Plastic waste discarded by coastal communities and sea-going fishermen is increasingly being carried by tides into the Sundarbans, posing a growing threat to its fragile ecosystem and biodiversity.
Single-use plastic bottles, food packets, polythene bags, fishing-related materials and pesticide containers are accumulating along the forest’s rivers, canals and tourist destinations. Environmentalists and tourism operators say the crisis cannot be addressed by raising awareness among tourists alone. Coastal communities, fishermen, local businesses and government agencies must also be involved.
The Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans (TOAS) removed around 15 sacks of plastic waste from five tourist spots during a three-day cleanup campaign from September 7 to 9. The waste was collected from the forest and transported to Khulna for disposal.
TOAS had carried out a similar campaign at the same locations in May, when the tourism season was closed, removing 12 sacks of plastic waste. Despite the absence of tourists for nearly four months, large quantities of plastic had accumulated again. The latest cleanup also uncovered numerous glass bottles believed to have been used for pesticides.
Forest officials say much of the waste is not necessarily generated inside the forest. Instead, it is carried from coastal areas through rivers and tidal currents.
Tourists generally come to the Sundarbans with some awareness about environmental protection. Now it is equally important to create awareness among coastal communities and sea-going fishermen, forest officials said.
Plastic discarded into canals, rivers and coastal waterways is eventually carried into the Sundarbans by the ebb and flow of tides. Katka, Kachikhali, Jamtala, Dimer Char and Andharmanik are among the forest’s most popular tourist destinations, where plastic bottles, packets, polythene bags and fishing-related waste are increasingly visible.
The tourism season began on September 1, and TOAS launched its cleanup campaign at the beginning of the season. The association normally conducts cleanup drives twice a year, but the volume of waste found this year has prompted members to consider continuing the initiative throughout the season. They plan to collect plastic during regular trips and bring it back on their vessels for proper disposal.
The problem extends far beyond the forest. Plastic and polythene use is rising across coastal districts including Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Patuakhali and Barguna. Single-use plates, cups, spoons, bottles and food packaging have become common at roadside eateries, tea stalls, restaurants and social gatherings. Much of this waste is discarded beside canals, ponds and rivers, allowing tidal currents to carry it towards the Sundarbans.
Research has also highlighted the extent of microplastic contamination in the coastal ecosystem. A study titled Spatial Distribution and Characterization of Microplastics in the Coastal Water and Sediment of the Bay of Bengal Coast, Bangladesh, conducted between 2020 and 2022 by a Khulna University student, found microplastics in coastal water, sediment, snails and fish. The study recorded an average of 2.22 microplastic items per litre of water in the Sundarbans and 734 items per kilogram of sediment. Microplastics were also detected in snails and marine fish.
At Dimer Char, plastic waste was found scattered from the beach deep into the forest, while fishing-related plastic was seen floating in with sea currents. Large quantities were removed from Katka and Kachikhali during the latest cleanup. Although the two-kilometre walking trail at Jamtala was relatively clean, significant amounts of plastic were found along the adjacent beach.
Plastic waste is also widespread around markets and settlements in Satkhira’s coastal areas, including Atulia, Gabura, Burigoalini, Munshiganj and Kaikhali. Discarded tea cups, food containers and snack packets are commonly seen along riverbanks in Munshiganj, Nawabeki and Nildumur, as well as around Mongla.
Fishermen say plastic pollution is affecting both their livelihoods and the natural environment. Bacchu Hossain of Datinakhali village in Shyamnagar said plastic had become a regular part of his catch.
“Now, when we cast our nets in the river, we often get chips packets, water bottles and polythene instead of fish,” he said, adding that fish stocks had declined compared with the past.
Another fisherman, Ashik Hossain of Gabura, said plastic was also covering chars where weeds and small plants once grew. He said fishermen often had nowhere to store bottles and food packets because there were no waste bins at landing points or on boats.
Tourists have raised similar concerns. Rahman Mia, who visited Kachikhali with his family from Rajshahi, said tourists should avoid littering but need proper facilities to dispose of waste. Student Samia Haque of Pabna said seeing plastic in the forest was upsetting and stressed that local communities also needed greater awareness.
TOAS members say tourism operators should not be blamed entirely for the pollution. They argue that inadequate waste-management systems in coastal communities are a major source of the problem. TOAS General Secretary Mazharul Haque Kochi said the association had stopped using single-use plastics on its vessels and was counselling tourists about responsible waste disposal.
Sundarbans East Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer Md Rezaul Karim said carrying or disposing of plastic inside the forest is strictly prohibited. However, he said the Forest Department and TOAS cannot solve the problem alone.
He called for coordinated action involving local administrations, the Department of Environment and coastal communities. Sundarbans West Forest Division DFO AZM Hasanur Rahman also welcomed the cleanup initiative and said forest personnel would remove plastic during regular patrols.
With plastic continuing to arrive through the tides, stakeholders say the Sundarbans needs a comprehensive waste-management system extending beyond the forest—from coastal markets and settlements to fishing boats and tourist vessels.
Without coordinated action, the steady flow of plastic could become a long-term threat to one of Bangladesh’s most important natural ecosystems and its vital natural shield against coastal disasters.
