Increasing human activity and inadequate coordination between India and Bangladesh have hindered conservation efforts in the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans' tigers have earned a largely undeserved reputation as maneaters. Tiger-human conflict is more common here due to the nature of the terrain and the high degree of human activity. In the last 11 years, 95 per cent of those killed in tiger encounters were honey and firewood collectors. But investigations reveal that several deaths may be due to crocodiles, snakes and sometimes, as a result of scores settled between human beings but blamed on the tiger.
The West Bengal government recently announced plans to build a nuclear plant in the Sundarbans, a favoured site due to its proximity to the sea and relative isolation. The proposal has drawn strong protests, embarrassing the West Bengal government.
A proposed 191 km. long International Steamer Channel by the Inland Waterways Authorities through the Tiger Reserve will involve deepening and widening an existing waterway to facilitate bulk transport of cargo and people. The increased traffic will inevitably lead to toxic oil spills, light and noise pollution and regular dredging to maintain the requisite depth, all of which will effect the ecosystem.
Aquaculture establishments have also led to pollution. The recent construction of fresh water ponds, and the cutting of visibility lines hundreds of metres into the mangroves from watchtowers led to the felling of hundreds of trees. Such interference is unnecessary as the habitat and its species have evolved to cope with a brackish water ecosystem. Man-made changes could lead to unpredictable ecological consequences. Thankfully, the West Bengal Forest Department has reviewed this decision and is considering filling the ponds and restoring the habitat.Â
Another major problem facing the Sundarbans ecosystem is the collection of tiger prawn seedlings. For every one kilogramme of tiger prawn seedlings as much as 1000 kg. of mixed fish seed stock is destroyed. This is not only a threat to the tiger but also to over 2,50,000 fisherfolk, who are dependent on the productivity of the Sundarbans mangroves.
India and Bangladesh have jointly launched a UN-funded three-million-dollar project to protect the Sundarbans. As the project reportedly involves tourism, care needs to be taken that it is of the eco-friendly variety, as luxury tourism will only wreak more harm on this fragile area.
The Bangladesh government recently signed a Production Sharing Contract with oil giant Shell and Cairn Energy to begin seismic and aerial surveys for oil and gas reserves in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Local environmental groups warn that the exploration could lead to deforestation, interrupt fresh water flows, alter tidal and drainage patterns, vegetation and soil composition. Low altitude flights could also harm the breeding and migration of sensitive bird species. Shell Bangladesh has claimed it will not conduct any activity in ‘sensitive' areas of the Sundarbans. This statement is confusing given that the entire Sundarbans is ecologically sensitive! Destruction in the Sundarbans would violate international agreements such as the Convention on Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention. Shell's record worldwide shows that it is only too ready to sacrifice environmental imperatives when money is at stake.
Readers who oppose Shell's operations in the Sundarbans can write a polite letter to the authorities.
Â
