22/05/2020
We are about to lose the Sundarbans this time.
In 2007, it was at the forefront of the Sidr cylone enroute towards Bangladesh, and again in 2009, it took a heavy hit during Aila, practically saving the mainland from its devastation by slowing down the cyclone. Around 47% of the Sunderbans was damaged due to these consecutive cyclones but like the feeble human memory, as soon as the rest of the state got back on its feet, we forgot about the forests which saved us. Apart from all this, the climate change has played an important factor in its rapid erosion of habitable wetlands as well as the rising sea levels which is increasingly threatening its lifespan.
As per the most recent reports, Amphan has struck a massive blow to an already deteriorating ecosystem. Majority of the land that consists of the forests are now about 3 feet underwater. The cyclone has brought so much of destruction that forest officials can’t even enter the core areas to assess the damages, let alone solve the impending devastation. The freshwater ponds which are the sole source of drinking water for the locals and the forest officials have now been completely salinated by the ocean water. Not only has the forest reached its brink of existence, there is no water for people to drink.
It is imperative to acknowledge that without proper and substantial help, we might completely lose the Sunderbans.
I cannot stress how dangerous and irreparable it would be to lose out a distinct ecosystem and how it would completely obliterate the mainland in the coming years when the climate crisis gets worse. Sunderbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is absolute time we get the attention of international bodies and their help in solving this immediate crisis. Our mainland, may and will recover given the manpower, ease of accessibility and local governance but the Sunderbans, who has been ignored over and over again will not survive this fight and we cannot stand by and watch it slowly die in front of our eyes. It needs attention, right now right here.
