34 fires in 23 years in World Heritage Sundarbans
The world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, has experienced 34 fire incidents over the past 23 years—all of which occurred in the eastern part of the forest. The latest fire is currently burning in the Kalomteji Forest Patrol Post area under the Chandpai Range of East Sundarbans.
The previous fire occurred in May 2021 near Daser Bharani in the same eastern region. The East Forest Department has investigated all 34 fire incidents that have occurred since 2002.
Notable Fire Incidents:
March 22, 2002: About one acre of grassland burned in Katka, Sharankhola Range ; March 25, 2004: Three acres of forest burned near the Nangli Camp, Chandpai Range April 8, 2005: Three acres of forest burned in Kadolteji, under Dhanasagar Station; March 27, 2016: A fire broke out near Nangli Forest Camp of Dhanasagar Station, Chandpai Range and February 8, 2021 and about 0.1 acre of forest burned in the Dhanasagar patrol post area.According to the Forest Department's investigation reports, the estimated financial loss from all 34 fires amounts to BDT 2.3 million (2,353,300 Taka). However, the actual damage to biodiversity and the environment remains largely unquantified and is believed to be more severe than reported.Analysis of the reports indicates that most fires were caused by negligence of local fishermen and honey collectors. The primary sources of ignition were discarded cigarette butts, bidi, or torches used to drive away bees.The Sundarbans, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Bangladeshi portion covers 6,017 square kilometers—51% of the country's reserved forest area. It is home to 334 plant species, 375 species of wildlife, 42 mammal species, 35 reptile species, and 315 bird species.Currently, efforts to control the fire that broke out on Saturday morning are facing challenges due to a lack of water sources within the forest. Authorities mentioned they will attempt to pump water through boats once the tide brings water into nearby canals.Bipuleshwar Das, a forester at Dhanasagar Station under the Chandpai Range of East Sundarbans, said:"The fire is burning deep inside the forest, about two to two and a half kilometers from the nearest canal. There are no nearby water sources. We’ll bring water through the canal during high tide to douse the fire."Former UP member of Dhanasagar, Panna Mia, and local resident Fazlur Rahman reported seeing smoke rising from the forest in the Taparbil area near Kalomteji Patrol Post in the morning. They notified the forest station officers.
Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the East Sundarbans Forest Division in Bagerhat, said, efforts are being made to gather information and take necessary steps to control the fire in the Sundarbans.
The previous fire occurred in May 2021 near Daser Bharani in the same eastern region. The East Forest Department has investigated all 34 fire incidents that have occurred since 2002.
Notable Fire Incidents:
March 22, 2002: About one acre of grassland burned in Katka, Sharankhola Range ; March 25, 2004: Three acres of forest burned near the Nangli Camp, Chandpai Range April 8, 2005: Three acres of forest burned in Kadolteji, under Dhanasagar Station; March 27, 2016: A fire broke out near Nangli Forest Camp of Dhanasagar Station, Chandpai Range and February 8, 2021 and about 0.1 acre of forest burned in the Dhanasagar patrol post area.According to the Forest Department's investigation reports, the estimated financial loss from all 34 fires amounts to BDT 2.3 million (2,353,300 Taka). However, the actual damage to biodiversity and the environment remains largely unquantified and is believed to be more severe than reported.Analysis of the reports indicates that most fires were caused by negligence of local fishermen and honey collectors. The primary sources of ignition were discarded cigarette butts, bidi, or torches used to drive away bees.The Sundarbans, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Bangladeshi portion covers 6,017 square kilometers—51% of the country's reserved forest area. It is home to 334 plant species, 375 species of wildlife, 42 mammal species, 35 reptile species, and 315 bird species.Currently, efforts to control the fire that broke out on Saturday morning are facing challenges due to a lack of water sources within the forest. Authorities mentioned they will attempt to pump water through boats once the tide brings water into nearby canals.Bipuleshwar Das, a forester at Dhanasagar Station under the Chandpai Range of East Sundarbans, said:"The fire is burning deep inside the forest, about two to two and a half kilometers from the nearest canal. There are no nearby water sources. We’ll bring water through the canal during high tide to douse the fire."Former UP member of Dhanasagar, Panna Mia, and local resident Fazlur Rahman reported seeing smoke rising from the forest in the Taparbil area near Kalomteji Patrol Post in the morning. They notified the forest station officers.
Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the East Sundarbans Forest Division in Bagerhat, said, efforts are being made to gather information and take necessary steps to control the fire in the Sundarbans.
