The Sundarbans is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, streams and canals, which overflow during high tide, allowing water to enter the forest.
However, when a fire breaks out in the Sundarbans, an adequate water supply that firefighters can rely on is often unavailable.
The absence of nearby water sources causes the fire to spread uncontrollably, making firefighting operations difficult.
Firefighters and forest officials frequently struggle to control the blazes, often relying solely on tidal water.
If the tide recedes, firefighting efforts must be halted.
To address this issue, the Forest Department is planning to excavate large ponds within the Sundarbans to serve as permanent water sources.
Additionally, initiatives have been taken to dredge the rivers and canals to ensure better water flow.
Once implemented, these measures will not only meet emergency water demands but also help wildlife meet their water needs.
A recent fire in the Shaplar Beel area of the Sundarbans posed a significant challenge for the Forest Department and the Fire Brigade due to the lack of a nearby water source.
To combat the blaze, authorities had to install a pump and pipeline nearly three kilometers away from the Bhola River.
However, the river did not provide a consistent water supply, forcing firefighters to wait for high tide.
When the tide receded, the river dried up, suspending firefighting operations until the next high tide.
The Bhola River, which has become shallow due to sedimentation, fails to retain sufficient water even during high tide.
Firefighters and forest officials claim that had the Bhola River contained an adequate water supply, the fire in Shaplar Beel could have been extinguished much earlier.
This is not the first time that a fire in the Sundarbans has been difficult to control due to water shortages.
In past incidents, a lack of nearby water sources has led to extensive damage as authorities had to install long pipelines from distant rivers.
Experts believe that having a reliable water source close to fire-prone areas would significantly improve firefighting efficiency.
According to the Sundarbans Forest Department, there are approximately 450 rivers, streams and canals within the forest, forming a vast water network.
However, due to years of neglect, most of these waterways have silted up, reducing their capacity to hold water.
Dredging these water bodies would not only alleviate the water crisis but also prevent unauthorized entry of villagers and cattle grazing in the forest.
Sakaria Haider, deputy assistant director (DAD) of the Bagerhat Fire Brigade and Civil Defense, said: "Since there was no nearby water source in Shaplar Beel, we had to install a pipeline from the Bhola River, three kilometers away. Water was available only during high tide, forcing us to suspend operations during low tide. If the river had a consistent water supply, we could have extinguished the fire within a day."
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, said: "The fire-affected area lacked a nearby water source, preventing water spraying operations during low tide. If a continuous water supply had been available, we could have controlled the fire much sooner."
“During low tide, when rivers and canals dry up, locals from adjacent villages illegally enter the Sundarbans with their livestock. Restoring water flow in these waterways could help curb illegal entry and cattle grazing,” he added.
Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying: "Firefighting in the Shaplar Beel area is extremely challenging due to the lack of a nearby water source. To resolve this issue, we are planning to excavate large ponds in open areas within the Sundarbans."
"Additionally, we will lower riverbanks to allow tidal water to enter the forest more easily. These initiatives will not only support firefighting efforts but also ensure an adequate water supply for wildlife," he further added.
