Cyclone Remal has caused widespread damage in the Sundarbans, killing deer and other animals. On the afternoon of Monday, 27 May, forest guards recovered two dead deer and nine injured deer floating in the water in the Katka and Dubla areas of the forest.
The storm also damaged 25 patrol outposts inside the forest, and salt water got into and spoiled at least 80 freshwater ponds.
Twenty hours of storm and surge
Khulna region conservator of forests (CF) Mihir Kumar Do said 20 hours of continuous battering by Remal and its tidal surge from Sunday afternoon caused extensive damage to the Sundarbans' wildlife and natural environment. Besides heavy damage to trees, forest offices, patrol boats, tin roofs, solar panels and infrastructure were damaged. The jetty and pond at the office ghat of the Katka sanctuary were swallowed by the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone blew away the tin roofs of 25 patrol outposts, including forest offices at Dubla, Katka, Kochikhali and Bogi.
The freshwater ponds inside the Sundarbans were also submerged by salt water in the surge. With 80 freshwater source ponds swamped by a surge 8 to 10 feet high, forest staff as well as tigers, deer and other wildlife face a shortage of drinking water. There were also reports of wildlife being swept away and killed by the high surge.
On Monday afternoon, forest staff recovered two dead deer from rivers in the Katka and Dubla areas of the Sundarbans. At the same time, nine more injured deer were rescued floating in the Dubla area.
Forest official Mihir Kumar said more wildlife besides deer may have died, and forest guards are searching for the dead animals.
Karamjal centre damaged
The storm damaged various structures at Karamjal, the only wildlife breeding and tourism centre in the eastern Sundarbans. Howlader Azad Kabir, the officer in charge there, said the wooden walkway used by tourists was damaged and countless trees were broken. But it is not yet possible to say how much damage has been done to the trees and the rest of the Sundarbans, he said.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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