A devastating fire that broke out in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been brought under control by firefighters after more than 24 hours of efforts. The fire, which caused damage to about four acres of the forest, was contained by Sunday morning, reports UNB.
A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire, led by Dipen Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) at the Chandpai Range of Sundarbans East Division. The committee, which also includes Bipuleshwar Chandra Das and Md Rafiqul Islam, will submit a report within seven working days, according to Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Division.
Forest officials, with the help of local villagers, worked tirelessly through Saturday night, using water from the Bhola River to control the blaze. Firefighters joined the effort on Sunday morning, setting up a pipeline to transport water. By 11:30 am, no visible flames were left, though some smoke continued to linger in certain areas.
Despite the fire being brought under control, it caused minor damage to Balla and Nal forests. A fire-line spanning 1.5 kilometers was created to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Aftab-e-Alam, officer-in-charge of Sarankhola Fire Station, confirmed that 90 percent of the fire was extinguished by Sunday morning, with no flames visible but occasional smoke prompting continued spraying.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation, with DFO Karim speculating that illegal honey collectors, who may have entered the forest before the honey collection season officially begins on April 1, might have been responsible. He also suggested that herders crossing the Bhola River with livestock could have sparked the fire.
This fire marks the 29th fire incident in the Sundarbans over the past 19 years. The last major fire occurred on May 4, 2024, and over 85 acres of the forest have been destroyed by fires in that time. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause and the extent of the damage.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
