To safeguard the Sundarbans, it is crucial to control pollution and strictly suppress wildlife crimes. The incidents of poisoning rivers and canals to catch fish and illegal deer hunting are increasing day by day, posing a severe threat to the environment. The encroachment by land grabbers is gradually shrinking the forest’s area, while coal pollution from the Rampal power plant is significantly damaging the Pasur River and the Sundarbans’ ecosystem. If these destructive projects and activities are not stopped, the existence of the Sundarbans will be in grave danger.
On the occasion of International Forest Day 2025, a sit-in protest was organized on Friday, March 21, in the mangrove forest of Mongla Government College, jointly initiated by Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), Sundarban Rokhhay Amra, Pasur River Waterkeeper, and Service Bangladesh. The protest called for an end to poisoning for fish hunting, illegal deer hunting, and all forms of wildlife killings, as well as the cancellation of forest-destructive projects.
The event was presided over by Md. Noor Alam Sk., Coordinator of Sundarban Rokkhae Amra and Pasur River Waterkeeper. Other speakers included Mustafizur Rahman Milon, President of Service Bangladesh and an environmental activist; Kamala Sarker and Chhobi Hajra, leaders of Dhara; Idris Imon from Sundarban Rokkhae Amra; Hasib Sardar, an environmental activist; Nazmul Hossain, Dollar Molla, and Mehedi Hasan, volunteers of Pasur River Waterkeeper; and Maruf Howlader, an environmental activist.
In his speech, Md. Noor Alam Sk. stated, “The Sundarbans protect us from natural disasters, but who will protect the Sundarbans? Some corrupt groups are setting fires in the forest to serve their selfish interests, causing severe environmental destruction. This must be stopped immediately.”
Environmental activist Mustafizur Rahman Milon said, “Coal, poison, and plastic pollution are destroying the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. On this Forest Day, we must pledge to fight against pollution and encroachment to save the Sundarbans.”
Kamala Sarker, leader of DHORA, emphasized, “Destructive projects like the Rampal power plant must be stopped, and if the rampant industrialization in the buffer zone of the Sundarbans is not curbed, the forest cannot be saved.”
Participants in the sit-in protest demanded an end to all destructive activities in the Sundarbans and vowed to work together for environmental conservation.
