News Flash
KHULNA, July 5, 2025 (BSS) - The East Sundarbans Forest Division, in coordination with the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), has taken an initiative to protect riverbanks in the Sundarbans, as the world's largest mangrove forest faces severe erosion.
According to concerned officials, erosion has been occurring for several years in different parts of the Sundarbans, resulting in the loss of forestland, trees, and infrastructure.
Most jetties and structures are collapsing into rivers at multiple locations, including several tourist spots. Forest guards have been forced to abandon their offices and barracks.
In particular, the jetty of Dublar Char Forest Office, the cyclone shelter at Meher Ali Char, several freshwater ponds, and office buildings have already been washed away by the river.
The old rest house and jetty at Katka have also disappeared, while the two-storey building at Bogi Forest Office is now on the verge of collapsing into the river. Several other office buildings and ponds are also at risk.
To mitigate the situation, the East Sundarbans Division sent a letter to the Executive Engineer of BWDB in Bagerhat last week, requesting immediate intervention to prevent further damage to forest structures at the following nine locations: Kochikhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Katka Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandeshwar Patrol Outpost, Dublar Char Patrol Outpost (Fishermen's Settlement), Bogi Forest Station, Jhapsi Patrol Outpost, Jongra Patrol Outpost, Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center, and Shuarmara Patrol Outpost.
Abdus Sabur, in-charge of Katka Wildlife Sanctuary, said, "Vast areas of the Katka forest are being lost to river erosion. Many trees have already vanished. The old rest house is gone, and now the forest office is at risk."
Dilip Majumdar, officer at Bogi Forest Station, echoed the concern, stating that their office-cum-barrack is about to collapse into the river. To avoid danger, they have already vacated the building. In September and October last year, BWDB attempted to halt erosion by dumping sandbags, but it failed to stop the river's onslaught.
Contacted, Rana Dev, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) at the Sharankhola Range, noted that while forest areas are eroding in some places, new chars (landmasses) are forming elsewhere. However, the overall damage remains significant, especially after Cyclone Remal, which accelerated the erosion.
BWDB's Executive Engineer in Bagerhat, Abu Raihan Md. Al Biruni, told BSS that in response to the Forest Department's request, sand-filled geo-bags were dumped to protect Bogi Forest Station. However, due to budget constraints, similar efforts could not be undertaken at other affected sites.
Speaking to BSS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the East Sundarbans Division Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury confirmed the widespread erosion, noting that several infrastructures have already been damaged. He said BWDB carried out some initial work at Bogi, but a large-scale project is urgently needed to address the crisis effectively.
