Plastic pollution has been posing a serious threat to both the ecosystem and biodiversity of Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, for the last couple of decades.
Prof Abdullah Harun Chowdhury of the Environmental Science Discipline at Khulna University said single-use plastics, used in Khulna and other areas near the Sundarbans, have made their way into the forest.
“Besides, plastic bottles were seen scattered along the banks of Bhairab river near the forest frequently.”
He explained that plastic in coastal areas is entering the food chain through fish, affecting their reproductive process and growth. This plastic pollution also impacts other aquatic animals.
Single-use plastics have severely damaged the environment and biodiversity of the Sundarbans.
Prof Harun said, “The gravity of pollution caused by plastics is more than meets the eye. Wild animals often end up eating these plastics.”
Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion and extreme weather events, improve water quality by filtering pollutants and serve as nurseries for many marine creatures.
They can help fight climate change by sequestering millions of tons of carbon each year in their trees’ leaves, trunks, roots and the soil.
The Sundarbans, located on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, also help buffer coastal communities in Bangladesh from the cyclones that frequently strike the country during its annual monsoon.
He said, “The Sundarbans and coastal areas are now covered in plastic. Single-use plastics are harmful to public health and the environment.”
Quoting findings of much of the research he mentioned that at least 17 species of fish and three kinds of species of shellfish in the three main rivers of the world’s largest mangrove forest are infected with microplastics.
To address this issue, Prof Harun emphasised the need for responsible tourism and collaboration with tour operators to promote sustainable practices.
He stressed the importance of adopting a circular economy that promotes plastic recycling and gradually eliminates its use.
He also mentioned plans for a green growth strategy aimed at fostering environmentally friendly development.
“It’s important to educate future generations to reduce plastic consumption,” he said.
Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer, Sundarban West Forest Division, Khulna, said they have informed all tour operators that single-use plastics are completely banned in the Sundarbans.
“The main challenge is that plastic is entering the Sundarbans through rivers and canals of the city. We can’t control the use of plastics in city areas. The authorities concerned should be more proactive in this regard,” he added.
Plastic pollution caused by irresponsible tourist behaviour is wreaking havoc on Sundarbans ecosystems.
Nurul highlighted the detrimental effects of plastic waste thrown away by tourists, which eventually break down into micro-plastics.
“This process reduces the fertility of the forest floor and impedes seed germination,” he said.
Illustrating the destructive impact of plastic on forest and river ecosystems the forest officer specifically pointed out trawler-based tour operators as major contributors to plastic pollution in the Sundarbans, blaming their excessive use of single-use plastic.
Plastics pour into the bay from upstream rivers and neighbouring areas and choke the coastal lands with locally generated waste.
Reducing plastic accumulation in the ocean and coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal is critical and needs concerted, multi-pronged actions.
The Sundarbans forest straddles the Bangladeshi coastline and is home to some of the world’s rarest creatures, including the Bengal tiger and the Irrawaddy dolphin.
In the Sundarbans, there are scores of aquatic animals, including 210 species of white fishes, 26 species of shrimp, 13 species of crabs and 42 species of snails, and around 30 lakh populations are dependent on those for their livelihood.
The forest is also enriched with huge wild animals, particularly Royal Bengal tiger, saline water crocodile, deer, monkey, pig, snake, reptiles and mammals.
Apart from this, there are scores of species of birds in the forest.
There is an urgent need of protecting and conserving the forest along with its existing biodiversity and ecosystem from pollution caused by plastic and polythene.
More than 530 youths have become united to protect biodiversity and ecosystem of the forest through generating awareness among the people living adjacent to the forest.
A powerful network has been formed with the youths both male and female after organizing and empowering them under a project initiated by Rupantar, a Khulna-based development organisation.
The project titled “Reducing Pollution and Improving Ecology of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest and their Zones of Influence in Bangladesh” is being implemented in 17 upazilas under Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna and Pirojpur districts.
The project is intended to supplement the government’s three R (reduce, reuse and recycle) implementation strategy. As a whole, it will contribute to attain the sustainable development goal related to boosting public awareness against plastic pollution.
Talking to BSS, Swapan Kumar Guha, executive director of Rupantar, said the youths are committed to resist plastic waste and pollution together with protecting its soil and water from further degradation.