Sundarbans face Information Errors
Dr. Fourkan Ali
The largest world heritage of the
world, the Sundarbans, is situated in the south-western part of Bangladesh . The
Sundarbans touch the part of Khulna ,
Satkhira and Bagerhat districts. A connected set of four hundred (400) rivers
and cannels along with near about two hundreds (200) small and large islands
unites the mangrove forest. There are two types of explanation for its name. The
Sundarbans is beset with mostly one kind of trees locally name as SUNDORI, and
for that the name of the forest is “Sundarbans”. Another idea is that the
forest is situated near sea. The Bengali name of sea is “SUMANDOR”. Thus from
the term “SUMANDOR” next to “SUMANDORBAN” and from there “SUNDARBANS”. The
later idea is accepted by most of the people.
There are much more confusions
and errors regarding the information of the Sundarbans rather than its name. UNESCO
(United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization) declared the Sundarbans as
798th World Heritage. But history didn’t proceed in that way. After
the declaration of UNESCO in 1997 as 798th World Heritage, the
maximum writers have disclosed the Sundarbans as 522nd World
Heritage. Even a General Knowledge handbook named “AJKER BISWA” composed and
edited by Golam Mostofa Kiron shows the Sundarbans as 522nd World
Heritage. Besides, the local dailies of Khulna
as well the national dailies declare the Sundarbans as 522nd World
Heritage. Moreover the local and National Dailies reveals different information
which are reverse of one another. The Government of Bangladesh has provided the
Primary Schools with a book financed by UNICEF (United Nations International
Children’s Educational Fund) named “BANGLADESH ITIHASH – OITHISHO” edited by
Niazur Rahman mentioned that the Sundarbans had been declared as World Heritage
on 1999. He also mentioned in the book that there are Fifty Thousand (50,000)
kinds of mammals, Three Hundred Twenty (320) types of birds, Fifty (50) kinds
of reptiles and 8 other animals who can live either in land and water &
Four Hundred (400) kinds of fishes in the Sundarbans.
Not only about the Sundarbans but
also in every matter, writing whimsically has become our habit. Whimsical
writing is giving misleading education to the society. A National Daily, on the 26th January 1999 ,
declares the Sundarbans as 522nd World Heritage. In the same daily
in 1995 the Sundarbans were declared as 798th World Heritage. Thus
as a result, a general reader and student get confused about the exact
information. The Ministry of Forest and Ministry of Information are not
concerned about the misleading information published by the different dailies. No
press briefing or reactions against this have ever been noticed by the officers
and employees of the forest division.
But according to the information
of the Sundarbans Division is that is achieved autonomy in the year 1828. L. T.
Hajesh did the first survey over the Sundarbans on 1829. On 1878 the entire
Sundarbans area were declared as Reserved
Forest India division,
55 Compartments come inside Bangladesh
political area. The total area of the Sundarbans is about 6,017 Square
Kilometers. Among this 4,143 square kilometers land and 1,874 square kilometers
is its water area. Various types of trees, plants and animals live in the
Sundarbans. Royal Bengal Tigers live here. 375 types of wild animals, 210 kinds
of fishes are found in the Sundarbans. In the Sundarbans 334 types of Tress,
165 types of corals and 13 kinds of orchid are found here. The main tree of the
Sundarbans is the “SUNDRI” which is near about 73 percent of the total trees.
“GAOA” takes place after
“SUNDORI” tree which is 16 percent of total trees and rest 11 percent is other
various trees and beset with honey and wax. Diversified trees and animals are
there. Among the wild animals Royal Bengal Tiger, wild swine, speckled deer,
deer, python, tortoise, snakes, dolphin, wild cats, wild cocks and crocodiles
of salty water is mentionable. Among the birds white eagle, panther herons,
white herons, snipe, seagull, dove, kingfisher, woodpecker, Musk finkfut,
Durango etc. Already 2 types of buffalo, 2 types of deer, 2 types of Rhinoceros
and a type of crocodiles have been abolished from the forest. To save the
bio-diversity, 3 Reserve
Forest
In the reserve forest areas all
types of activities and hunting is restricted. The total area of these 3
reserve forest is 1 Lac 39 Thousand 7 Hundred Hectares which is nearly 23
percent of the total Sundarbans. The Sundarbans contributed the lion’s portion
of the revenue of Bangladesh Govt. But a group of selfish, unwise, greedy and
corrupted forest officers and robbers are in the competition to destroy the
forest. The Sundarbans have been turned as the playground of the Mafia gangs.
As a result the balance of the forest is being hindered and animals like Tiger
and deer are being abolished form the world.
Geographically Bangladesh is
becoming imbalanced. Considering these, a new project was taken named
Environment & Management along with forest division. Earlier 8 compartments
of the 3 parts of the Sundarbans area of 1 Lac 39 Thousand 7 Hundred Hectares
were declared as Reserve forest. But no specific actions were taken to save the
forest resources. As a result a group of dishonest businessmen have been destroying
the forest without any fear by the label of license. At the same time killing
and hunting of wild animals in the reserve forest areas is open secret. Thus
there is possibility that the Royal Bengal Tiger may be abolished. The
Sundarbans are not only assets of Bangladesh but also of the world.
It is a old and cultural asset of the world which keeps the geographical
balance of the whole world. UNESCO has come forward to save such precious
asset. UNESCO declared the Sundarbans as 798th World Heritage.
UNESCO is giving all kinds of economic support to save world’s culture the
Sundarbans.
Among the Three (3) reserve
forest areas, the east reserve forest belonging to 4,5 & 6 Compartment is
established with Katka, Kachikahli and Supoti froest office. This reserve
forest has an area of 31 Thousand 227 Hectares of forest area. Two rest houses named
Katka and Kachikhali of the forest division along with a high observation tower
for the tourists are here. Standing on the tower the charming beauty of the
Sundarbans can be observed. An eye catching & long sandy beach can be found
in Katka and Kachikhali. The main characteristic of the eastern reserve forest
is that the SUNDORI and KEORA trees are longer than those of other areas. A
large number of Deer, Royal Bengal Tigers and crocodiles live here. This
reserved forest area is known as Tiger Point.
The second one is known as
southern reserve forest. This compartment is built with 36 Thousand 970
Hectares of forest areas. The PUTINI island is situated near this reserve
forest area which is the best and perfect place for Mangrove ecological study.
There are tow stations are here named Nilkamal and Dobaki. Hiron Point is
situated here. This area is famous for deer but Tigers, Crocodiles, Birds and
other animals also be found. An observation tower is in the Nilkamal area from
where the beauty of folks of deer can be observed.
The 3rd one is known
as Western Reserve forest which is connected
with the Indian boarder. This compartment is built with 71 thousand 502
Hectares of forest areas. 3 Forest stations
named Noabeki, Pusphakathi and Mandarbaria are situated here.
This area is known
as excessive salty area. That is why the growth of SUNDORI trees is less than
other areas. But the GORAN trees grow in plenty here. Valuable POSUR and
DHUNDHUL trees are also in plenty here. Royal Bengal Tigers are found in
highest number here rather than other areas of the Sundarbans. Besides, there
are long sandy sea beach in south Mandarbaria. Tourists have been given the
chance to observe the beauty of the Reserve forest areas of the Sundarbans. Each
year a large number of Tourist and Visitors, researchers, students-teachers,
journalists come to explore the Sundarbans. The natural beauty, wild animals
and sea beach attracts the visitor most.
Tourists and visitors come to
visit Katka, Kachikhali, Nilkamal, Hiron Point, Dublarchar, Mandarbaria,
Shekertek Temp and some other tourist spots. At present an ideal tourist spot has
been made in Koromjol. Sidewalk made with wood, round house and observation
tower are here to explore the beauty of the Sundarbans. Beside this, artificial
deer and crocodile farm is situated here. As a result a large number of tourists
and visitors crowd here.
Writer. Ex principle & Journalist
Cell.01711579267
Email.fourkanali@yahoo.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment