The Sundarbans reopened to tourists and forest-dependent people on Tuesday after a three-month ban imposed to protect fish breeding and preserve the biodiversity of the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Fishermen and other forest-dependent people from villages and upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans have completed preparations to return to the forest with valid passes and permits to catch fish and crabs.
The reopening has brought relief to thousands of families who depend directly or indirectly on the forest for their livelihoods after remaining without work for three months.
However, concerns over security remain among the them particularly regarding extortion, harassment and possible abductions by forest criminals.
Forest-dependent people said the number of people relying on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods is much higher than the number officially registered with the government.
Preparations have created a buzz at river ghats and fishing villages adjacent to the Sundarbans.
Fishermen are repairing torn nets, applying tar to old boats and checking the engines of their trawlers. They are also preparing equipment needed for crab collection.
Many families remained without work during the three-month ban and are now facing pressure to repay loans.
The annual fishing ban is imposed during the monsoon breeding season to allow fish to reproduce and protect the forest’s biodiversity.
During this year’s three-month closure, Sundarbans-dependent families had to rely on alternative sources of income to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, preparations have also been completed for tourist vessels, including ships and launches, to resume operations as the Sundarbans is one of the country’s major tourist destinations.
Khulna Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Hasanur Rahman said the three-month closure contributed positively to the forest ecosystem.
“With public access to the forest suspended for three months, vegetation has grown considerably, while the number of deer and other species of wildlife and birds has increased,” he said.
He added that fish production in the rivers and canals flowing through the Sundarbans has also increased during the closure.
The reopening is expected to restore economic activity among communities dependent on fishing, crab collection, tourism and other forest-related activities, while authorities will continue to regulate access through the pass-and-permit system.
According to forest department data, the total revenue generated from the Sundarbans stood at Tk 6,75,81,291 in the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to Tk 7,57,17,994.97 in the 2024-25 fiscal year.