The Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh, Andre Carstens, and the EU Deputy Head of Delegation Dr Bernd Spanier, visited the Sundarbans on Saturday.

They left the WildTeam Conservation Biology Centre at Joymoni around 7 am and came back before 2 pm.

At the Harbaria Ecotourism Centre, they were greeted by a ruddy kingfisher, Rhesus macaques, and fresh tiger pugmarks. Later, they visited Harbaria Khal, where they met up with five crocodiles, including one baby crocodile, three juveniles, and one adult.

All of them were basking on mud flats.

The adult crocodile allowed them 15 minutes to observe it, which they described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They also saw a good number of spotted deer. Among the birds, the Great Egret, Crested Serpent Eagle, and White-bellied Sea Eagle captivated them the most.

They marvelled at the beauty of the mangrove forests, admiring the diverse mangrove species and their unique breathing roots. Plants too need oxygen, but it was amazing for them to witness how the breathing roots, also known as pneumatophores, anchored the trees and breathed at the same time.

Nypa palm groves looked amazing as they grow even in water.

They observed how the local community relies on the resources of the Sundarbans for their livelihood, with many depending on the catch of fish, shrimp, and crabs. The fisherfolk appeared incredibly brave as they worked in this challenging environment.

They spend day and night, even in this cold weather, fishing. They all have a small kitchen at one end of the boat; a few had solar panels.

During the visit, they discussed how the Sundarbans face the challenges of climate change. Their worries were what would happen to this beautiful forest and its amazing biodiversity with a few inches of sea level rise.

They now realise what made the Sundarbans a World Heritage Site. Saturday’s visit made them feel that this forest should be in the list of the first 10-12 of the world’s most important natural heritage sites.

As a world citizen, they felt like they too should join others to protect this precious global asset. The name of the forest made them doubly happy, the Sundarbans, after the name of the Sundari tree, the beautiful forest.

They also discovered the intrinsic beauty of the forest, which they described as the lungs of Bangladesh. It not only protects people from cyclones but also nourishes millions. As the largest spawning ground for fish, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem.

They felt that the tigers are the guardians of the forest, while the local communities serve as the guardians of the tigers.

The experience left them reflecting on the forest, its biodiversity, and the people who live in harmony with it.