"Efforts to extinguish the blaze deep within the Sundarbans are underway, but it's expected to be a time-consuming endeavor"

 

                                    Sunday morning pictures

Over the past two decades, the Sundarbans Forest Department has recorded a minimum of 24 fire incidents within the Sundarbans. Notably, the 2021 fire took over two days to quell. These fires are often linked to various factors, including the inadvertence of forest users, the proximity of dwindling rivers and streams, acts of vandalism, and ignition from discarded bidis and cigarettes.

Presently, concerted efforts are underway to combat the ongoing blaze. The firefighting team from the Navy, alongside the Coast Guard and local fire service personnel, are vigorously engaged in extinguishing the flames. Additionally, the Air Force's helicopter was observed spraying water, augmenting the firefighting operations. Situated in the southwestern region of Bangladesh, the Sundarbans stands as the world's largest mangrove forest.

                                     fire service of bangladesh 

The fire originated in an area known locally as the Amurbunia forest within the Chandpai range of the East Sundarbans, situated approximately four to five kilometers from the nearest locality. Notably, there are no canals or reservoirs nearby. To investigate the incident thoroughly, a three-member committee led by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Rana Dev, has been appointed.

Efforts to contain the fire have seen significant progress, with a fire line established over a distance of two and a half kilometers. However, due to its scattered nature across different areas, complete extinguishment may require considerable time and resources. Despite challenges posed by the absence of nearby water sources and the nocturnal presence of wildlife, endeavors to suppress the fire have been relentless.

Local speculation regarding the fire's origin suggests the accumulation of dry leaves and bushes within the Sundarbans, potentially ignited by unknown causes. While some attribute such incidents to the practices of individuals seeking livelihoods within the forest, official commentary on these matters remains reserved.

The response to the fire commenced promptly, with firefighting operations initiated on Saturday and escalated by Sunday morning. However, the nocturnal conditions and the risk of encountering wildlife delayed nighttime operations. Despite initial concerns regarding potential overnight spread, vigilant efforts averted further escalation.

The recurrent occurrence of fires underscores the critical need for sustained conservation efforts and heightened public awareness to safeguard the invaluable ecological treasure that is the Sundarbans.

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