The upper Bidya and Raimangal regions in the Sunderbans, key
human and wildlife habitat in the eastern
parts of the mangroves, are under severe threat of inundation due to the
sea-level rise.
A recent
study by the World Bank and the Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland
Management (IESWM) has suggested to de-populate parts of some islands along the
fringe areas on this parts so that the existing embankments can be moved back
to allow a wider tidal channel to develop. This will, in turn, lead to
deposition of sediments which can raise the land faster than the sea level
rise.
The study
has also alerted if the sedimentation
can’t keep pace with the sea level rise- believed to happening at 3 millimetres
annually- the Sunderbans may see a huge loss of mangroves which will put the
survival of the endangered Royal Bengal tiger at risk. A recent camera trap
report has captured presence of at least 55 tigers on this part of the
mangroves.
Agreeing
to the report WWF-INDIA’s Sunderbans chapter head Anurag Danda said there is a
need to De-populate some islands, as once these erode the man groves will get
new sediments which will help it flourish in the future.
But for now, the fate of 3.5 million
people living within 20 km of the mangroves’ northern and eastern boundaries
and more than 50 tigers believed to be ruling the forests of its eastern region
hang in the balance.
However,
the IESWM senior scientist Somenath Bhattacharyya is of firm opinion that with
proper modelling a d consequent management, it is possible to save the
Sunderbans even with 1 metre sea level rise.
The West
Bengal Govt. has to handle this matter very sincerely as this is very important
issue of the ecosystem. It’s already proved that the Sunderbans is the only
habitat where the tigers have maintained their own regions. Why this endangered
species do not have the attention of the WB Govt. is a very interesting
question. May be they have no voting power, that is why they are neglected so
far.
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