Sundarbans: Climate change affecting world’s largest mangrove forest in Bangladesh

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Mohammad Yunus Gazi, once a farmer in a remote area of Bangladesh’s southwestern coastal district of Satkhira, now collects honey from Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, in the Bay of Bengal.

Gazi became a beekeeper more than a decade ago as climate change-induced salinity has destroyed the region's fertile land.

“My father and a brother were killed by tigers while yielding honey, but we have no other option as agriculture is not possible anymore,” Gazi told Anadolu Agency.

He said he also occasionally tries to catch fish in the river across the Sundarbans with his homemade fishing net.

Like Gazi, hundreds of thousands of coastal communities had to abandon agriculture and now depend on the Sundarbans to survive, creating an adverse impact on the mangrove habitat that is home to globally endangered species such as the Royal Bengal tiger.

For survival, they also frequently cut trees from the mangrove forest, which is considered to be a shield for the South Asian country during natural disasters.

Bangladesh is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations in the world and frequently faces natural calamities such as floods during the monsoon season (the months of July, August, and September), and cyclones.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency ahead of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Mohon Kumar Mondal, executive director of the Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society, an NGO, said at least 10,000 widows, whose husbands became victims to tigers, are currently living in coastal areas adjacent to Sundarbans.

Ainun Nishat, an environmentalist and university professor, told Anadolu Agency that salinity is increasing in the southwestern parts of Bangladesh at an alarming proportion, putting the ecosystem of Sundarbans at great risk.

He warned that if world leaders fail to combat global warming, and sea level rise continues, salinity will grip the entire Sundarbans in the near future.

- Salinity ruthless killer of Sundari trees

“Sundari trees (mangrove tree species) cannot tolerate salinity. In 50 years’ time you will not see a single such tree,” Nishat said.

Bangladesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin said his country contributes less than 0.47% of global carbon emissions, but has become one of the most climate-vulnerable nations due to its geographical location.

“Sea level rises and increasing salinity are causing severe negative impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people of Bangladesh,” Shahab Uddin said.

He said one-fifth of Bangladesh could be inundated by a one-meter rise in sea level, displacing millions of people.

Noting that Bangladesh is one of the founding members of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a platform of 55 of the most climate-vulnerable countries, he said his country is playing its due role in UN climate talks.

“Now the rich countries should come forward, as they are mainly responsible for carbon emissions and rising global temperatures,” he added. ​​​​​

Referring to Bangladesh’s long-term plan to address the impact of climate change, the minister said: “The government has recently revised the Bangladesh Climate Change Society and Action Plan to make the plan more focused and action-oriented.”

He added that authorities have also formulated the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, a strategy to deal with the riverine and coastal adaptation issues, particularly to secure the future of water resources and mitigate the negative effects of climate change and natural disasters.

For Mondal, the government has to take some specific initiatives immediately. “Authorities must create alternative income sources for those who are dependent on the Sundarbans … they should be trained on how to utilize forests, without affecting its ecological balance,” he said.

He also suggested afforestation and due action against those who are destroying biodiversity. “The forest department knows very well the quarters committing illegal acts, they ought to work honestly,” he argued.