Khulna: The Sundarbans reopened to tourists and forest-dependent people on Tuesday following a three-month ban aimed at protecting fish breeding and preserving the biodiversity of the world’s largest mangrove forest. Fishermen and other forest-dependent residents from nearby villages and upazilas have completed preparations to re-enter the forest, equipped with the necessary passes and permits to catch fish and crabs.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the reopening has provided relief to thousands of families who rely on the forest for their livelihoods, having been without work for the past three months. However, concerns over security persist among these communities, particularly regarding extortion, harassment, and potential abductions by forest criminals.
Forest-dependent individuals have pointed out that the number of people relying on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods is significantly higher than the number officially registered with the government. The preparations have generated excitement at river ghats and fishing villages adjacent to the Sundarbans. Fishermen are busy repairing nets, applying tar to boats, and checking trawler engines, while also preparing equipment for crab collection.
The three-month fishing ban, imposed during the monsoon breeding season, aims to allow fish to reproduce and protect the forest’s biodiversity. During this period, Sundarbans-dependent families had to seek alternative income sources to survive. Tourist vessels, including ships and launches, are also ready to resume operations, as the Sundarbans remains a major tourist destination in the country.
Khulna Divisional Forest Officer Hasanur Rahman stated that the three-month closure positively impacted the forest ecosystem. He noted significant vegetation growth and increases in deer and other wildlife and bird populations. Fish production in the rivers and canals within the Sundarbans also saw a rise during the closure.
The reopening is expected to reinvigorate economic activity among communities engaged in fishing, crab collection, tourism, and other forest-related activities. Authorities will maintain regulation through a pass-and-permit system. According to forest department data, revenue from the Sundarbans totaled Tk 6,75,81,291 in the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to Tk 7,57,17,994.97 in the 2024-25 fiscal year.