Carrying flammable substances inside Sundarbans banned

Bagerhat, Apr 3 (UNB) – Bangladesh has prohibited carrying any type of flammable substances inside the Sundarbans to prevent occurrences of fire at the world heritage site in summer.

The Department of Forest (DOF) issued the notice as different areas including Boidomari, Katakhali, Boroitola, Jhiudhora, Gulishakhali, Amurbunia, Nangli and Kolomteji inside the world’s largest mangrove forest are fire prone. 

Considering the dry season, the DOF issued the notice for the safety of the forest, said Md Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest official of Sundarbans East Division.

He said it is always prohibited to carry and use of chemicals, torches, flammable substances, cigarettes, Bidis and fireboxes by the visitors and honey collectors inside the forest. 

However, the notice was served again as the honey collection season has begun from April 1 which will continue till June 30, said the forest official.

In past years, several incidents of bush fire were reported in the Sundarbans.