The recently constructed patrol outposts under the 'Protection of Sundarbans Mangrove Forest Project' are set to provide crucial shelter for forest guards and foresters during the upcoming monsoon season. Two new outposts in the Hayatkhali and Bojboja areas were completed in the last fiscal year and are now operational. Additionally, ongoing construction of outposts at Nalian Station, Hadda, Sharbatkhali, Shakbaria, and Pashkhali under the Khulna range, as well as the Kalagachia patrol camp under the Satkhira range, is expected to be finished soon. The government initiative aims to protect forest guards from natural calamities such as cyclonic storms and tidal surges, which pose significant dangers to their lives. The three-storey office-staff barracks of the Sundarbans Protection Project have become a safe haven for the forest guards during natural disasters, said Mizanur Rahman, in charge of the Bojboja patrol camp, and Md Muktadir, in charge of the Hayatkhali camp, noting the improved morale among the forest guards due to the enhanced security. The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, serves as a vital shield against natural disasters, protecting the coastal population. The Tk 157.87 crore project, which started in January 2021, is set to be completed by December this year, according to the Forest Department. The project includes the construction of 28 new outposts and two range offices. Sundarbans Day in southwestern region on Feb 14; a clarion call to love, save the forest Additional initiatives under the project involve the re-excavation of the Bhola and Aruaber rivers and Kharma canals, alongside research and survey works focusing on the Sundarbans. Key activities of the project include training Forest Department officials in wildlife crime control, wildlife conservation, primary treatment, SMART patrolling, wildlife habitat observation, and other essential skills. This training aims to enhance their efficiency and response to the diverse challenges within the Sundarbans. Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin, Khulna Divisional Forest Officer for the Sundarbans West Zone, emphasized the project's significance. The long-standing housing problem of forest guards will be solved through this initiative, he said. Post-implementation, they will have detailed ecological data on trees, plants, animals, birds, water salinity, and aquatic life, he added. The Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) and the Arannyak Foundation have been conducting research for two years, with findings expected to be available by December 2025. This research includes studying the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, the impacts of climate change, increasing salinity, early disease diagnosis in Sundari trees, and the lifecycle of forest animals and aquatic resources. "Biodiversity and aquatic resources of the Sundarbans, an invaluable resource of Bangladesh, need to be researched in a multidimensional and coordinated way," said Prof. Anwarul Quadir, executive director of Sundarbans Academy. "We have been demanding the government form a separate ministry for the Sundarbans to ensure its protection and preservation." Climate change makes a decline in forest density in Sundarbans’ water bodies: Study

Sundarbans, world’s largest mangrove forest, is abuzz with footsteps of a large number of tourists – both local and foreign – due its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife. After three months of closure, Sundarbans opened to tourists on September 1. The mangrove forest was off-limits to tourists from June 1 to August 31 by the Forest Department to ensure the breeding of 375 species of wild animals and 291 species of fish, including the Bengal tiger and deer. According to the Forest Department, at present, 114 Royal Bengal tigers, 375 species of wildlife including 200,000 deer, 334 species of plants including Sundari, 165 species of algae, 13 species of orchids, and 300 species of birds call the Sundarbans home. Fence to be erected in parts of Sundarbans to tackle human-tiger conflicts Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, forest officer of Sundarbans East zone, said a total of 4,908 local and 72 foreign tourists have visited the Sundarbans since it reopened till September 26. Last year, the number of local tourists was 2,332 and foreign tourists were seven in the 26 days of September. Md Saiful Islam, director of Sundari Eco Resort, said an eco village has been set up in Dhangmari, and they are working on developing community-based tourism. Sundarbans reopens to tourists, foresters after three-month closure “We have provided employment to hundreds of locals, and the local stakeholders are also being benefited through this,” he said. “This month, we have provided services to 34 tourists from China, Germany, Japan, Poland and India and the visitors felt delighted to visit the village, wearing local attire,” he added. Abu Foysal Mohammad Sayem Babu, director of Holidays Tours and Travels, said, “The Sundarbans has become the biggest attraction for foreign travellers, and keeping that in mind we are providing services to tourists through modern and luxurious cruise ships.” Deer poaching in Sundarbans rising at alarming rate amid lax monitoring He also claimed that the number of tourists in the Sundarbans will see further increase if the government lowers the travel fee for foreign travellers. A Japanese tourist, currently in the Sundarbans, said, “After hearing the story of the Sundarbans, I came here, at the Sundari Eco Resort. I did not expect to see such a charming village.” Azad Kabir, in-charge of Karamjal Tourist and Wild Animal Breeding Center, said that hundreds of tourists have visited the main attractions in the Sundarbans, and were overwhelmed by the scenic beauty.

Beyond the luscious greenery and eye-soothing forestry, Sundarbans is also the largest mangrove forest in the world. Situated in the southwestern end of Bangladesh, the forest comprises over 10,000 square kilometers of unaltered forest. Of this, over 6,000 square kilometers are situated in Bangladesh part. Every year, there’s a high influx of tourists in the post-monsoon and early winter seasons. Naturally, several eco-parks and resorts have been built to cater to the growing number of tourists each year. Let’s look at some of the best eco-resorts in Sundarbans which can be an ideal stay for your visit to the world’s largest Mangrove forest. 5 Popular Eco Resorts in Sundarban  Harbaria Eco Park The first one on the list is Harbaria Eco Park. The place was first established as a tourism center back in 2010. Subsequently, the area was expanded to make way for the eco-park. The place itself is situated deep within the forest area on the opposite bank of the Sundarbans. Read Sundarbans reopens to tourists, fishermen after 3 months Tourists can easily visit the eco-park from the Mongla Port downstream through the Rupsha river. There is a large open area to embrace the scenic beauty of the Sundarbans. Moreover, the wanderlusts can easily hop onto one of the watch towers of Sundarbans to experience the surrounding majestical panoramic views. Iraboti Eco Resort and Research Center Iraboti Eco Resort offers some of the best cottage experiences in the greater Sundarban Area. Moving away from the main Rupsha river, the cottage is nestled upstream on the Goran tributary. Read Sundarbans to have 4 more eco-tourism centres The resort itself also serves as a research center for Sundarban wildlife. On the river end, several cottages are arranged facing the deep jungle of Sundarban right across the river. The cottage also has its own boats for touring the mangrove forest.  The tourists can easily spot hordes of monkeys and deer as they move along the bank. And if it's a lucky day, the travellers might even see the royal Bengal Tiger. Iraboti has a standard package of single cottage housing 4 people for 4000 BDT per day. The rate is standard for all the cottages with food expenses charged separately. Read Sundarbans tourism: Now focus on automation to improve services

Even seven months after its approval red tapes are holding back a much-hyped government project aimed at the sustainable conversation of Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.   The Tk. 1.5-billion Sundarbans Conservation project got the go-ahead by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) at its last January 5 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read: Tiger population growing in the Sundarbans: PM The meeting set December 31, 2024, as the deadline to complete the project. But officials are yet clear necessary files delaying take-off of the important project on the Sundarbans, home to famed Bengal Tigers, exotic flora, and fauna. Besides, the forest has worked as a natural shield to protect the coast from severe cyclones. What’s the project about? The project will be implemented to protect the Sundarbans in a sustainable manner through the modernisation of internal communication systems with ICT. Read Effective strategies adopted to protect Sundarbans: Environment Minister Surveys will be conducted to track the number of animals, their habitats and diseases and the characteristics of the conserved area and its environment under this project. This project also aims at automating the conventional permit system and identity cards of about 30,000 collectors of the forest’s resources and other beneficiaries, introduce a plan for ‘Eco-tourism’ and ensure training up the tourist guides. Employment opportunities will also be created through the project for locals in excavation and re-excavation programs of ponds, canals and rivers of the Sundarbans. Read Golpata trees dying a slow death in the Sundarbans “At least 3 million people of 39 upazilas of Barishal division will get jobs on implementation of this project,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of West Sundarbans, Dr Abu Nasr Mohsin. Programs will be conducted to establish, repair and maintain offices, residential buildings, barracks, wooden jetties, pontoons and to buy fast moving vessels. Besides, the officials appointed for safeguarding the vast forest area will be trained up, Khulna-based Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory, computer software, software license and GPS tracking facilities will be improved under this project. Read:Sundarbans plays role as a carbon sink: Alok Sharma