Ali Azim, Mongla (Bagerhat) 

The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is confronting an escalating ecological crisis as its dominant tree species, the Sundari (Heritiera fomes), faces severe threats from parasitic weed infestations and top-dying disease.

According to forest officials and experts, parasitic plants (paragacha) have spread alarmingly across 25 to 30 percent of Sundari trees in the Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges of the Eastern Sundarbans. Once confined to branches, the parasites now attack the main trunks, stunting growth, turning leaves yellow, and ultimately killing the trees.

Experts attribute the deterioration to a compounding mix of climate change impacts, including increased saltwater intrusion during natural disasters  heavy siltation choking internal rivers and canals, such as the 16-kilometer stretch of the Bhola River (locally known as "Mora Bhola") and shrinking aquatic breeding grounds for fish and shrimp due to declining mangrove density.

Over one million people dependent directly or indirectly on the Sundarbans are feeling the economic fallout. Honey collectors (mawalis) report that finding beehives has become exceptionally difficult after traveling miles through dried-up forest patches. Meanwhile, local fishermen note a sharp decline in native fish varieties due to habitat loss, compounded by unregulated fishing practices.

Researchers and forest department officials emphasize the urgent need for coordinated scientific research to identify the parasitic species, monitor tree health, and accelerate river dredging projects like the restoration of the Bhola River to revive freshwater flows.