BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

ECONOMIC DEPLETION OF THE SUNDERBANS: A NEED FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION

Author: AHM Mustain Billah, Istiaq Uddin Ahmad

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/BIISSj2002v23n4a3

ABSTRACT

Sunderban Reserve Forest is the most diverse and richest natural resources area in Bangladesh. In every respect, the Sunderbans is considered to be the most important and the most valuable forest ecosystem in the country. It constitutes 51 percent of the total reserve forest estates of the country. II provides the largest share of forest produce accounting for 45 percent of all limber and fuel wood energy, and employment support for more than a million people. It has immense ecological importance such as protection from cyclones and tidal surges, production of wood for commercial and subsistence purposes, production of shrimp, habitat for wildlife, special habitat to Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), conservation of biodiversity, unique facilities for ecotourism. Major pathway in nutrient cycling and pollution abatement. Considering the above importance of the Sunderbans, in this study, an attempt has been made to give an account of its diverse physical resources. There are so many high value intangible resources that cannot be accounted for physically. The present study attempted to highlight the economic and ecological importance of the largest mangrove of the world, and to explain how salinity intrusion leads to degradation, which lies beyond the national jurisdiction. The economic valuation of some major tangible resources clearly demonstrated that the resource stocks in the Suderbans are declining over time. Valuation of other intangible resource will make us wonder how much of high potential resources are being wasted that can never be replaced and compensated. This signifies the most concern for the development and environment of the country. Only national efforts thus are not enough to resolve the issue. In order to preserve the world heritage and national capital stock of the country, two aspects are focused in this study: an economic appraisal to understand the gravity of loss and the salinity intrusion, which lie beyond the national jurisdiction and cause the depletion of the Sunderbans. Finally, the policy implications underscore the need for regional co-operation as an obligation of international agreements.