TIB: Save Sundarbans, save Bangladesh

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the authorities to take urgent steps to save the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, for the sake of the country.

The force of the destructive cyclonic storm Bulbul, and thus the scale of the resulting damage in the coastal areas, was reduced only thanks to the Sundarbans, TIB said.

In a press statement issued on Monday, TIB urged the relevant authorities to immediately stop construction of the coal-fueled Rampal power plant, and cease other anti-environmental industrialization initiatives in the vicinity of the mangrove forest.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: "The Sundarbans are not only playing a role as safeguards against natural calamities, the forest is also the source of livelihoods for people living in the coastal regions.

"That is why Bangladesh must take the utmost steps to save Sundarbans," he added.