A fire that erupted two days ago in the Shapla Bil area of the Sundarbans continues to blaze, with authorities struggling to contain its spread. Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, the fire remains far from under control, according to forest officials, reports UNB.
On Monday, sporadic flames and smoke were still visible across various parts of the forest, with approximately five acres of forest land already destroyed. Firefighting operations are still underway, with water being pumped from the nearby Bhola River, located about 3 kilometers away, to combat the blaze. However, the success of these efforts is heavily influenced by the tides. During low tide, when the water level drops, firefighting activities temporarily cease.
Md Abu Bakar Zaman, assistant director of the Khulna Fire Brigade and Civil Defence, explained that pipes have been laid to pump water from the Bhola River for firefighting purposes. The operation, which began on Sunday night at 8:30 pm, has continued without interruption, but the effectiveness of the operation is compromised during low tide. By Monday morning, water was again used to combat the fire, although flames and smoke were still visible.
Zaman noted that had a more consistent water source been available, the fire could have been contained more quickly. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
Dipen Chandra Das, assistant forest conservator of the Chandpai Range in the Sundarbans East Division, reported that a 5-kilometer fire lane had been cleared in Shapla Bil to prevent the fire from spreading. However, due to dense vegetation such as palm trees and vines, it has been impossible to apply water across the entire stretch. As of 11 am on Monday, some sections of the fire lane remained untreated, and firefighting efforts continued to be hindered by tidal limitations.
Das also highlighted that fires in the Sundarbans are particularly difficult to control, especially when water sources are distant. The fire is located about 3 kilometers from the Bhola River, which complicates access, and siltation in the riverbed leads to water shortages. As a result, firefighting teams rely entirely on the high tide for water.
Preliminary reports indicate that approximately five acres of forest have been destroyed by the fire. Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans East Division, confirmed that efforts to control the fire are ongoing, though progress has been slow due to the lack of nearby water sources.
Firefighting teams, including personnel from the Forest Department, fire stations, Civil Protection Groups (CPGs), Village Forest Management Teams (VTRTs), and local villagers, have been working together to contain the fire.
An investigation team, formed after the fire in the Tepper Bil area, has now been assigned to investigate the fire in Shapla Bil. Karim stated that once the investigation report is received, the exact cause of the fire and the impact on the area's biodiversity will be assessed.
This fire in Shapla Bil follows another blaze in the Tepper Bil area on Saturday, located within the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Division. The fire, which was first spotted at 7 am, was extinguished by Sunday afternoon after the fire brigade and local villagers worked together. The Tepper Bil fire destroyed around four acres of forest, and an investigation committee has been formed to assess the damage and the cause of the blaze.
The proximity of these two fires—occurring just one day apart within a 7-kilometer radius—has raised concerns about possible sabotage. The Forest Department is now considering the possibility of arson.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
