‘Repeated vessel capsizes threaten Sundarbans ecology’

The repeated incidents of capsize of vessels carrying coal and different chemicals in the Sundarbans water routes have put the flora and fauna of the world’s largest mangrove forest at stake.

A total of eight commercial ships-one oil tanker, six vessels carrying coal and fertiliser, and a launch-sank in rivers running through the Sundarbans in the last five years from 14 March 2013 to 14 April 2018, reports UNB.

According to the Sundarbans East Zone, ‘MV Motahar’ capsized on 14 March 2013 while ‘MV Shahidut’ on 24 November 2014, ‘MV Southern Star-7’ carrying furnace oil on 9 December 2014, ‘MV Jabalenoor’ on 5 May 2015, ‘MV Zia Raj’ on 28 October 2015, ‘MV Sea Horse-1’ on 19 March 2016, ‘MVAichgati’on 13 January 2017 and ‘MV Bilash’ on 14 April 2018.

A tanker carrying over 357,000 lakh litres of furnace oil sank in the Shela River at Jaimanigol under the east zone of the Sundarbans, severely affecting the aquatic creatures, biodiversity and plants in the mangrove forest.

The oil had spilled over into 45 miles along the river, a major sanctuary for aquatic animals in the Sundarbans. At least 20 canals and a major river, Pashur, are connected with the river.

In the latest accident on Saturday night, ‘MV Bilash’ carrying 775 tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur river near the Sundarbans.

Commander Oli Ullah, harbour master of Mongla port, said the Jashore-bound vessel capsized in the river around10:00pm after loading coal from mother vessel, ‘MV Observatory’, at the port.

After the accident, Mongla port authority chairman commodore AKM Faruk Hasan said they ordered the owner to salvage the cargo within the next 15-20 days. “If they fail to do so, the port authorities will sell it in auction and then we’ll work to retrieve the cargo vessel,” he had said.

However, although three days have elapsed since the accident, no initiative has been taken to salvage the sunken vessel.

Vessel owners said they will start the salvage operation soon. In the meantime, they sent two vessels to the spot for the release of coal from the cargo vessel. The vessel cargo will be dragged to the shore by the next two days.

Environment specialists suggested immediate salvage of the coal-laden vessel to lessen the impact of coal spill on the Sundarbans ecology.

Talking to UNB, Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Zone, said the vessel capsized very close to the Sundarbans.”Now the cargo is lying under water in the Mongla Port channel of the river, he said.

During ebb-tide, a portion of the cargo is seen slightly, but it completely goes under water during the high tide, he said, adding that coal is spilling into the water.

The DFO said they have sent a letter to the Mongla harbour master to salvage the vessel as early as possible.

Mentioning that the Sundarbans’ biodiversity is affected due to the vessel capsize, he said the plying of commercial vessels should be banned through the mangrove forest.

Prof Mahmood Hossain of Khulna University’s Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline said coal contains sulfur and heavy metals that are harmful for the ecosystem.

“If the cargo remains sunken in the Sundarbans, it’ll affect the ecology. For this, the course of channel might also be changed, triggering river erosion,” he said.

The expert also suggested examining the fitness and capacity of vessels and employing skilled masters to avoid such accidents.