Govt to re-establish telecommunications in Sundarbans

The government has taken a project to re-establish telecommunication structures in the remote areas of the Sundarbans, aiming to strengthen monitoring in the world's largest mangrove forest and protect the forest resources.

56 telecommunication structures will be set up across the Sundarbans under Climate Change Trust Fund. Forest Department sources say the project will be placed at a cost of Tk 34.8 million.

Considering the 56 points, 28 will be established in the Sundarbans East Division, 27 in the West Division and one in the district forest conservator's office.

Once implemented, the project will help the officers and staff of the Forest Department to maintain constant communication and exchange information.

Telecommunications was destroyed in the forest due to various natural disasters, especially after Cyclone Sidr. The remote areas of the Sundarbans remained out of the network since then.

The project will place 50 Very High Frequency (VHF) towers and six other supporting towers. In addition, 50 solar batteries and 100 walkie-talkie sets will be procured.

“Performing duties in deep parts of the forest becomes a challenge without communication. Making errors frequently and failure to make emergency contact in time costs dearly,” said Yusuf Hawlader, a forest guard of Sundarbans East Division.

Forest officers hope that the initiative will strengthen patrolling activities and help in forest conservation as well, reports UNB.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of East Sundarban, Mahmudul Hasan says, it’s difficult to conduct administrative duties under such conditions, hence re-establishing telecommunications in the Sundarbans is necessary.