritage site.
Around 75 acres of forest land with various trees and shrubs of the mangrove forest have been burnt in 24 incidents of fire in the last 19 years. A story headlined “Blazes burning Sundarbans” published in this newspaper on Friday says a vested quarter in association with some dishonest officials and employees of the forest department is allegedly engaged in setting fire to the Sundarbans deliberately in a bid grab the forest land.
Reportedly, on May 5 a fire broke out again near Daser Bharani under Sharankhola Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division on Wednesday, a day after another fire raged through the area.
The government should identify the vested
quarter and dishonest forest officials and
employees and bring them to book immediately
And the two-day fire burnt herbs of 1.31 acres of forest land in Das's Varani area of the Sundarbans on Monday and Tuesday. However, there was no damage to large trees or wildlife.
The government should identify the vested quarter and dishonest forest officials and employees and bring them to book immediately. Besides, the government and non-government institutions and environmentalists will have to come forward to raise public awareness as forests are vital for human life because they provide a diverse range of resources.
In this regard, the local inhabitants and tourists must know how and in what way they will travel through the forest so that the forest will not be affected. Also, the government should take various steps to preserve the bio-diversity of the Sundarbans and introduce smart patrolling to contain forest crimes inside it.
