A recent report by the United Nations Environment Program should set off particular alarm bells for Bangladesh.
The UNEP report on the global loss of forests shows that mangrove forests are being destroyed at three to five times the normal rate for forest loss.
It is imperative that policymakers see the UNEP report for the wake-up call that it is, and take urgent, co-ordinated action to preserve our nation’s mangroves.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest is of inestimable value to Bangladesh. Not only is it a unique Unesco world heritage site as home to the natural habitat of the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, it also serves as a vital sea surge barrier which is of inestimable value for our low-lying geographically vulnerable nation.
Forests are also a priceless reservoir for carbon. Attempts to estimate the economic losses caused by current global rates of deforestation are thought to be as high as $42bn annually.
Bangladesh cannot afford to take the risk of not taking more action to protect and preserve the Sunderbans. If we simply carry on with business-as-usual, the loss of mangroves could escalate, wreaking havoc not only on the delicate balance of our ecosystem but on millions of livelihoods and our economy.
The government must support global action against deforestation and implement more effective measures to stop the dwindling of the country’s mangrove forests. We have a responsibility both to ourselves and the world at large to protect this important, threatened ecosystem and natural treasure.