Sundarbans reopens to visitors with new lustre

Dhaka : After a three-month hiatus, the popular tourist spot of the country Sundarbans has reopened to welcome visitors on September 1.
In light of fish-breeding season, the Forest Department imposed a ban on fishing and fish harvesting in the rivers and canals of the world's largest mangrove forest from June 1 to August 31. 
Visitors were also banned from entering the Sundarbans during this period.
However, the restrictions have been lifted, said Mihir Kumar Dey, Conservator of Forests in the Khulna region, according to report. 
Alongside tourists, foresters are also allowed back into the Sundarbans with a permit.
The initiative to prohibit fishing in the Sundarbans during the summer months started in 2019, in line with the recommendations of the Integrated Resources Management Planning (IRMP) to protect fishery resources.
In 2022, however, the duration of the ban was extended by a month, starting on June 1.
Ahead of the reopening, forest-dependent fishermen, tour operators, launches and boatmen were busy making preparations.
Tour operators highlighted the Sundarbans' standing as one of the most attractive tourist destinations not only in the country but also the world. Every year, over 200,000 local and foreign tourists immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the vast tract of forest and saltwater swamps.
In 2022, they expect an even bigger turnout as the launch of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has established direct road links to the southern region.
Visitors can choose from an array of launches, tour boats, trawlers and other vessels to travel to various coastal and forest areas, including Karamjal, Katka, Kachikhali, Harbaria, Hiron Point, Dubla and Neelkamal.
However, the increased cost of fuel and other necessities in the wake of a global energy crisis has put a strain on tour operators, said M Nazmul Azam David, General Secretary of the Sundarbans Tour Operators Association.
The establishment of heavy industrial units near the Sundarbans, the varying degree of pollution emitted by vessels traversing the forest, the unregulated movement of tourists and the construction of 'unplanned infrastructure' have had an adverse impact on wildlife in the region, said Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, a professor of environmental science at Khulna University.
However, Zahirul Islam Jewel, Station Officer of the Kalabagi Eco Tourism Centre, said the three-month ban on entry into the Sundarbans has allowed the forest to regain its lustre.