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Sidr and Coastal Forest Damage |
Bangladesh has been experiencing more frequent and intense natural disasters since last two decades. Its southern frontier is one of the most vulnerable regions of the world, which is exposed to many damaging weather events as an effect of climate change and consequent devastation of nature. The recent super cyclonic Sidr, originating in the Bay, ravaged the entire south and southwestern coast with peaking winds over 220km an hour on November 15, 2007. This coastline is home of nearly 12 million people whereas Sidr caused human loss of about 5,000 and made the survivors homeless.
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The Sundarban Reserved Forests (60% lies in Bangladesh ) is the largest contiguous block of mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarban is a unique bioclimatic zone in a typical geographical situation in the southwestern part of the country facing the Bay of Bengal . This mangrove biotype is considered a highly productive ecosystem and provides a wide range of valuable forest products, maintains estuarine water quality and plays a crucial role in the life cycle of many commercially important fishes. Above all this forest is a green belt and acts as a safeguard for inland settlements from tidal surges and cyclonic storms. The eye of cyclone Sidr made landfall on the eastern parts of Sundarban near Boleshwer River and caused havoc of wild flora and fauna of this unique mangrove. However, it sustained the main thrust of Sidr and weakened it devastation while crossing over the country from Bagerhat to Dhaka and Sylhet border in the north-eastern part of the country. |
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The Sundarban mangrove covers about 0.6 million hectares of land of the country. There are 334 plant species and more then 375 fauna species available in this mangrove forest. It is the homeland of Royal Bengal Tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris ). Forest inventory in 1998 estimates 12.26 million cubic meters of wood resources (dbh =15cm) in the SRF. Recent census of tigers (2004) estimated the existence of 440 tigers including 298 female, 121 males and 21 cubs in the Sundarban. The Sundarban is being administered by the Sundarban West Forest Division and Sundarban East Forest Division. There are 4 Forest Ranges , 17 Forest Revenue Stations and 72 Patrol Posts with 1068 staffs working at various capacities. |
Natural
Forests Management which Involves local peoples’ participation
in planning and managing sal forests, enriching and managing the catchments
of the hill forests and establishing and managing in conservation
of protected areas in and around Protected areas of the country
Population growth and economic development have brought immense pressure on mangrove wealth and its systems for firewood, timber, fishes, honey and thatching materials etc. About 3.5 million people directly or indirectly depend on the resources of Sundarban. |
Sundarbans as World Heritage Site and Ramsar Site/Wetland Three wildlife sanctuaries, in the Sundarban, covering an area of 139,700 ha., has declared as world heritage site (798th) by the UNESCO (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1997. The entire Sundarban has been declared as 560 th Ramsar Site in 1992 due to covering all criteria of wetland as well as Ramsar Site. Eco Tourism in the Sundarbans Eco-tourism only allows eco-friendly behaviour with nature during visiting the site. The natural beauty of the Sundarban is so attractive, captivating, fascinating and varied that hardly another region of the world can compete with its particular grace and grandeur. The Sundarban has a unique entity of attracting tourists not only domestic but also from the abroad. The pleasure of cruising in the rivers and creeks of the Sundarban knows no bound. Cruising by country boats brings relaxation of body and mind. Equally interesting in the Sundarban is fishing. In addition, there are other options and some interesting recreation facilities: beach relaxation, walking, jungle trails, wildlife watching etc. There are several spots in the Sundarban that can easily attract the tourists. Some of the important tourist spots are Karamjal, Katka, Kochikhali, Dubla Island , Nilkamal, Shekhertek Temple , Mandarbaria, Notabeki and Dobeki etc. More than one hundred thousand local and about 1500 foreign tourists per year visit these spots in the Sundarban. |
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Effect on wildlife Sundarban reserved forests is home of more then 375 wildlife species which includes 35 reptiles, 315 birds, 42 mammals including the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. Cyclone Sidr caused tremendous disruption to wildlife. The loss of wildlife is either due washed away by the cyclone and tidal surges or fall under the broken trees. The Dead animals may cause environmental hazards to the remaining herbivores and other wildlife. The cyclone damaged and broken trees restrict the movement of wildlife caused scarcity of fodder due to loss of regeneration in the forest floor. As the existing ponds in the Sunderban have been infested with the salt water, safe drinking water for the animals is not available. Effects on infrastructures and water crafts Cyclone Sidr caused devastation of existing infrastructures within the Sundarban by the Forest Department. A dministrative offices namely Range, Station, Patrol posts and forest camps are severely damaged. Almost all the offices in the eastern part of Sundarban as well as the personal belongings of the staff members has been damaged. Thirty two communication towers and RT sets are damaged severely and consequently communication is disrupted. Important office documents have been washed off. This has created an immense loss to the government property. Immediate action is needed to re-establish the functionary of the field activities. Fifty nine watercrafts belong to the eastern part of the Sundarban has been destroyed. This has hampered the mobility of the forest staff staying in the remote areas of the Sundaban. Effects on Eco-tourism In the recent past Sundrban attracted huge number of both local and foreign tourists. Private tour operators have also developed their infrastructures and facilities to accommodate extensive tours inside the Sundarban. Meanwhile the local tour operators, with the assistance of the Forest Department, have developed a systematic and structured tour system. Due to this cyclone existing facilities in the Sundarban has been completely damaged. This caused a huge loss in this sector. Preliminary assessment on loss of forest resources, infrastructures and causalities in the Sundarban are as below: |
Table 1: Damage of Sundarban Reserved Forests by the Cyclone Sidr 2007 |
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Effect of Sidr in the Coastal Forest Circle of Bangladesh Forest Department through its Coastal Circle has been developing a green belt along 610 km coastline to ensure protection of lives and properties through raising mangrove plantations since 1960's. About 0.14 million ha of coastal afforestation is raised under various development projects in this region. Cyclonic storm Sidr, originating in the Bay of Bengal , ravaged the entire south and southwestern coast which is home of nearly 12 million people. Sidr caused human loss of about 5,000 persons and made the survivors immense sufferings. |
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Effect of Sidr in the Southern Social Forest Divisions of Bangladesh In mid 1980's, Bangladesh Forest Department initiated community forestry activities though the Social Forest Divisions all over the country. Since these areas are devoid of forest reserves, social forestry plantations in the marginal lands, institution's premises, and nursery development programme are undertaken with active participation of local people. The super cyclone Sidr has affected 4 social forest divisions namely Jessore, Faridpur, Bagerhat and Barisal Social Forest Divisions. Table 3: Damage of Social Forest Divisions by the Cyclone Sidr 2007 |
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Response to Sidr damage rehabilitation in Forestry sector Immediate Response: FD allocated taka 11.3 lacs for small repair of infrastructures and water vessels to emergency duties. Short and Long term projects: FD submitted four projects for Sidr damage rehabilitation and climate change resilient afforestation in Bangladesh . Donors and Development partners: UNESCO released an amount of US$78500 to repair of six (6) buildings and purchase of twelve (12) water crafts for Sundarban world heritage site. UNDP, FAO and World Bank have carried out individual assessment of Sidr damage inside and outside Sundarbans. UNDP is expected to take part in the short term monitoring and rehabilitation programmes. |
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