The wounds of the Sundarbans are evident, the bodies of wild animals are found

The animals and nature of Sundarbans have been greatly damaged by Cyclone Remal. The forest department has started work to know the extent of the damage. Dead bodies of wild animals are found in different parts of the forest. The wounds of the forest are slowly becoming apparent.

According to information available till 3 pm on Tuesday (May 28), 26 deer carcasses were found from different places in the forest. About 17 deer were rescued in injured condition. Besides, 25 patrol posts of the forest department were damaged. At least 80 freshwater ponds have been destroyed by saltwater intrusion.

Howladar Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center of Sundarban East Forest Division, said that the wild animals of Sundarbans are used to high tides. Usually, during high tide, wildlife takes shelter in high places and trees. Due to the impact of Cyclone Remal, there has been high water inundation in the forest. As a result, the animals find it difficult to take shelter due to the subsidence of the forest high places. Due to high tide, the deer died because they could not get to a safe shelter.

A dead deer

Mihir Kumar Do, Conservator of Forests (CF) Khulan area of ​​Sundarbans division said that according to the information received till 3 pm on Tuesday, a total of 26 dead deer have been recovered from different places of the forest including Katka and Dubla areas of Sundarbans. Another 17 deer were rescued by forest guards in injured condition. Besides the deer, more wildlife may die. Forest guards are active in searching for those dead animals.

He also said that tin sheds, windows and doors, solar panels, wireless systems and infrastructure of the forest department's patrol offices were damaged in the storm. The jetty and pond at the office ghat of Eastern Forest Division's Cuttack Sanctuary have disappeared into the Bay of Bengal. 25 patrols of various forest offices including Dubla, Katka, Kochikhali, Bagi and other outpost kitchens have blown up tin sheds. As the 80-10 feet high tide inundated 80 fresh water source ponds of Sundarbans into brackish water, the forest workers as well as the animals are facing fresh water shortage.