Three Years into Sidr Disaster
Promises for cyclone shelters, welfare of victims forgotten
Cyclone Sidr on November 15 in 2007 wreaked havoc on a large portion of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, along with other areas of the south-western region.Photo: STAR
The Sundarbans Forest Division is yet to construct well-equipped cyclone shelters in and outside the forest three years into the onslaught of cyclone Sidr that ravaged coastal belts of southern districts including Khulna and Bagerhat on the night of November 15 in 2007. Sidr destroyed forest resources worth over Tk 1,000 crore as estimated by the forest department. The forest department took a move to implement 21-point short and long-term programmes to better lifestyle of fishermen, bawalis and mouals (honey collectors) and provide them with necessary security at the time of natural disasters as they largely contribute to national economy. One of the proposed 21-point programmes under the rehabilitation project of the forest department was to construct sustainable cyclone centres in the forest and its surrounding areas. But this project could not be implemented as no donor agency or non-governmental organisation (NGO) provided fund for the purpose, said Conservator of Forests in Khulna circle Md Akbar Hossain. Besides, works for construction of a permanent fish drying centre at Dublarchar, arrangement of life jackets for forest guards and employees and improvement of sanitation system could not be done due to lack of fund, he said. According to sources of Sundarbans Forest Division (SFD), only three out of eleven ponds in and around the Sundarbans were desalinised at a cost of Tk 5,54,000 as part of short-term programme while at least two years would be required to free the remaining seven ponds from salinity. Twenty ponds were re-excavated, 10 Sidr-damaged jetties inside the forest were repaired at a cost of Tk 10 lakh and damaged tourist centres were renovated at a cost of Tk 19 lakh. The same sources said that a new barrack was constructed in Bagerhat for official staff at a cost of Tk 36 lakh and two more barracks inside the forest were built for guards and employees of different forest camps at a cost of Tk 54 lakh. At least 10 to 12 years would be required to heal the wounds and repair damage done to the Sundarbans by cyclones Sidr and Aila, said the Conservator of Forests in charge of Khulna circle Md Akbar Hossain. Sidr claimed lives of many fishermen of Dublarchar and Meheralirchar adjoining the Bay of Bengal. However, only 30 bodies could be recovered. According to official sources, Sidr claimed lives of 908 people only in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district. Bagerhat was officially listed as the worst affected district of the south-western region ravaged by Sidr. Over a thousand people were killed, over 12,000 others injured and nearly two lakh homesteads were destroyed, rendering several lakh people homeless. Biodiversity of the Sundarbans was seriously affected as Sidr caused extensive damage to the 1,15,000 hectares of forestland there. According to a survey conducted by the Sundarbans Forest Division, four wireless towers, 59 watercrafts and 71 jetties were among other infrastructures badly damaged by Sidr. Different socio-cultural and development organisations of Sharankhola upazila chalked out programmes to observe the completion of third year after Sidr yesterday. A condolence meeting was held at Chalitabunia Government Primary School ground at 9:00am in memory of those who were killed by Sidr. Lawmaker and former state minister Dr Mozammel Hossain was present as chief guest while senior journalist Nazrul Islam, who is convenor of the Sidr observance committee, presided over the condolence meeting. A large number of distinguished persons of Bagerhat district including leaders of different political parties and socio-cultural organisations attended the meeting and special prayer held at the venue.
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