The joint assessment report of the UN and the Bangladesh on the Sundarban oil spill has made 10 specific recommendations to reduce risk and improve disaster management.
The report released yesterday said the government should control vessel movement through the Sela River inside the world’s largest mangrove forest.
It also suggested a ban should be imposed on vessel movement during nighttime.
The report titled “Sundarbans Oil Spill Assessment” was released at the Cirdap Auditorium in Dhaka. Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins were present.
The report also said no significant visible impact could be seen in the forest floor during inspection, and long-term monitoring was required to know the actual damage.
However, it said oil contamination in the aquatic ecosystem may hamper physiological activities, including breeding of aquatic organisms, and disrupt the food chain and the food web.
Among other recommendations, the report suggested the government should adopt special training, equipment and experience to improve response to environmental emergenciesm, and minimise impacts on local communities and ecosystems.