After a three-month closure, the Sundarbans will reopen to fishermen, forest workers and tourists tomorrow, bringing hope of renewed income to thousands of people dependent on the forest.
But for many in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar and surrounding coastal areas, the reopening also means returning to mounting debt and renewed fears of forest pirates.
The Forest Department has started issuing permits ahead of the reopening, prompting fishermen and tourism operators to repair their boats and make preparations.
The Sundarbans remains closed during June, July and August every year to protect biodiversity and allow fish to breed. The closure, however, leaves many forest-dependent families without their main source of income.
Latif Gazi, a fisherman from Datinakhali village in Shyamnagar, said he borrowed around Tk60,000 from moneylenders and NGOs to support his family during the closure.
“Since the Sundarbans was closed, I had to borrow money to run my household. The forest is reopening, but our biggest fear now is the pirates,” he said.
Jahirul Islam, a fisherman from Gabura, said the threat posed by forest pirates had become a greater concern than attacks by wild animals.
“Previously, our biggest fear was tigers. Now, forest pirates are the main threat,” he said.
Jahirul alleged that fishermen are being forced to pay monthly extortion money to pirate groups in exchange for special “slips”. Those who refuse, he claimed, risk being held hostage and physically assaulted, while their families may be asked to pay ransom.
Local fishermen said authorities have repeatedly assured them of action against piracy but alleged that effective joint operations to ensure their security remain inadequate.
They also alleged that during the closure, criminal groups entered protected areas of the forest and engaged in illegal activities, including fishing with poison and hunting deer with traps.
The tourism sector has also suffered during the closure.
Sirajul Islam, an official of the tourist trawler owners’ association in Munshiganj, said many vessels had remained idle for three months, causing damage to their wooden structures due to prolonged exposure to saline water.
Boat owners had to take fresh loans to repair the vessels and apply protective coatings, he said.
“After the forest reopens, we do not know whether our earnings will be enough to repay the loan instalments or support our families,” Sirajul said.
Irfan Hossain, officer-in-charge of the Burigoalini Forest Station, said fishermen, forest workers and tourists would be allowed to enter the Sundarbans from September 1 after the legally mandated conservation period ends.
He said measures were being taken to maintain law and order in the forest and ensure the safety of people dependent on its resources.
For coastal communities, the reopening therefore brings both opportunity and anxiety. After three months without income, they are eager to return to the forest, but many remain uncertain whether they can earn enough to repay their debts while staying safe from the growing threat of piracy.