Cyclone Remal has caused severe damage to the Sundarban Forest Department's forest stations and ecotourism points.
Freshwater storage ponds have also been affected, creating a crisis for the Royal Bengal Tiger, Mayabi Deer, and other wildlife. Forest workers are also facing a shortage of fresh water.
Mihir Kumar Do, Conservator of Forests (CF) for the Sundarbans Division, said: "Fresh water is now the biggest crisis in the Sundarbans because the ponds were the sole source of fresh water for the forest's wildlife, foresters, and forest workers. All these ponds are now submerged in salt water, leading to a severe shortage of food and water. This problem won't be resolved soon. Our plan is to irrigate each pond to remove the salt, then wait for rainwater to refill them. A total of 80 freshwater ponds have been damaged in the flood."
He added that by May 31, a total of 111 dead deer and four pigs had been found in various parts of the forest, including the Katka and Dubla areas of the Sundarbans. Additionally, 18 more deer and one python were found injured. Besides, Cyclone Remal primarily caused damage to the infrastructure worth Tk6.27 crore in the Sundarbans.
Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarban West Division Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain said: "In Khulna and Satkhira under the West Sundarban jurisdiction, infrastructural damage amounts to Tk2.61 crore. This includes the loss of one pontoon gangway, 18 jetties, 14 freshwater ponds due to salinity, nine offices, 2,630 feet of roads, forest workers' barracks, three solar plates, eight wireless towers, and two generators."
He added: “While infrastructural damage can be repaired with money, the loss of biodiversity in the Sundarbans due to Cyclone Remal is immeasurable. The Sundarbans need time to recover naturally, which could take 30-40 years. Approximately 11km of Golpata forest in Burigoalini, Nalian, and Baniakhali areas have been damaged, along with thousands of bird nests containing eggs and chickens. The extent of this loss is difficult to quantify. Although deer carcasses can be counted, the overall drift impact cannot. For 48 hours, the Sundarbans experienced no low tide and were submerged under 3-9 feet of water, severely affecting animals unable to survive underwater for extended periods. Estimating the loss of these animals is nearly impossible.”
Md Nurul Kabir, divisional forest officer of Sundarban East, said: "In East Sundarban, Cyclone Remal caused Tk3.5 crore in infrastructural damage. Jetties at Dubla, Shyla, Alor Kol, Katka, and Kochikhali were damaged, and ponds became salty.”
“Various animals, including deer and pigs, died, and their carcasses were buried. Surviving animals were treated and released back into the forest. Karamjal, Katka, Kochikhali, and Dublar Char roads were also damaged. Overall, 20 stations and 50 ponds were affected.”
“Specifically, damage to Burigoalini station in the Satkhira range of West Sundarbans is estimated at Tk25 lakh, Kalagachia Ecotourism at Tk15 lakh, and patrol outposts at Mandarbaria, Haldebunia, Notabeki Sanctuary, Kaikhali, Kobadak, and Kadamtala stations at Tk1.65 crore," he added.
Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, assistant conservator of Forests of the Satkhira Range, said that extensive damage has occurred to Kalagachia Ecotourism, Burigoalini, Kaikhali, Kobadak, and Kadamtala stations, along with their watercraft and infrastructure. The assessment of damage to vegetation and wildlife casualties is still ongoing.
Two injured deer from the Burigoalini area and one from the Kadamtala station area were rescued and released back into the forest after receiving treatment.
Efforts are underway to irrigate and dry the freshwater reservoirs around the stations to prepare for future rainfall.
Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, a professor of environmental science at Khulna University, emphasized the urgent need to create freshwater reservoirs for wild animals.
He said: “Small ponds could be cleared of brackish water using shallow machines, allowing rainwater to accumulate and quickly form freshwater reservoirs for the animals.”
Dr Mostafa Sarwar, a teacher at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, said: “The tidal surge caused by Cyclone Remal has created a saline environment in the Sundarbans.”
He expressed hope that the ongoing rainy season would help reduce salinity and highlighted the need to take measures to establish areas for retaining freshwater.