Khulna  Bureau 

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam directed relevant authorities to strictly fulfill their duties to halt the practice of catching fish using poison in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans.

The State Minister delivered the directive as the chief guest during an exchange meeting with members of the Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans (TOAS) aboard the vessel 'Explore-2' at the BIWTA Ghat in Khulna on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking at the meeting, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam stated that catching fish using poison in the Sundarbans' waterbodies must be stopped at all costs, warning that administrative action will be taken against responsible officials if they fail to perform their duties effectively.

Highlighting sustainable tourism, the State Minister noted that scientific research is needed to determine the daily carrying capacity of visitors to the Sundarbans to prevent over-tourism from impacting the ecosystem. He further directed the complete ban of single-use plastics, disposable plates, and glasses inside the forest, while urging vessel operators to gradually transition to solar power to reduce engine dependence.

The State Minister also suggested keeping tourist stay durations within reasonable limits and recommended incorporating historical and archaeological sites across Khulna and Bagerhat into tour packages during the seasonal closure of the Sundarbans.

During the discussion, TOAS leaders, including General Secretary Shah Zaman Popool, presented various industry challenges and requested a reconsideration of the three-month annual tourist ban from June to August, citing economic hardship for operators, vessel owners, guides, and boatmen. 

Presided over by Khulna Regional Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed, the meeting was attended by leaders and members of TOAS, civil society representatives, and journalists from print and electronic media.