A group of cultural activists, along with environmental rights advocate Poribesh Bachao Andolon, are holding a two-day exhibition titled “Ah! Sunderban” at Chhobir Haat in the capital’s Shahbagh area this weekend.
The event features photography, art and cartoon exhibitions, art installations and performances protesting the spoliation of the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Kafil Ahmed, renowned for his contemporary protest song, will read out a speech concerning the issues.
The programme has been arranged at a time when communication has been opened once again through the Sundarbans just a month after the hazardous incident which saw an oil tanker capsize on the Shela River, which spilled more than 350,000 litres of furnace oil in the water, putting the Sundarbans and its ecosystem at grave risk.
The local inhabitants have risked their health to clean up the spill that has left the delicate ecosystem of the river and the forest in tatters. The authorities concerned, on the other hand, have shown a lacklustre attitude to tackle the situation.
The spill is the new addition to the threats to the forest caused by humans, one of which is the government-approved power plant in Rampal, 14km away from the Sundarbans.