Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged authorities concerned to take utmost steps to save the world's largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, for the sake of the country.
The force of the destructive cyclonic storm Bulbul was obstructed only due to the Sundarbans and thus the extent of losses at the coastal areas also got lessened, TIB said.
In a media statement issued on Monday (Nov 11), TIB urged the authorities concerned to stop immediately construction of the coal-fired Rampal power plant, and anti-environmental industrialization initiatives surroundings to the mangrove forest, endangering Sundarbans.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: "Sundarbans has not only played the role of a shield against natural calamities, but the forest is also the source of livelihoods of people living in the coastal regions.
"That is why Bangladesh must take the utmost steps to save Sundarbans," he added.