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World heritage in Bangladesh is under threat

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s office has recently asked two ministries that are responsible for Sundarban and its wildlife to restrict the access of ships through the world heritage site, declared by the UNESCO.

The necessary arrangement is to be made by the ministry of environment and forest and the ministry of shipping; which basically is ensuring that ships only take routes approved by the two ministries. The ministries are to as well ensure traversable passage by scouring the area. According to a letter by the PM’s office- although the route that is used by vessels at present does ensure reduced distance and hence cost however is does hold a threat against the ecology. They also feel that the ministries must also concentration the natural resources and how they can be preserved.

About 65% of the area of Sundarban is naturally sensitive; however the whole area is under severe risk due to the arbitrary passage of ships. The environment ministry recently gave allowance to MOS for passage though Rayenda-Shapla-Harintana-Chandipai route. However ships have been citied to have been scouring further in to the area due to the lack of traversibility. At least 25 oil tankers along with other types of vessels travel through the Sannasi- Rayenda- Sharankhola- Dudhmukhi – Harintana –Andarmanik route. This route is 60 km long and deeper inside the mangrove forest. The environment ministry has allowed vessels to pass though a sensitive area without any permission because this route decreased the traveling distance and hence reduces overall cost.

One of the confidential letters contained a report where the horns of the ships disturb the wildlife in varies manner: starting from their food consumption to breeding and even habitation. Horns from the ships usually scare the wildlife. The letter also mentioned how ministry of shipping had not responded to the request that environment ministry had sent them about barring passage to certain areas completely, instead it advised ships to pass though the unapproved routes quietly and slowly. As a result, the world heritage is constantly under threat by the continuous passage of both national and international ships through it.

At least Bangladeshi businessmen who are owners of ships those pass through this area, should take initiatives to avoid the route for the sake of the wildlife.

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