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Tourism, fishing banned in Sundarbans for three months
The Forest Department has imposed a three-month ban on all entry into the Sundarbans to protect the biodiversity of the forest.
No fishermen, honey collectors, or tourists will be allowed to enter the forest from June 1 to August 31 as this period is considered as the peak breeding time for both fish and wildlife.
According to officials, most fish species in the Sundarbans' rivers and canals spawn during the period and the ban is part of the 2020 Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP) which restricts fishing during the period to safeguard aquatic life.
Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said all permits for fishing and forest access have been suspended.
Moreover, forest outposts, patrol stations and checkpoints have been kept on high alert to prevent illegal activities.
The UNESCO-recognised world heritage Sundarbans spans 6,017 square kilometers, including 4,143 sq km of land and 1,873 sq km of water and homes to 528 plant species, 125 Royal Bengal Tigers, over 136,000 spotted deer, 355 bird species, and numerous other reptiles and mammals, including endangered dolphins and crocodiles, reports UNB.
According to the forest department, climate change has severely impacted the mangrove forest, putting many species at risk.
Storms and tidal surges have previously washed away wildlife, including deer.