Animals in Sundarbans are dying due to lack of water

 Under the influence of the severe cyclone Remal, about 80 freshwater ponds inside the Sundarbans have been submerged in salt water due to high tidal surge. As a result, the biggest crisis in the Sundarbans is normal water. Because these ponds were the only source of fresh water for wildlife, foresters and forest workers living in the forest. All of which is now submerged in salt water. The information was given at a meeting titled 'Post-Cyclone Remal Situation on the Coast and What to Emergency Do' at Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday.

 

 Development organization 'Leaders' and citizen organization 'Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement' organized the meeting. Speakers at the meeting said climate change is one of the biggest challenges. However, Bangladesh's contribution to global warming is only 0.4 percent. However, Bangladesh ranks third among the countries most affected by disasters. Between 1991 and 2024, Bangladesh faced 201 major disasters. Cyclone Remal is the latest addition to this list. It has created other crises including livelihood, property, food, water, housing of the people of this country.  The cyclone has caused extensive damage to the dredging and coastal embankments of the Payra River as well as the townships. About 46 lakh people of 934 unions of 119 upazilas of coastal and 19 adjoining districts have been affected by the cyclone. Fisheries resource expert and teacher of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Mir Mohammad Ali said that the entire biodiversity will be threatened if the invasion of saline water is not stopped. The fresh water ponds that have entered saline water due to the recent cyclone should be removed immediately. Otherwise, the fish in the freshwater pond will die. Later, it will have an impact on the fisheries sector of the entire country for a long time. These issues should be given priority on an urgent basis and separate funds should be allocated for the coast. It will be possible to turn around to some extent against the loss. ...  Laila Parvin Sejuti, MP (Satkhira) of reserved seats for women, said the coastal areas of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat are most vulnerable due to geographical location, frequent natural disasters, fragile infrastructure, poverty and long-term salinity. In this situation, it is necessary to take initiative for a long-term master plan declaring the area as a special area or climate risk area. Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, coordinator of the Movement to Protect the Sundarbans and the Coast, presided over the programme. Khulna-6 MP took part in the discussion. Md. Rashiduzzaman, MP of Bagerhat-4 constituency HM Badiuzzaman Sohag, Environment Expert and Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh Sharif Jamil, Fisheries Resources Expert and Member Secretary of Unnayan Dhara Trust Aminur Rasul Babul. "