Wildlife in the Sundarbans has suffered heavy losses from Cyclone Remal. So far the forest department has recovered 30 dead deer from the Katka area of the forest alone. Searches are still going on across the forest, and the department says the number of dead deer will rise.

The storm also damaged 25 patrol outposts inside the forest, and salt water got into and spoiled at least 80 freshwater ponds.

Khulna region conservator of forests (CF) Mihir Kumar Do said on Monday, 27 May, that 20 hours of continuous battering by Cyclone Remal and its tidal surge from Sunday afternoon caused extensive damage to the Sundarbans' wildlife and nature. Many deer in particular have died. So far the forest department has recovered 30 dead deer from the Katka area alone. Forest guards are searching the whole forest for dead wildlife, and more are likely to be found.

Trees in the forest were also badly damaged, as were forest department offices, patrol boats, tin roofs, windows and doors, solar panels and other infrastructure. The storm and surge swept the jetty and pond at the office ghat of the Katka sanctuary into the Bay of Bengal. The tin roofs of 25 patrol outposts, including offices at Dubla, Katka, Kochikhali and Bogi, were blown away, and the freshwater ponds inside the Sundarbans were submerged by salt water in the surge.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.