Cyclone Remal has severely damaged the Sundarban Forest Department’s infrastructure, including freshwater storage ponds, creating a critical shortage of fresh water for the Royal Bengal Tiger, Mayabi Deer, and other wildlife. Forest workers are also struggling with the lack of fresh water.
Mihir Kumar Do, Conservator of Forests (CF) for the Sundarbans Division, stated: “The freshwater crisis is severe because the ponds, our only fresh water source for wildlife and forest workers, are now filled with saltwater. We plan to irrigate the ponds to remove salt and wait for rain to refill them. About 80 freshwater ponds have been affected.”
By May 31, the forest department had found 111 dead deer and four pigs in the Sundarbans. Additionally, 18 more deer and one python were found injured. Cyclone Remal caused infrastructural damage worth Tk6.27 crore in the Sundarbans.
Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarban West Division, reported: “In Khulna and Satkhira, infrastructural damage is estimated at Tk2.61 crore. This includes the loss of jetties, freshwater ponds due to salinity, offices, roads, barracks, solar plates, wireless towers, and generators.”
He added: “Infrastructural damage can be repaired with money, but the loss of biodiversity is immeasurable. The Sundarbans need 30-40 years to recover naturally. About 11km of Golpata forest and thousands of bird nests were damaged. For 48 hours, the forest was submerged under 3-9 feet of water, affecting many animals.”
Md Nurul Kabir, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarban East, said: “Cyclone Remal caused Tk3.5 crore in infrastructural damage in East Sundarban. Jetties and ponds were damaged, and many animals, including deer and pigs, died. Surviving animals were treated and released back into the forest. Overall, 20 stations and 50 ponds were affected.”
Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Satkhira Range, confirmed extensive damage to ecotourism sites, stations, watercraft, and infrastructure. The assessment of vegetation and wildlife damage is ongoing.
Efforts are underway to clean and dry the freshwater reservoirs to prepare for future rainfall. Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, an environmental science professor at Khulna University, emphasized the need for creating freshwater reservoirs. He suggested clearing small ponds of brackish water to allow rainwater accumulation.
Dr Mostafa Sarwar from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology expressed hope that the ongoing rainy season would help reduce salinity and highlighted the need to establish freshwater retention areas.
