State minister inspects 18 resorts beside the Sundarbans, warns of closure if harm is proven

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam has inspected on the ground the legality of 18 resorts built beside the Sundarbans and whether these tourism establishments are causing any harm to the forest's wildlife, nature and biodiversity.

From Wednesday morning to midday, he visited the resorts built in the forest-adjacent area under the Dhangmari station of the Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. During the visit he observed the resorts' operations, environmental conservation measures, noise pollution and the safety of wild animals, among other issues.

The state minister was accompanied by officials of the Department of Environment's Khulna office and of the Forest Department in Bagerhat and Mongla. They toured the resorts' various installations and observed whether the establishments' activities are compatible with the Sundarbans' environmental concerns.

After the inspection, the state minister said media reports had said resorts were built illegally within the Forest Department's ecologically critical area. His visit was to verify on the spot whether any illegal activity is being carried out there and whether the establishments are harming the Sundarbans' wildlife and nature.

He said it is being examined with importance whether the resorts are causing noise pollution, and whether any activity such as deer poaching or anything that disrupts the safety of the forest's wild animals is taking place. If evidence is found of any activity that harms the environment or threatens the Sundarbans' natural environment and biodiversity, it will be stopped, he said.

He also warned that necessary action would be taken against those involved in illegal activities.

Stressing the use of environment-friendly technology in running the resorts, the state minister added that the establishments have ample opportunity to use solar power, so noise pollution cannot be created by running generators for electricity. In operating tourism establishments next to a sensitive natural environment like the Sundarbans, environmental concerns must be given the highest importance. Whether the resorts were built within the ecologically critical area and whether they are legal is also being verified, he said.

He further said ensuring the security of the Sundarbans is the government's responsibility. Anyone who violates that security will face strict action. If necessary, exemplary measures will be taken so that others are warned and play a responsible role in protecting the Sundarbans' environment.

After the inspection, the state minister said that during the tour he did not notice anything indicating that the resorts are currently harming the Sundarbans' wildlife and nature. However, no final decision will be taken on the basis of the field observation alone. A meeting will be held back at the ministry on the information gathered and the related issues, and a final decision on the resorts will be taken after a detailed review at that meeting.

Notably, on October 4 the Department of Environment announced the closure of the 18 resorts built in the area adjoining the Sundarbans. Questions had been raised about the legality of building these establishments in an ecologically critical area and about their impact on the Sundarbans' environment. Against that backdrop, the environment state minister visited on Wednesday to verify the resorts' actual condition and environmental impact on the ground.