Environmentalists already complain against increasing oil spillage from vessels in and around the Mongia Port that are adversely affecting its biodiversity.
Environmentalist Bittu Sahgal warns against the effects of oil spill on the growth and survival of the two species of trees (gewa and sundari) found in the Sunderbans.
“Unless the state government, along with the Bangladesh government, takes decisive action, we are going to witness a bigger migration of climate refugees than what took place before the 1971 war," Mr Sahgal said and warned that already entire communities are being forced to relocate to other districts.
Mr Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary magazine, had earlier been a member of the ministry of environment and forests' committee looking into infrastructure projects coming up in this area.
“We had shot down a proposal to start an international steamer channel by the Inland Waters Authorities which would have cut across the Sunderbans tiger reserve. We warned the MoEF (ministry of environment and forests) that granting permission would result in toxic oil spills, noise pollution and the need for regular dredging to maintain the requisite depth of the water channel," said Mr Sahgal.
The government is reported to be keen to restart this project as it will shorten the distance between India and Bangladesh. Read the full report here.
Source: by Rashme Sehgal, Correspondent, Deccan Chronicle, New Delhi.
