Sundarbans reopens today after three-month ban: Hope Mixed with Fear

The inlets of the Sundarbans are opening today, September 1, following a three-month seasonal ban. After a long stretch without work, fishermen, forest resource harvesters (bawalis), and trawler owners are busy preparing for their livelihoods.

Some are repairing boats, others are mending nets, and many are testing engines. Tourist trawlers are also being readied for the new season. However, alongside the joy of returning to the forest, a lingering fear of forest bandits troubles the workers. They worry that if they must pay extortion money to bandits before earning enough from fish and crabs to cover their debts, they will face heavy losses this season as well.

To facilitate the breeding of fish and aquatic life, ensure safe movement for wildlife, and allow forest vegetation to regenerate, harvesting fish and crabs as well as tourism are prohibited in the Sundarbans every year from June through August. Entry into the forest remains strictly banned during this period. With the ban ending, forest resource gatherers and tourists can enter the forest starting today by following rules and obtaining valid passes.

Activity among forest-dependent communities is now clearly visible across areas such as Burigoalini, Munshiganj, and Gabura in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, as well as Sarankhola and Mongla in Bagerhat. Having no income for three months, many families survived on borrowed money. They now hope to repay those debts by catching fish and crabs in the forest.

Manik Mondal, a forest worker from Burigoalini, shared that they accept the three-month ban to protect the forest, but without income during this period, they are forced to take high-interest loans to run their households. They aim to pay off those debts once the forest opens.

Fishermen from Sarankhola, including Ayub Ali, Ismail Hossain, and Subol Munda, mentioned that spending three months without work was extremely difficult. They even had to borrow money just to repair their boats and nets. While they hope to clear debts and support their families, their anxiety over extortion by forest bandits remains strong.

Multiple forest workers alleged that during the previous season, they were forced to pay extortion money to bandits to obtain permission slips before entering the forest. They demanded continuous and effective operations to crack down on these bandit groups. Immediate statements from relevant authorities regarding these allegations were not available.

Alongside forest workers, tourism operators have also geared up for the new season. Mohammad Nantu, a tourism operator from Mongla, stated that there are over 500 tourist trawlers operating in the Eastern Sundarbans. Trawler drivers and workers remain unemployed during the June-to-August ban, but they expect the reopening to revitalize the local economy once again.
Forest officials report that human activity in the Sundarbans decreased significantly during the three-month closure, resulting in visible improvements to wildlife habitats and young plant growth. Md. Rezaul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer for the Eastern Sundarbans, noted that the break allowed the forest's 11 tourism spots to rejuvenate while crime rates dropped. To aid in identifying offenders, authorities are utilizing nine drone cameras this year.

Despite the ban, illegal entries were not completely eliminated. According to the Western Sundarbans Forest Division, 63 operations were conducted over the three-month period, leading to 39 cases filed and 37 individuals arrested.

A. Z. M. Hasanur Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer for the Western Sundarbans, stated that entry permits will be issued starting September 1 under official regulations. He assured that patrols and monitoring will continue to ensure worker safety, curb banditry, and prevent poison fishing and wildlife poaching.

Echoing these points, Md. Shariful Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Sarankhola Range in the Eastern Sundarbans, highlighted that the forest serves as a vital hub for both biodiversity and fishery resources. He confirmed that fishermen and tourists adhering to regulations will be allowed entry starting September 1.

While the three-month restriction remains essential for protecting the Sundarbans' ecosystem, it also highlights the severe livelihood challenges faced by forest-dependent communities. Balancing environmental conservation with the economic security and safety of these workers remains critical. As the forest reopens, fishermen and resource gatherers hope they can earn a living safely and return home without hardship.