C T Online Desk: May 6, 2024 – Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today informed the cabinet that the fire in Sundarbans remains under control but he didn’t mention the fire has been doused completely.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, cabinet secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said the home minister informed the cabinet that the fire in the Sundarbans is now under control.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the cabinet meeting at her office here.
The cabinet secretary said the home minister also informed the meeting that the situation in the Sundarbans will be monitored for few days as forest fire is not like usual fire.
In case of forest fire, it can be seemed that fire has been doused but it can again spread blaze, he said.
Md. Mahbub Hossain said direct flight operation between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan is going to resume again as the cabinet has approved the draft of an agreement relating to flight operations between the two countries.
In 1993, direct flight operation between the two countries began through an agreement but the flight operation in this route was shut in 2005, he said.
The cabinet secretary said now Uzbekistan expressed interest to resume the flight operation.
Draft of Antiquities Act was placed in the cabinet meeting but it didn’t get approval, he said.
The cabinet gave directives to revise some portions in the draft to place it again, he said.
A major fire that erupted in the Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Zone on Saturday afternoon has been successfully contained after over 29 hours of continuous efforts by multiple emergency teams.
Mongla Station Officer Md Kaymuzzaman from the Fire Service confirmed that the coordinated efforts of the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Forest Guard, and Fire Service brought the blaze under control by around 8 pm Sunday. “The fire is under control but will remain under observation,” he stated, highlighting the caution with which the situation is being handled.
The incident drew immediate attention from senior officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat Mohammad Khalid Hossain, and Superintendent of Police Abul Hasnat Khan, who visited the site on Sunday afternoon.
Post-visit, CCF Chowdhury briefed the media, estimating that approximately 5 acres of forest land had been affected. Water has been sprayed over the affected area, and starting Monday morning, drones will be used to ensure no hidden fires remain, he explained.
Furthermore, Chowdhury announced the formation of a high-level committee to assess the fire’s impact on the Sundarbans’ biodiversity. The committee is expected to deliver a report with recommendations within the next ten working days.
The response underscores the ongoing commitment to preserving the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich biodiversity and as a habitat for the endangered Bengal tiger.
