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The Sundarbans will reopen on September 1 after a three-month closure, allowing registered fishermen and woodcutters from coastal areas of Satkhira to enter the forest with permits from the Forest Department to collect fish and crabs.
All tourism centres in the Sundarbans will also reopen on the same day for domestic and foreign visitors.
The reopening has brought relief and renewed hope to communities dependent on the forest for their livelihoods after a prolonged period without work.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range Mashiur Rahman said the forest would reopen to all from September 1.
He said the Forest Department, Coast Guard and Naval Police had conducted joint patrols and surveillance during the closure.
Burigoalini Forest Station Officer Fazlul Haque also confirmed that the Sundarbans would reopen on September 1. He said the Forest Department, Coast Guard, Naval Police and Fisheries Department would continue joint monitoring to protect the forest’s biodiversity.
The Forest Department imposes the annual three-month closure to protect the Sundarbans’ natural environment, biodiversity, wildlife breeding and fishery resources. This year, all forms of entry into the forest have remained prohibited from June 1 to August 31.
