The Powerful cyclone Bulbul could not spread and cause severe damage due to the Sunderbans; the cyclone became debilitated as it swept over the forest-covered delta and turned into a depression, which saved people living on the coast.
The Sunderbans saved the coastal areas from Sidr and Aila cyclones similarly in 2007 and 2009.
Specialists say that the Sunderbans is like a dam near the coast. Any cyclone which passes through the 100 km forest loses intensity. The forest bears the brunt of the force and saves the coastal communities.
But instead of safeguarding the forest, we are destroying it; this time round, after the force of Bulbul lessened, social media became active with environment activists calling for greater protection and attention for the forest.
State minister for disaster management and relief, Md Enamur Rahaman called for more protection for the Sunderbans.
On Saturday (Nov 9) night around 9pm, the cyclone crossed into Bangladesh through the Sunderbans but weakened later. By next morning, it turned into a depression.
Meteorologist Omar Faruk said: “The forest took away the ferocity of the storm and so it turned into a depression before reaching further inland. The bio-diversity of the Sunderbans is one of the forces saving nature and lives.”
But the forest faces pollution from sinking oil tankers and is being ravaged by poachers and hunters.
Leader of the national committee to save oil, gas, mineral resources, Asaduzzaman Masum, said: “Since the Sunderbans save us, shouldn’t we also save the forest?”
Executive Director of the Sunderbans, Anwarul Kadir, said: “Sunderbans is like a natural barrier against natural calamities.”