Cyclone Remal: Animal death toll in Sundarbans rises to 100
UNB
Publish: 31 May 2024, 02:54 PM
Khulna,
May 31 (UNB)-The death toll of animals from the flooding in the Sundarbans has
climbed to 100 after Cyclone Remal hit the world's largest mangrove forest on
Sunday.
According to the Forest
Department, the carcasses of 96 deer and four wild bears were recovered from
the forest till Thursday evening, indicating a great loss to wildlife.
The animals were found
dead in several areas including Kotka, Kochikhali, Karamjal, Pakhi Char, Dimar
Char, Shelar Char and Narikel Baria.
Moreover, 18 deer and
one python were rescued in a critical condition. After giving first aid, they
were released into the forest.
Alongside the wildlife
losses, damages to various infrastructures in the forest were estimated at
around Tk 6.27 crore.
However, the
non-monetary damages were even more severe, according to the forest department.
Over 100ponds in the
forest were flooded with saline water, causing distress to both wildlife and
the local residents.
An 11-kilometer area
known as Gol Bagan was also damaged.
However, it will take
more time to fully assess the extent of damages to the trees and animals in the
forest.
Officials of the Forest
Department said this time the forest faced an unusual situation due to cyclone
Remal as it experienced two high tides and two low tides within a 24-hour
period, flooding parts of the forest.
Mihir Kumar Dey, forest
conservator in the Khulna range, said that the Sundarbans faced an
unprecedented situation this time after the cyclone.
It will take more time
to ascertain the full impact and gather accurate information, he added.
End/UNB/Corr/SU/FH